Technology giant IBM has given away 125 Young Explorer computer learning centres, including hardware, software and furniture, to nurseries, pre-schools, early excellence centres and schools, under its KidSmart Early Learning Programme. Next year it will distribute a further 150.
The KidSmart settings are mainly in disadvantaged areas. IBM is working with leading association Early Education, which helps to identify suitable settings and provides training and support for staff.
The evaluation of the first 14 centres - ten in England and four in Scotland - to receive the package in 1999, was carried out by Professor Iram Siram-Blatchford of London's Institute of Education and John Siraj-Blatchford of the University of Cambridge.
They used the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale to judge the settings' proficiency in 'learning about the uses of ICT', 'access and control of ICT tools', and 'information handling and communication'.
Prior to taking part in Kid-Smart, the groups averaged a score of one to three (inadequate to minimal), but this improved to four to five within a year - a 'good' rating, with some settings moving towards 'excellent'. A control group of nurseries did not achieve similar improvements.
The evaluation report stressed the need for ICT applications to be integrated with play and project work. Professor Siraj-Blatchford said, 'Our initial interviews with setting managers showed for many ICT education was taken to mean computer education alone.
'Our interviews at the end of the year showed much more recognition of ICT as a much broader term.
'There has also been substantial progress in many settings with respect to ICT provision in socio-dramatic play and involving the children more in operating the technology around them.'
The project is currently in 16 Local Education Authorities. More information and advice on good practice in early years ICT can be found on the website www.ioe.ac.uk/cdl/datec.