Skip to main content
Normal View

Early Child Care Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (69)

Niall Collins

Question:

69. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms who have been appointed to assist with implementing Aistear and Síolta at preschool and primary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/13]

View answer

Written answers

Síolta and Aistear represent a comprehensive set of national practice guidelines which support the development of quality early childhood care and education in Ireland. Both Frameworks are based upon extensive research evidence on best practice in early childhood education and care and also have been developed through extensive consultation with all interested parties including parents, teachers, the broad range of staff working in early childhood care and education settings and children themselves. Implementation of these Frameworks to date has involved:

- Raising awareness of the contents of each framework though publication and dissemination of information, e.g., Síolta and Aistear manuals and guidelines; Aistear tip sheets for parents; Aistear Toolkit (online)

- Collaboration with City and County Childcare Committees, Voluntary Childcare Organisations in the development and delivery of the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme field test; establishment of the Aistear in Action Initiative (a collaboration between NCCA and Early Childhood Ireland) and the Aistear Tutor Initiative (a collaboration between NCCA and the network of Education Centres). Implementation of these Frameworks has had to be done within existing resources and additional personnel have not been assigned.

Top
Share