8/19/2013

Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving infants and toddlers collect a lot of data. These data are used to inform program planning and decision making at the child and program levels. This information sheet addresses why quality data is important and provides information about six characteristics of quality data. It also includes questions to consider in managing quality data. This resource is designed for use by federal staff, T/TA providers, and program administrators.

Children develop rapidly during the first three years of life. Families’ needs change just as rapidly. To ensure that programs are responsive to children’s and families’ evolving needs and that children and families are adequately supported in reaching their goals, staff collect and track a substantial amount of information (or “data”). These data are used to inform program planning and decision making at the child and program levels. (See 1304.51(a)(1) and (2) and 1307.3(b)(2)(i) and (ii).)

Source: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center

Available at: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/ehsnrc/Early%20Head%20Start/design-planning/program-planning/WhatIsQualityD.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Content%20E-blast%20for%20July&utm_content=New%20Content%20E-blast%20for%20July+CID_30ee5ad9937c9730611342af4be147d8&utm_source=CM%20Eblast&utm_term=What%20Is%20Quality%20Data%20for%20Programs%20Serving%20Infants%20and%20Toddlers