Three research reports from the Children's Research Centre launched by Minister for Children in Ireland.

The study was funded by Pobal and was led by Dr Michelle Share, Acting Director and Senior Research Fellow, Children's Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with Professor Sheila Greene and Ms Sandra McCarthy of the CRC.

One study examined the ELI's Stretch to Learn programme that takes place in seven Docklands primary schools. Baseline data was collected on contextual, socio-demographic, attitudinal and educational performance indicators. The study involved principals, 2nd and 6th class students, and parents.

A second study focused on the ELI's family home reading programme, the Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP) aimed at mothers and their toddlers living in the Docklands catchment area. The research, that took place over two years, examined the impact of involvement in the in PCHP for parents, children, and home visitors.

An overall report - Final Report of the Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative - examined the successes and challenges of the Early Learning Initiative in the context of its programme, capacity building, and sustainability.

Overall the study has resulted in four reports. The first report Developing Early Years Professionalism, a study of the ELI's professional development programme in community childcare centres (Share, Kerrins & Greene, 2011) was published and launched in May 2011.

All four reports are available for download on the links below:

1. Early Years Professionalism: An Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative's Professional Development Programme in Community Childcare Centres in the Dublin Docklands
2. Baseline evaluation of the Parent Child Home Programme
3. The Early Learning Initiative's Stretch to Learn Programme: Baseline Evaluation in Primary Schools in the Dublin Docklands
4. Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative: Final Report