Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) Study: Final Report

Authors

Iram Siraj, University of WollongongFollow
Edward Melhuish, University of London, Oxford UniversityFollow
Steven J. Howard, University of WollongongFollow
Cathrine Marguerite Neilsen-Hewett, University of WollongongFollow
Denise Kingston, University of Brighton, University of Sussex, University of Wollongong
Marc de Rosnay, University of WollongongFollow
Elisabeth Duursma, University of WollongongFollow
Xiaoqi Feng, University of WollongongFollow
Betty Luu, University of SydneyFollow

RIS ID

133805

Publication Details

Siraj, I., Melhuish, E., Howard, S., Neilsen-Hewett, C., Kingston, D., de Rosnay, M., Duursma, E., Feng, X. & Luu, B. (2018). Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) Study: Final Report. Sydney, Australia: NSW Department of Education. https://education.nsw.gov.au/early-childhood-education/whats-happening-in-the-early-childhood-education-sector/data-and-research/feel-study-2018

Abstract

The 2018 Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study focuses on the importance of quality, and how to strengthen it in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. Extensive research demonstrates that the benefits of ECEC for children are increased when the service provider and educators are highly skilled and participate in professional development (PD), and the service is of high quality. Upskilling the workforce, including in-service professional development, is considered to be a key to improving quality, and can produce substantial and practical improvements for staff and children alike. Building on the existing body of international research, the findings of the Fostering Effective Early Learning (FEEL) study, address the need for quality improvement in ECEC by showing how a particular form of evidence-based in-service PD can produce substantial and practically meaningful improvements in both staff practices and child outcomes. The FEEL study was conducted by the research team from Early Start, University of Wollongong, on behalf on the NSW Department of Education.