Skip to section navigation

Skip to main navigation

Evaluation 2007

We are committed to monitoring and evaluating the delivery of PEAL training to ensure consistency and quality for all those attending. The Research and Evaluation Department of the NCB (National Children’s Bureau) conducted a postal survey of a random selection of participants who attended the first eight PEAL training events for children’s centres between September 2006 and January 2007. 83 people responded to the survey. Headline findings revealing what participants gained from the training include:

87% felt more motivated to involve parents where they work:
31% were ‘a lot more motivated’
56% were ‘quite a bit’

79% felt the training gave them more confidence in their own ability to involve parents at their setting:
24% had gained ‘a lot' more confidence
55% had gained ‘quite a bit’ more confidence

71% had gained confidence in their ability to encourage parents’ engagement in learning in their own homes:
21% had gained ‘a lot' more confidence
50% had gained ‘quite a bit’ more confidence

A fifth of respondents reported that they were using some of the practical examples suggested. These included completing more home visits; using video and digital cameras to share observations; sharing music sessions with parents; establishing portfolios for record keeping; involving parents in role-play; and developing a listening library. Others had started to develop new settling in procedures, were having an ‘inspire day’ in which parents would help select from the ideas, and had thought through priorities in order to create more time to talk to parents.

An analysis of the first seven children’s centre events was very encouraging:
91% of participants felt that the day met its stated aims and objectives
8% said it had partially met aims and objectives
97% felt the trainers met needs well or very well

A copy of the full report is available from hwheeler@ncb.org.uk
PEAL Team evaluation is an ongoing process. All participants on a PEAL training day are asked to fill in an evaluation form on the day. Download the feedback form [PDF 67KB]. 

If you have any feedback or comments – either on the training or the website – please contact us.