We found that conventional assessment tools, particularly for refugee and development contexts, are expensive, complex and primarily adult-led. They take children out of their familiar environment, alone with unfamiliar adults, and only measure memorised information. Our new tool is designed to assess the unique and holistic development of each child through a child-centred, play based approach.
The PPAT uses culturally appropriate, open-ended activities which take place within a familiar setting, with their friends and educator. The activities provide children the freedom to explore concepts in their own way, demonstrating where they are in their unique learning journey.
Whilst observing groups of children together and following their usual daily routine, assessors observe a wide range of outcomes including resilience, social skills, problem solving, determination and confidence. It considers programmatic elements such as child-led play, relationships, safety, resources, teaching, learning, inclusivity and ongoing assessment.
Simple, standardised data is obtained through both activities and observation, and measured against evidenced, externally verified developmental outcomes, to identify strengths and gaps. Data is presented in a clear way, allowing educators and organisations to move quickly to improve, or share evidence of their effectiveness and progress.
Following rigorous testing in Botswana and Uganda in 2022, we partnered with the University of Chichester to develop the tool. This led to a pilot in 2023, externally evaluated by the university team. The pilot included 144 children across two programmes in refugee and development contexts. It showed the assessment tool is accessible, simple to interpret, and produces robust data sets which inform future practice. In both contexts, the results led to significant programmatic changes, resulting in more inclusive, child-centred learning, impacting over 5,500 children.
The next phase is underway, with six organisations across East Africa taking part in the assessment this year and giving feedback. A final review of the tools will take place in 2025, before it becomes publicly available.
Organisations looking for a simple, effective, and trauma informed way to assess their ECE programme, can contact us using the details below.
The tool will be open source but organisations wanting to use it will attend a three day training course, prior to implementation. There is further potential to partner with organisations who wish to translate or contextualise the tool for further use.
