Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Early Start Programme.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

63 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the effectiveness of the Early Start programme; the plans, if any, he has to extend the programme to all areas of disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3704/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

67 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science if the assessment of the Early Start programme has been positive; and if an expansion is planned for September 1999. [3632/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together.

The Early Start pre-school pilot project was introduced in eight primary schools in 1994. An educational programme was designed for young children which would enhance their overall development, prevent school failure and offset the effects of social disadvantage. The project was extended in 1995 to a further 32 schools. Three year old children in the schools catchment areas who were deemed most at risk of not reaching their potential in the educational system are enrolled in the Early Start centres.

The project was evaluated by the Educational Research Centre in Drumcondra over the period from September 1994 until June 1997 and the evaluation report was submitted to the Department in 1998.

The evaluation report indicates that, on a range of objective tests which involved childrens cognitive, language and motor behaviour, no significant differences were found between the performance of the first two cohorts of Early Start pupils when they reached junior infants class and that of junior infant pupils who had not experience Early Start. Teachers perceptions, however, of the effects of Early Start were more positive than the test results.

The evaluation report on early start, and any possible extension of the pilot project, is being considered in the context of the report of the White Paper on Early Childhood Education, on which work has already commenced.