First STEPS: The Supporting Transitions to ECEC Programs Study
The Supporting Transitions to ECEC Programs Study (First STEPS) aims to improve our understanding of how the transition to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services influences the wellbeing of families and children, and to identify how best to support children, families, and early childhood services during this important period.
Register your interest
Recruitment
We are currently recruiting volunteers for First STEPS!
If you are a family or ECEC service interested in participating, please fill complete the relevant consent form (found in the tab below), or contact us via email: firststeps@uq.edu.au or phone: 0447 923 587
First STEPS is aiming to recruit 40 families with infants aged 12-36 months old, who are planning on transitioning their child to their first Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) service, such as long daycare or childcare.
Families will participate in three data collection periods across the transition to their ECEC service:
- 6 weeks prior to the child starting at their ECEC service
- During their first two weeks in ECEC
- 6 weeks after starting at their ECEC service
Data Collection
We will collect data from families and their ECEC services to answer important questions about:
- How the transition to ECEC affects children and families’ sleep
- How stressful the transition to ECEC is for children
- How children behave in ECEC settings during the transition
- How to best support children, families, and services throughout the transition
We will publish our findings once they are complete.
At each time point, participating children and their parents/guardians will be asked to wear a small activity watch known as an actigraph.
Parents will also be asked to collect saliva samples from their child once per week at each time point, totalling 6 days across the study.
With consent from their ECEC service providers, children will also be visited at their service to observe their daily activities and sleep environment (under educator supervision). One saliva sample will be collected from the participating child by either their educator or a researcher during the visits to their ECEC service.
During these ECEC visits, educators will also be asked questions about their perspectives on ECEC transitions and their observations of the participating child’s journey.
At each time point, participating parent/guardians will be asked to:
- Complete a survey and a 2-week sleep diary
- Wear an actigraph alongside their participating child
- Collect saliva samples from their child (one day per week)
Participating families will receive a $50 dollar gift voucher for their involvement in the study.
For more information, please read the First STEPS information booklet
Chief Investigator | Project Coordinator |
Fieldwork Team | |
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Enquiries
P: 0447 923 587
E: firststeps@uq.edu.au