Evaluation of National Early Years Access Initiative & Siolta Quality Assurance Programme

McKeown, K., Haase, T., and Pratschke, J. (2014)

This report is an evaluation of the National Early Years Access Initiative (NEYAI), a three-year programme (2011-2014) to improve quality and outcomes in the early years sector. NEYAI
comprises 11 projects mainly located in disadvantaged areas of Dublin, Cork and Limerick and two rural locations in Longford/Westmeath and Donegal. It was officially launched by the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs in June 2011 who referred to NEYAI as being made up of local demonstration projects with ‘a focus on evidencebased practice and ongoing project evaluation for the purpose of advising future policy and the mainstream provision’.

The evaluation is documented in five reports:

• Evaluation of NEYAI and Siolta QAP – Summary Report
• Evaluation of NEYAI and Siolta QAP – Main Report
• Evaluation of NEYAI and Siolta QAP – Technichal Report
• Evaluation of the NEYAI Learning Community – Main Report
• Evaluation of the NEYAI Learning Community – Technical Report