Evaluation

Aims of Antenatal Education Inclusive and responsive as possible. Recognise the specific needs of individuals. Antenatal education should focus on normal pregnancies and childbirth and inform women of potential complications to enable them to participate fully in any decisions being taken.

Provide opportunities to discuss the effects of parenthood on relationships. Successful classes focus not only on information, but also provide an opportunity for parents to exchange information, discuss anxieties and learn from each other

In Essence, Parent Education should; Enhance the transition to parenthood by giving parents Information, Support and Assistance As Required. Value parent’s knowledge alongside that of the healthcare professional. Increase parent’s confidence of birth and parenting.

Evaluating starts, as does teaching itself, with aims and learning outcomes. Unless the educator has defined for herself what she hopes clients will gain from sessions in global and precise measurable terms she is in no position to evaluate whether she has been effective as a childbirth educator”. (Antenatal education “A dynamic approach” Mary Nolan)

Evaluating by Observing Everything group members say or do provides the educator with evidence that she is helping them to learn or not. Body language, Listening Assess your relationship with the group

Feedback from others Feedback from another educator could be very helpful. Important to choose someone who is experienced and can be trusted to give an honest opinion. Someone who will offer constructive feedback. Could this be risky?

Refer to manual

Self evaluation and Reflection

Group Evaluation Asking group members for their opinion about the quality of the sessions shows we value and respect their opinions. Parenthood sessions are like our “shop window”. We are displaying what our service has to offer. We require to know that what we are selling is what our customers want.

Asking Groups For Feedback Group members views may be sought either verbally or by completing a questionnaire. Verbally – people often find it difficult to voice criticism, some members who trust and respect the facilitator may be able to give honest verbal evaluation of sessions

Questionnaire Design Keep it short and simple. 1 side of an A4 sheet. Use a mixture of open and closed questions. Questionnaires containing only open questions may be time consuming and not everyone in the group will make the effort to complete it.

Example

Any Questions

Conclusion Important to Evaluate to ensure that you are meeting the needs of tomorrows parents