Emmet Stagg
Question:71 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the publication of the White Paper on Early Childhood Education; the main areas covered; and the date for its publication. [25163/99]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
The White Paper will set out Government policy on early childhood education and will provide a blueprint for the development of the sector for the future. Initial work on the preparation of the White Paper began last year, when I convened the National Forum for Early Childhood Education. This forum provided an opportunity for all those involved in the area of early childhood education to come together and to share their views on future policy for early childhood education. The report on the forum, which was compiled by an independent secretariat, was published in November 1998 and constitutes a major input to the White Paper preparation process.
Officials in my Department have been working hard on the drafting of the White Paper, taking account of the latest national and international research-findings; provision by other Government Departments and agencies and non-Governmental organisations. In addition, the systems of provision in other developed countries have also been examined.
The White Paper will set out a range of proposals covering early education for children aged from birth to six years. These include the development of very young children in the home, supports to parents concerning how best to help their children to learn, a wide range of supports for private providers and voluntary-community groups and a strategy to enhance the quality of infant education in primary schools.
The principal aim will be to raise standards and improve quality of provision of early childhood education services. While quality of provision generally will be addressed, particular attention will be given to the needs of those most in need of assistance including children with special needs and children who are educationally disadvantaged.
I am happy to advise the Deputy the White Paper will be published before Christmas.