CES completed the National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme in 2018. The evaluation assessed outcomes, implementation and costs associated with interventions funded by the ABC Programme, which was delivered in twelve areas around the country.

The evaluation gathered data and learning over a two year period, and has the potential to be particularly useful for policy makers, service providers and practitioners.

Key resources include:

A Brief Review of Approaches to Oral Language Development

Summary of a Brief Review of Approaches to Oral Language Development

Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty - ABC Learning Community Report

A quick guide to the ABC Programme

National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme – Full Report

National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme – Executive Summary

National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme - Appendices

The National Evaluation of the Area Based Childhood Programme - Learning for Practice

Briefing papers


Briefing paper 1: Delivering Interventions to Support Children's Social and Emotional Development

Briefing paper 2: Delivering Interventions to Support Children's Learning

Briefing paper 3: Delivering Interventions to Support Parents

Learning papers