Table 1
Summary of Tasmanian Universal Early Childhood Services.
| SERVICE | ACRONYM | GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE | SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Health and Parenting Service | CHaPS | Department of Health | Eligibility: Children aged 0–5 years Community based: various settings including stand-alone clinics and CFCs. Delivered by Child Health Nurses Screening health and developmental checks for children:
Appointment based system One open ‘drop in’ session per week Additional targeted services available |
| Launching into Learning | LiL | Department of Education | Eligibility: Children from 0–4 years School based Delivered by early childhood teachers and teachers aides Support child development, parent/child relationships and facilitate the transition to school Play-based activities, excursions Parents/carers present with children Structured 2-hour sessions Available during school Terms Number of sessions determined by each school. For schools in this study the number of sessions ranged from seven per week to once per week. |
| Child and Family Centres | CFC or Centre | Department of Education | Eligibility: Children from 0–5 years Twelve sites in Tasmania All Centres staffed by Centre leader, Community Inclusion Worker, Early childhood teacher. Other staff vary across Centres in response to community need e.g., Aboriginal Early Years Support Workers or speech therapists. Health, education and community services offered at the Centre. Operate 5 days per week Open year round Centres offer parent/child groups and activities throughout the week e.g. parenting course, play based activities. Outreach activities include transport, home visits, attending services alongside families. Parents and children can ‘drop in’ at any time |
Table 2
Participant characteristics.
| PARENTS, N | 39 |
|---|---|
| Gender (males = 8, females = 31) | |
| Female (%) | 80 |
| Age (average, range) years | 32.9 (18–56) |
| Parent age first child (years) | |
| First child < 20 | 12 |
| First child 21–35 | 23 |
| First child > 35 | 4 |
| Number of Children at First Interview | |
| One child | 7 |
| Two/three children | 25 |
| More than three children | 16 |
| Average number children | 2.6 |
| Number of services used (self-report) | |
| Multiple (including CFC) | 24 |
| CHAPS only | 2 |
| LiL only | 7 |
| Lil and CHAPS | 3 |
| Other only | 1 |
| Family Structure First Interview | |
| Single parents | 10 |
| Partner | 29 |
| Education | |
| Year 10 or less | 20 |
| Year 11/12 (includes one year 13) | 13 |
| Certificate | 3 |
| Batchelor | 2 |
| Missing | 1 |
| SERVICE PROVIDERS, N | 45 |
| Gender | |
| Female (%) | 100 |
| Age, years | |
| Average, range | 48 (28–74) |
| Educational attainment | |
| Certificate or below | 9 |
| Batchelor | 36 |
| Early Childhood Service | |
| CHaPS Nurses | 11 |
| Other Health | 2 |
| CFC staff* | 17 |
| LiL Staff | 15 |
| Timing working early childhood sector | |
| Average, range years | 13.1 (0.3–54) |
[i] * CFC staff have health, education or community sector qualifications or experience.