Lead Indicator Guide

The RSTO Indicator Guide provides a collection of evidence-informed lead indicators for five key early childhood services: antenatal care, nurse home visiting, early childhood education and care, parenting programs and the early years of school (P-3). It is designed for use by:

  • local early years partnerships
  • policymakers and funders
  • service providers
  • measurement and evaluation specialists
  • researchers. 

The framework of lead indicators can be used to: 

  • better measure service performance and provide more effective and efficient services (and avoid wasting time, money and effort on approaches that fail to deliver results)
  • better respond to the needs of children and families in their community, especially those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage
  • learn and share with others striving to improve children’s outcomes
  • capture evidence for insights, innovation and advocacy.

A dynamic lead indicator library is coming soon.