The Developmental Status of 2-3 Year Old Children Entering Group-Based Settings in Northern Ireland: Survey Findings

Between October 2008 and January 2009 a survey was conducted of 655 two-three year old children who attended 90 early years settings in Northern Ireland together with the practitioners in the settings and the children's parents. The survey was part of a larger research project which evaluated the impact of a new developmental movement and play-based service for two-year olds, called the Eager and Able to Learn Programme (EAL), designed by Early Years. The evaluation was conducted from October 2008 to June 2010 and the findings from that evaluation are to be published separately. This present report sets out the findings of a survey which sought to explore: (1) the stage of development of two-year-old children across a variety of developmental domains, as they entered into early years settings designed for 2-3 year old children; (2) the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of their parents, related to the developmental needs of two-year-olds; and (3) the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the practitioners in the early years settings, related to the developmental needs of two year olds.