Vol. 518 No. 4
29 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the action, if any, he has taken since the publication of the White Paper on Early Childhood Education to provide for seamless and co-ordinated pre-school services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11809/00]
The White Paper recognises the importance of providing education and care to young children in a seamless fashion. Seamlessness can only be achieved through a co-ordinated approach to early childhood services. A range of proposals to ensure co-ordination is set out in the White Paper. In addition, officials from my Department are participating in inter-departmental structures established under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to ensure that early education policy is developed in harmony with policy on the broader child care issues.
In developing the White Paper strategy, efforts will be made to ensure continuity and seamlessness in the progression of children from the home through pre-school and infants classes in primary schools and further in the education system. The development of curricula and methodologies will be undertaken with this objective in mind.
Initial planning for implementation of the recommendations made in the White Paper, including measures to ensure co-ordination and seamlessness, is currently under way in my Department. Key principles underpinning the White Paper are that implementation will be undertaken on a phased basis and that progress will be achieved through a process of consultation with interested parties.
My officials are currently in discussion with parties involved in early childhood education with a view to implementing the White Paper proposals and establishing the necessary structures. This process will be concluded shortly.
