Mid-year Intake Program Evaluation
Arcadia Social Research was commissioned to evaluate South Australia’s Mid-Year Intake programme, introduced to better align early education enrolments with children’s developmental needs.
Context
The Mid-Year Intake (MYI) programme was introduced to better align preschool and reception enrolments with children’s developmental needs. Launched in preschools in 2023 and extended to schools in 2024, the initiative aimed to improve educational readiness by offering an additional enrolment opportunity mid-year. Arcadia Social Research was commissioned to evaluate whether the programme met its objectives and provided the necessary support for participating sites.
Approach
Our evaluation adopted a mixed-methods design that blended document analysis, review of existing survey data and secondary data, and qualitative interviews with key Department stakeholders. This approach provided a balanced perspective on both the governance processes that guided the initiative and the practical experiences of those implementing it on the ground.
Result
The assessment confirmed that the MYI programme met its principal aims, delivering both phases on schedule and within the allocated budget. Effective oversight arrangements and clear channels of communication fostered timely decision-making and accountability, while tailored supports, such as additional staff resources and targeted outreach, helped preschools and schools manage the new intake window with confidence.
Social & Policy Area
Methods
Evaluation
Note
This project was completed when operating as 3arc Social.