Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2013
14. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will introduce higher standards of qualification in early care and education services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21842/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraNearly all pre-school services in the State are now participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which was introduced in January 2010 and which provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before they commence primary school.
The minimum qualification requirements have, in fact, been increased for those delivering the ECCE programme. During the 2010-2012 period, there was an interim qualifying period whereby a person who did not hold a recognised qualification at the equivalent of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ) but could demonstrate that he/she had a certified award relevant to early childhood care and education that included significant content covering the core knowledge areas of child development, early learning, health and welfare, and provided they had at least 2 years experience of working in a position of responsibility, was able to work as a pre-school leader. For the 2012-2014 period, every early years practitioner working as a pre-school leader entering into contract for the first time, must hold a major award at a minimum of Level 5. To assist unqualified practitioners in the current workforce to achieve the full Level 5 award, my Department provided part-subsidies for an on-line course which was developed by one of the voluntary childcare organisations.
A higher capitation rate is available to services participating in the ECCE programme in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the programme i.e. where all the Pre-school Leaders hold a Bachelor degree in childhood/early education and all the Pre-school Assistants hold a relevant major award at level 5.
It is my objective to incrementally develop the ECCE programme over the term of this Government as resources permit. A key element of this is the implementation of the Workforce Development Plan by the Early Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, which is co-located in my Department.
The Workforce Development Plan identified different distinct groups including new entrants to the workforce who wish to become appropriately qualified for specific occupational roles and responsibilities, and unqualified practitioners in the current workforce who want to achieve the Level 5 award. For new entrants to the workforce the publication of Common Award Standards at Levels 4, 5 and 6 is a welcome development. Programmes of learning developed to meet these new award standards will incorporate national practice frameworks and will reflect national policy objectives, thereby ensuring that graduates are fully prepared to enter the workforce. Training providers have begun to meet the new award standards in respect of the FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education. The first programme has been developed and is being provided through the VECs.
Future developments relating to early years and education, including workforce development, are being considered in the context of the National Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to six years, which is being developed by my Department and expected to be completed later this year.
