Evaluation of the Early Years Experts and Mentors Programme. Research Report

Abstract

In June 2021, the Department for Education (DfE) announced the Early Years Education Recovery funding, a £180m package of support to help the sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It comprised training programmes, qualifications, guidance and targeted whole setting support, delivered through a series of complimentary work programmes. This included the Early Years Experts programme, which was piloted between April and July 2022 and rolled out nationally from September 2022 to July 2024, and the Childminder Mentor programme, which ran from April 2023 to July 2024. This report outlines the findings from the evaluation of those programmes. The Early Years Experts and Mentors programme evaluation included: (1) a process evaluation of the pilot programme; (2) a feasibility of impact assessment for the programme's roll out; and (3) a robust impact, process and value for money evaluation of the programme. A small-scale evaluation of the Childminder Mentor Programme was conducted alongside the core Early Years Experts and Mentors programme evaluation. Results from an impact analysis showed the Early Years Experts and Mentors programme had positive impact on practitioners' confidence in supporting children's personal, social and emotional development (PSED) and (less conclusively) communication and language development. Positive findings were also mirrored in the evaluation of the Childminder Mentor Programme, where participants highlighted the value of reflecting on practice with an experienced peer and having access to a (professional) network, tackling isolation and providing professional reassurance. There was strong support for the two programmes to continue, and good evidence that continuing the Early Years Experts and Mentors programme (perhaps in a streamlined form) would benefit staff, settings and the children in their care. Recommendations are provided for the Department for Education, the training provider, and the delivery partner for future consideration.