The evidence behind PREview
PREview is informed by a range of research, in particular analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS).
The MCS is studying around 9200 children born in England in 2000. The first information was collected when the babies were nine months old, when mothers were asked about the child's health and well-being in early infancy. Information was collected again when the children were three years and five years old.
To present the evidence underpinning PREview, we have produced a series of colourful charts showing the associations between maternal factors and child outcomes around health, behaviour, and learning & development.
More detail is provided in the full reports below.
Analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study
In addition to the charts above which give a visual summary of the analysis from the MCS, you can read the full reports or watch a video of Professor John Hobcraft presenting the research.
Maternal indicators in pregnancy and children’s infancy that signal future outcomes for children’s development, behaviour and health: evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study
The aim of this study was to identify early life course factors associated with children’s later development in three main spheres: cognitive development, behavioural difficulties and health status. The rationale for the study was to provide evidence that might be used to inform PREview, the predictive tool for child health and well-being. To this end data from the English sample of the Millennium Cohort Study was analysed to assess how maternal attributes, maternal behaviours during pregnancy and characteristics of children’s families during infancy related to child outcomes at age 5 years and the predictive power of these factors was assessed.
Publisher: Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
Published Date: 26/05/2009
- Annex to the main report: Combining the child outcomes. Maternal indicators in pregnancy and children’s infancy that signal future outcomes for children’s development, behaviour and health: evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study.
This is an annex to the main report. The aim of this study was
to identify early life course factors associated with children's later development in one main sphere: either cognitive development or behavioural difficulties or health status. The rationale for the study was to provide evidence that might be used to inform PREview, the predictive tool for child health and well-being.
Publisher: Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
Published Date: 24/11/2009
- Predictive factors from age 3 and infancy for poor child outcomes at age 5: evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study
This project builds on an earlier project using data collected in the Millennium Cohort Study that identified factors during pregnancy and shortly after birth that were associated with child outcomes at age 5 years (Kiernan and Mensah, 2009). This study had a broader remit to identify family and individual level factors that help or hinder children’s future well-being and health at age 5 drawing on the information collected on the Millennium Cohort children and their families at the 3 years old surveys supplemented by the 9 month survey.
Publisher: Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
Published Date: 26/02/2010
- Figures and tables for the report - Predictive factors from age 3 and infancy for poor child outcomes at age 5: evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study
This report provides the figures and tables to accompany the study. The study aimed to identify family and individual level factors that help or hinder children’s future well-being and health at age 5 drawing on the information collected on the Millennium Cohort children and their families at the 3 years old surveys supplemented by the 9 month survey.
Publisher: Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York
Published Date: 26/02/2010
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Qualitative research with parents
Parents’ views on how health professionals should work with them now to get the best for their child in the future
Pregnancy and the first years of life are important times for future child well-being. Early identification of families and children who might be likely to experience poorer outcomes could enable health professionals and parents to work together to promote each child’s well-being. Little is known about the acceptability and feasibility of such an approach to parents. The objective of this study was to investigate parents’ views about how health professionals should identify and work with families who may benefit from additional input to maximize their children’s future health and well-being. It concluded that targeted additional preventive services can be acceptable and welcome if health professionals introduce them sensitively, in the context of an existing relationship, providing parents are active participants.
Publisher: Health Expectations
Published Date: 19/04/2012
- PREview: Views of parents-to-be and parents of pre-school children on issues raised by PREview
The aim of this study was to discover the views of recent parents about some of the issues raised by the proposed PREview approach in order to assess its acceptability. Its focus was primarily the use of PREview at the level of individual families although some questions related to its use as a service planning tool were also covered. The report represents work carried out by the Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU) at the University of York between May and December 2009.
Publisher: Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU), University of York
Published Date: 25/02/2010
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Literature reviews
- PREview literature reivew: Factors which predict health and well-being outcomes for children up the age of 5
The aim of this literature review was to identify factors which are associated with health and well-being outcomes up to age 5, with particular focus on physical and cognitive development, emotional and behavioural well-being and physical health. The review was carried out for the PREview project.
Publisher: Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU), University of York
Published Date: 26/06/2008
- PREview literature review: Health needs assessment tools currently in use
A review of four different assessment tools or processes which are currently in use in England: Derby City Health Needs Assessment Tool; Tynedale Health Needs Assessment Tool; Kirklees Universal Needs Assessment; and the Common Assessment Framework. This review was carried out for the PREview project.
Publisher: Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU), University of York
Published Date: 26/06/2008
- PREview literature review: Published findings from longitudinal datasets
A report of published findings from recent UK cohort studies in relation to the risk and protective factors identified in the literature review. The UK has two recent longitudinal studies which met the criteria: the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS); and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Publications from these two studies were screened. The outputs of a third study, the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) Project were also examined since links between socio-demographic factors and early educational attainment appeared pertinent. The review was carried out for the PREview project.
Publisher: Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU), University of York
Published Date: 26/06/2008
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Other useful reports and papers
- Supporting families in the foundation years
Sets out the government's vision for the services that should be on offer for parents, children and families in the foundation years. Explains the importance of intervening early and the role of different services working together to ensure that children, their mothers and fathers receive early help were needed. It outlines the role of commissioners, leaders and practitioners across the range of services for families in these years.
Publisher: Department for Education (DfE)
Published Date: 18/07/2011
- Early environments and child outcomes: an analysis commission for the independent review on poverty and life chances
The analysis in this report was commissioned by the Independent Review on Poverty and Life Chances to inform its recommendations on the adoption of a set of official Life Chances Indicators. The aim of the proposed indicators is to measure annual progress at a national level on a range of factors in young children which we know to be predictive of children's future outcomes, and so provide a metric for assessing how successful we are as a country in making more equal life's outcomes for all children.
Publisher: Centre for Market and Public Organization, University of Bristol
Published Date: 03/12/2010
- The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: a research note
In the Millennium Cohort Study, ‘behaviour’ was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. This paper describes this brief behavioural screening questionnaire that provides balanced coverage of children and young people's behaviours, emotions, and relationships. The value of this novel Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is evaluated against the benchmark set by the Rutter parent and teacher questionnaires. The SDQ has been designed to meet the needs of researchers, clinicians, and educationalists.
Publisher: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Published Date: 18/05/1997
For more related reports, see the policy context section.
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