Evaluation Case Study: Meso-Level Research and Evaluation: How Programme Evaluations Can Drive Strategic Change in the Early Childhood Development Ecosystem

This case study shows how four early learning programmes used ELOM data to guide reflection and improve programme delivery. It describes how programme teams, support partners and evaluators worked together to interpret results, identify areas for strengthening, and adapt implementation in response to evidence. The document shows how measurement tools can support ongoing learning and programme refinement across the South African ECD ecosystem.

What’s Inside

• Four Case Studies: SmartStart, Wordworks Little Stars, Yisani Sifunde, and Anglo American Education Programme – each demonstrating different approaches to evaluation and data use
• Key Lessons:
  • The growing role of standardised measurement tools (like the ELOM suite) in shifting sector focus from outputs to measurable child outcomes.
  • How teams used results to adjust practitioner training and delivery.
  • Lessons learned for scaling data-informed improvement cycles.

Why It Matters
Evaluation is most valuable when it leads to real shifts in practice. This case study demonstrates how evidence can be embedded into reflection, planning and adaptive programme management – not just accountability reporting. It shows that when organisations engage with ELOM data formatively (to improve programmes) rather than just summatively (to prove impact), they create powerful learning cycles that benefit both individual programmes and the broader early learning ecosystem.

Use this case study as a model for building a culture of data-informed learning and improvement.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL CASE STUDY HERE

Title: Evaluation Case Study: Meso-Level Research and Evaluation: How Programme Evaluations Can Drive Strategic Change in the Early Childhood Development Ecosystem 

Author: Dr Jessica Horler (MEL Specialist at DataDrive2030)

Published: October 2025