Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
43. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the additional supports being provided to children attending early years education and primary school settings for the first time. [22361/20]
View answerIn addition to supports provided to school going children through the Department of Education and Skills, my Department has worked in collaboration with that Department and a range of other relevant stakeholders to roll out the Let’s Get Ready campaign. This campaign was developed in response to the particular challenges arising from Covid-19 for children preparing to attend early learning and care services or schools this September.
The ECCE, free preschool programme provides children with an important early learning opportunity for the two years before they start school. Unfortunately, the programme was cut short on March 12 due to COVID 19. Those following weeks would have included many opportunities to help children (and their parents) transition in a very positive manner to primary school. I was delighted that many ECCE services continued to support children and parents with the transition through videos, virtual meetings, and play activities.
The Let’s Get Ready campaign supplemented the work of ECCE services and included guidance for parents on practical steps they could take to support their children over these months. Lets Get Ready provided tips on what children and parents could expect on their transition or return to pre-school and primary school.
The Let’s Get Ready campaign also included a Transitions Pack. This was distributed over the summer to all pre-schools and Home School Liaison Co-ordinators through the City and County Childcare Committees. Pre-school services were asked to send them to the children from their service who were starting school for the first time. The pack included a tip sheet for parents on supporting independence skills and well-being; a postcard for children to draw a picture of themselves for their new teacher; and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's Mo Scéal template for parents to fill in and provide information on their child for the school.
In addition, my Department worked with 24 agencies across the country to develop resources responding to parents' needs and to deliver supportive information to parents on transitions to creche and pre-school.
Officials in my Department have also been working closely with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in the HSE to develop information needed by parents and service providers to assist a safe and reassuring return for children as pre-schools and schools reopen. This information has been widely disseminated through social media and through various partners.
