Evaluation of the Better Start Quality Development Service

Better Start is a quality development initiative of The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, established in 2014. It aims to establish a cohesive approach to quality across the early learning and care sector in Ireland.

Better Start’s Quality Development Service (QDS) works with early learning and care settings in a mentoring and training capacity to promote and develop the quality of practice

In May 2020 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned the Centre for Effective Services (CES) and the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) to undertake an Evaluation of the QDS.

The evaluation examined the impact and effectiveness of the QDS from the perspective of all stakeholders, and its adaptability and sustainability over time. The aim was to offer an overarching evaluation of the initiative, highlighting its strengths, challenges and potential learning opportunities.

The evaluation findings indicate that the Better Start QDS has a positive impact on the quality of practice in ELC settings. Key strengths include its strengths-based mentoring model, which leverages relationships and national frameworks to drive quality improvements and its adaptability and responsiveness to the needs of the sector over time. Early Years Specialists were found to play a crucial role in this process, providing mentoring and modelling of best practices.

The evaluation made a number of recommendations, including monitoring the sustainability of outcomes in the longer term, benchmarking quality to evaluate improvements over time, targeted interventions to enhance leadership within ELC settings, and enhancing interagency working relationships.

The report is an important input into the Department's commitments within the current implementation plan that forms part of the First 5, whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families 2019-2028.

Language: An Irish version of this item is not available.

Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.