Program Evaluation

Program evaluation is strategy or tool designed to collect information about a program’s activities and results to learn how a program is functioning, improve its design and communicate its impact.

In early years programming, program evaluation often occurs at the child level and at a program level. At a child level, evaluation activities often assess or monitor a child’s development compared to norms (typically Western, mainstream), or frequent observations of children to determine their strengths, challenges and interests. At a program level, evaluation activities often assess the quality of an ECE space, the curriculum, participation levels in programming, parent/caregiver satisfaction.  

While there are evaluation tools available, most do not take into account cultural differences that influence a child’s early experiences. Ongoing, community-based creation and assessment of evaluation methods is critical for Indigenous communities and early child care professionals to feel empowered to use methods that support them in their goal of improving the lives of young children.

National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health

If you are interested in reading more about Indigenous perspectives on program evaluation, take a look at this paper from the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health

Finding Fitting Solutions to Assessment of Indigenous Young Children’s Learning and Development: Do It in a Good Way

Check out this recent publication by Jessica Ball, Professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria

The Impact database is a custom, program-specific evaluation and case management database created for the Early Years in collaboration with a team of academics and developers at the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work. The database was launched in October 2020 for use by Early Years staff at partner organizations to maintain participant files, manage caseloads, and gather evaluation data. All program forms and assessments related to Early Years participating parents/caregivers and their children can be entered in the Impact database.

The Training & Resources for Early Education & Schools (TREES) Network is a space for delivering and accessing culturally appropriate training, professional development, resources, communities of practice and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous early learning professionals working with Indigenous children and families.

By coming together across communities, organizations and cultures, we can impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early education, child assessment and policy in Canada, so that Indigenous children will grow up proud of their culture and knowing that they belong.

The vision of the TREES Network is for early learning professionals to feel supported through training, resources and connections with others. The TREES Network strives to support early learning professionals to ground Indigenous children in their culture, nurturing stronger communities.

ACCESS TRAINING

The TREES Network supports access to culturally appropriate training and professional development for early learning professionals through the Understanding the Early Years course and Early Years Toolbox workshops. View upcoming trainings and workshops for your community through the Events Calendar.

EXPLORE RESOURCES

The TREES Network supports access to the Early Years Toolbox website, as well as access to accompanying resources through the Early Learning Library. Your access to resources is determined by your organization or community affiliation. Explore the Featured Partners page to view resources created by and in collaboration with Early Years partners.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

To promote relationship-building and relational learning, the TREES Network provides opportunities for early learning professionals to build connections across the country. You can check out the Events Calendar to find events related to the early years, view the Interactive Map of early years services in different regions, or learn more about Supportive Circles as spaces to come together with others locally or across communities to share thoughts, ideas and support.

CREATE IMPACT

The TREES Network strives to create spaces through which we can collectively impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early learning in Canada. Learn about how Early Years sites are doing this through Early Years approach innovations, and about the important work many other organizations are doing to influence policy, curriculum, access to funding supports and program evaluation.

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