Jacqueline Fallon Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education

1. Síolta, The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education:Defining Quality Experiences for Young Children in Ireland Jacqueline Fallon Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education

2. The Big Picture Republic of Ireland Population:4.25 million Number of children birth to 6 incl: 418,612 Unemployment: 13.2% in 1990 4.5% in 2007 Female labour force participation rate 1990: 456,500 2007: 922,700 (53.2%)

3. The CECDE • www.cecde.ie • Established by Department of Education and Science in 2002 • Aim: To coordinate and develop early childhood education provision • Main Objectives • Development of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education in Ireland • Research • Policy advice to Minister for Education and Science and Office of the Minister for Children

4. Síolta • Irish (Gaeilge) word for ‘seeds’ • Reflects the abundant possibilities of childhood • Ideas of growth and nurture • www.siolta.ie

5. What is Síolta? • National Quality Assurance Scheme for Early Childhood Education • Centred on children from birth – 6 years • Makes a difference in children’s lives – vision, consistency, continuity, quality of experiences • Mediated for ages/settings • Developmental process for ECCE practitioners • 3 Strands: Defining, Supporting and Assessing Quality

6. Where did Síolta come from? • Consultation • Consultative Committee • 50 stakeholder groups • Build on existing provision • Partnership relationships • Openness and transparency • Child at the centre • Additional consultation with parents • Research evidence (4 Pillars of research) • National Review • International Review • Thematic Review of Learning & Development • Consultation Process

7. Four Pillars of Research Síolta

9. Principles • 12 Principle Statements plus Explanatory Notes • Vision for quality in practice in ECCE • Established through consensus with sector • Applicable to all settings • Interrelated and interdependent • CDRom

10. Standards • 16 Standards • Translates vision into practice • Interrelated and interdependent • Common set of Standards for all settings • CDRom

11. Components • 75 Components in total • Further breakdown of Standards • Guidelines for practice • Applicable to all settings • CDRom

12. Signposts for Reflection/ ‘Think Abouts’ • Developmental tool for practitioners • Mediated for settings and age-groups

13. Síolta’s Vision for Children • The Value of Early Childhood • Every child needs and has the right to positive experiences in early childhood • Children First • The child is an active agent in her/his own development … • Relationships • Positive relationships, which are secure, responsive and respectful and … provide consistency and continuity over time, are the cornerstone of the child’s well-being. • Welfare; Play; Role of the Adult

14. Síolta Quality Standards: Key Ideas • 1 – Rights of the Child • to exercise choice, use initiative, be an active participant, a partner • 4 – Consultation • children’s views to be sought out, listened to and acted upon • 5 – Interactions • based on mutual respect and equal partnership • 6 – Play • opportunities for exploration, creativity, and ‘meaning making’

15. More Key Ideas! • 9 – Health and Welfare • protection from harm, provision of nutritious food, appropriate opportunities for rest, secure relationships characterised by trust and respect • 13 – Transitions • continuity of experiences, consistency in key relationships, close involvement of parents • 14 – Identity and Belonging • promoting positive identities, strong sense of belonging, empower every child… to develop a confident self- and group-identity, to have positive understanding and regard for the identity and rights of others

16. Go Raibh Maith Agaibhwww.siolta.iewww.cecde.ie