School Readiness, Adversities in Childhood Experience and Access to Government Services: A Scoping Study on Potential Protective Factors

This scoping study explored the extent to which government services across three domains: Healthcare, Early Childhood Education and Social Services, might offset negative impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and improve school readiness. It used data from the Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) longitudinal study.

The researchers found that, for children who had experienced multiples ACEs, four factors had the largest potential effect on school readiness. All those factors related to a child’s access to a general practitioner. The researchers also note their findings suggest access to good quality, paid early childhood education may have a role to play in closing the gaps in school readiness for children who experience ACEs.

Citation:
Walsh, M.C., Maloney, T., Vaithianathan, R., & Pereda-Perez, P. (2021). School Readiness, Adversities in Childhood Experience and Access to Government Services: A Scoping Study on Potential Protective Factors. [PDF] Wellington: Ministry of Social Development.