Summary of methodologies and sample population
| Method | Purpose | Domains | Target sample | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy analysis | Policy analysis is particularly important for the governance domain. Policy documents and grey literature (identified from discussions with partners, and internet searches) will be analysed to understand more about the governance processes that may influence early childhood outcomes | Governance | 120 policy documents (ie, ∼10–12 per AEDC community) | Not applicable |
| Stakeholder interview | The purpose of the semistructured stakeholder interviews is to obtain an in-depth understanding of governance structures and coordination mechanisms | Governance and service | 150 stakeholder interviews (ie, ∼10–15 per AEDC community) | Individuals with a leadership role in the community and/or have significant local knowledge and contacts |
| Parent focus group | The parent focus group/s aim to obtain a better understanding of parents' views about their community | Governance, service, physical, social, socioeconomic | 25 parent focus groups (ie, 1 per AEDC local community) | Parents of young children 0–8 years old |
| Practitioner focus group | The practitioner (service provider) focus groups will provide an in-depth perspective of the five community domains from local community professionals | Governance, service, physical, social, socioeconomic | 25 practitioner focus groups (ie, 1 per AEDC local community) | Service providers |
| Service survey | The purpose of the service survey is to understand more about local service networks and service coordination | Service | 1 per service type in each AEDC local community | Service providers of early years services |
| Service information | Service information on service quantity, access and quality is obtained through existing data and service providers | Service | Collected on all ECD services within each AEDC local community | Service providers of years services |
| Community survey | The community survey aims to collect data on local resident views about what their community is like to live in | Governance, service, physical, social, socioeconomic | 25 000 surveys (ie, 10 000 per AEDC local community) will be distributed to a random sample of residents. A 35% response rate is required. | General community residents (not necessarily parents of young children) |
| GIS and park audit | Using GIS allows objective assessment of the physical structure (urban design layout) of the local community; including its physical layout and access (proximity and quantity) to services and destinations | Physical | 25 AEDC local communities. All parks within each local community will be measured for park ‘quality’. | Not applicable |
| Community demographics and data | Where possible, existing data on the community will be sourced. For example, community demographics are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census data | Socioeconomic | 25 AEDC local communities | Not applicable |
Local communities and communities (local government areas) as defined by the AEDC.
AEDC, Australian Early Development Census; ECD, early child development; GIS, Geographic Information Systems.