Derek McDowell
Ceist:104 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the reasons for the delay in implementing the White Paper on Early Childhood Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26514/00]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
The White Paper on Early Childhood Education, Ready to Learn, which was published in December 1999, sets out a comprehensive strategy for the development of early childhood education for all children aged from birth to six years. Action is proposed on a wide range of issues, including the promotion of quality of provision, measures to facilitate and encourage parental involvement in their children's early education and the development of a system of evaluation to determine whether providers meet quality standards and to assist them in doing so.
There has been no delay in the implementation of the White Paper. Rather, the period since publication has been taken up with consultations and planning in regard to implementation.
Earlier this year, officials of my Department carried out an extensive post-consultation process with all of those who made presentations to the national forum. The aim of the consultations was to seek the views of interested parties with regard to the implementation of the policies set out in the White Paper, on a phased basis, in line with the commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
Following the consultation process, my Department's officials undertook considerable planning for implementation. Most recently, as an initial move towards implementation, my Department has invited third level institutions to submit proposals for a pilot project to develop early childhood education provision in pursuance of the objectives in the White Paper. The pilot project will include, in particular, the development of early education quality standards in relation to equipment and materials, staff qualifications, training, learning objectives, methodologies and curriculum; the development of a support framework to encourage compliance with quality standards by early education providers; the co-ordination and enhancement of early education provision with a particular focus on disadvantaged and special needs groups; and the commissioning of a programme of research and development through which best practice in curriculum, teaching methodology and parent involvement may be implemented and evaluated. Following receipt and assessment of these proposals, I hope to be in a position to make further announcements about future developments in the early education area very shortly.