Kids First Australia - Research at CPS

Our Research

As an evidence-based organisation, research and evaluation are part of our DNA. By evaluating our programs, we can measure the effectiveness of our practice and the outcomes we can achieve in partnership with our clients.

Often our evaluation process sees us partner with universities and peer organisations. We're pleased to share our insights and help to advance knowledge across our sector.

CURRENT RESEARCH

Early Years Education Program (EYEP)

The EYEP was a unique offering in the early education landscape. An Australian-first randomised control trial is examining the effectiveness of EYEP in providing high quality, intensive early education and care to vulnerable children to ensure that they arrive at school developmentally and educationally equal to their peers. Kids First has co-designed the program with early childhood experts and Murdoch Children's Research Institute. The Australian Research Council has funded the University of Melbourne Department of Economics to undertake the research.

Children & Mothers in Mind (CMiM)

Originating from two Canadian evidence informed programs, CMiM provides therapeutic interventions to support women and children under 4 who are victim survivors of family violence and no longer living with the perpetrator.

Improving the Parenting of Fathers where Family Violence is Present

The Responsible, Responsive and Reparative Fathering (RRRef) research project aims to improve the parenting experience of children whose fathers have enacted domestic/family violence.

Korin Korin Child & Family Centre (2018)

Korin Korin is a new kindergarten in Wollert that applies best practice elements derived from Kids First’s ground-breaking early years education program at West Heidelberg in a universal setting.

EYEP Qualitative Study (2016)

Kids First engaged Charles Sturt University to undertake qualitative research of the relationship pedagogy of our pioneering Early Years Education Program (EYEP). The ethnographic study's purpose was to examine the relationships and lived experiences of all EYEP participants (children, parents and staff) and describe, translate and disseminate the daily activities of the education and care model.

Mentoring Mums (2010)

Mentoring Mums is a volunteer program providing a supportive relationship for socially isolated, highly vulnerable women residing in the North-East region of Melbourne. In January 2009 Melbourne University was engaged to provide an action research evaluation to assist in the future development and implementation of the program. The Final Evaluation Report provided a snapshot of the achievements to date and a glimpse of the data and findings as a basis for the program’s future planning.

Prevention of sexually abusive behaviour by young people (2015)

In partnership with Melbourne University, Kids First explored the prevention of sexually abusive behaviour by young people.