Abstract
Partnerships In Early Childhood (PIEC) aims to build on the existing strengths, skills and resources of major child care providers to promote strong, healthy relationships between children, children's services staff, families and communities. The Benevolent Society works in partnership with Wyong Shire Council, Campelltown City Council, KU Children's Services and Lady Gowrie Child Centre to deliver the PIEC program in 14 long day centres and preschools (referred to hereafter as centre-based children's services). The PIEC program is funded under the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, Stronger Families and Communities Strategy (SFCS), Invest to Grow program. The PIEC program operates in communities on the Central Coast, and in Sydney's south eastern and south western suburbs. The Social Policy Research Centre was contracted to evaluate the PIEC program. This report summarises the baseline data collected for the formative or process component of the evaluation.