Early Childhood Household Stimulation Project
STATUS: Current
PROJECT LEADER:Desmond, CJ (Dr Chris),
Swartz, SG (Prof. Sharlene), Reddy, V (Mr Vasudhevan)
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS:
Reddy, D (Ms Deshanie),
Groenewald, CJ (Dr Candice),
Ngcobo, AS (Dr Sibongile), Timol, F (Ms Furzana)
DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE: ()
Abstract
The TOR goes on to operationalise this goal in three objectives, namely:
Increase the number of children between the ages 0-5 that receive physical, cognitive and emotional stimulation in their household during early age;
Strengthen parents/guardian and caregiver capacity to provide a positive relationship and a developmental environment that promotes ECD;
Build the capacity of organisations to enable them to provide good quality ECHS supervision and support services.
In designing a baseline study the measures of reach, enhanced caregiver practices, and augmented organisational capacity to support and supervise ECHS need to be provided for.
Purpose and Objectives of the Baseline Study
A synthesis of the intentions described for the baseline study in the TOR suggest the following three objectives:
To inform project design: Information from the baseline study is intended to subtantiate the rationale for providing ECHS activities in the proposed communities generally. In addition the TOR indicates that the baseline study is required to provide substantial guidance to sub-awardees on the format their specific implementations of the ECHS should take. Location specific recommendations are expected to:
Reflect an understanding of what is already known about what works for whom and under what circumstances;
How this knwledge applies to the implementation context, based on the conditions prevailing there, including the current status of ECHS in community households (presumably both formally programmed and incidental);
Assist sub-awardees with targetting, emphasising accessibility to the most marginalized in the implementation context.
2. To support project management and implementation: The baseline study will also be used by FHI360 to inform their activities supporting their sub-awardees.
a. It is expected that the baseline will provide information on the organisational readiness of sub-awardees and how their existing programmes need to be augmented to deliver on the ECHS project;
b. Baseline measures are also required to inform target setting discussion between FHI360 and sub-awardees;
c. Baseline measures are also required to track the quality of FHI360???s inputs to sub-awardees in terms of training and supervision.
3. To provide comparison measures for future evaluations: The baseline study is required to inform the ongoing assessment of project performance and impact in the following ways:
a. Provide first measuers on key variables, including outcome variables, that will demonstrate the effect of the project. The outcomes of interest are specified in four categories in the TORs, namely Child Development, Parenting and Caregiving, Nutrition and Health & HIV; however specific indicators must be decided during the baseline study;
b. Provide for the repeating of measures - by specifying the indicators, as well as data collection and analysis tools and procedures- thereby ensuring the consistency and credibility of future evaluations;
c. Understand the relationships between variables in the implementation context and anticipate these in recommendations for future evaluation design.
