Marais, LochnerIngle, MarkSkinner, DonaldSigenu, Kholisa2016-06-142016-06-142012Marais, L., Ingle, M., Skinner, D., & Sigenu, K. (2012). An evaluation of a family support programme in the southern Free State. Acta Academica, 44(1), 85-120.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/2932English: This article details the evaluation of an NGO Family Support Programme (FSP) that was implemented in the southern Free State’s Kopanong local municipality. The FSP is primarily aimed at strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) in what is a very socio-economically deprived environment for small children. The article argues for the critical importance of ECD within the human development paradigm. It then reports on the actual FSP assessment and advances a number of recommendations for how the initiative could be bolstered. It concludes that the FSP methodology is sound in principle and that it warrants replication at scale.Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel beskryf die evaluasie van ’n ontwikkelingsprogram vir ’n burgerlike organisasie wat gesinsondersteuning bied. Die program is in die Suid-Vrystaatse Kopanong munisipaliteit geïmplementeer. Die Family Support Programme (FSP) se doelwit was die bevordering van voorskoolse ontwikkeling in ’n agtergeblewe gemeenskap. Die kritiese belang van voorskoolse ontwikkeling binne die menslike ontwikkelingsparadigma word beklemtoon. Die artikel evalueer die FSP en verskaf verskeie voorstelle vir die versterking van die program. Die slotsom is dat die FSP se metodologie in beginsel goed ontwerp is, en dat die program op ’n groter skaal uitgerol moet word.enFamily Support Programme (FSP)Early childhood developmentArticleUniversity of the Free State