With support from ELMA Philanthropies and Echidna Giving, the PfR team, together with PLH and Transformative Parenting Uganda, is conducting a cluster RCT (N=776 motherchild dyads) within a larger scale-up project with families of children aged 0-6 years.

The study will test the effectiveness of a shorter and ECD-specific version of PfR in improving ECD outcomes over a six month follow-up period. The programme aims to improve child cognition, expressive and receptive language development, motor skills, socio-emotional development, and anthropometric growth.

The programme also includes community social accountability meetings, household visits by relevant community workforces, and 71 group sessions for male caregivers. In addition, the study also expects PfR to increase uptake of antenatal care services by pregnant women and improve preventive health practices.
The intervention package comprises home visits to pregnant and/or lactating mothers, integrating play-focused techniques, promoting the uptake of essential services, understanding of ECD, child psychosocial stimulation, nutrition, and preventive health education.

Caregivers in the control arm receive a one-off two-hour group information session on ECD. The baseline assessment for this trial has now been completed.