What is the evidence that shows NELI Preschool could work for children at my setting?
The NELI Preschool programme is informed by decades of scientific research and has demonstrated positive impact through rigorous experimental studies.
In 2021-2022, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 65 nurseries (with over 1,500 children) showed that NELI Preschool significantly improved the oral language skills of children taking part. Children made the equivalent of 3 months’ additional progress. To our knowledge, this is the first RCT to demonstrate significant gains in oral language skills from a whole-group enrichment programme.
In 2024-2025, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research to evaluate NELI Preschool as a part of a large-scale Research Effectiveness Trial involving over 300 nurseries. Findings showed that children who took part in NELI Preschool made the equivalent of two months' additional progress in their oral language skills compared to children in control settings. NELI Preschool has been recognised by the EEF as a Promising programme.