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Start Strong e-newsletter - Election 2011
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Dear colleague,

Young children, and their rights and needs, must be a priority in this general election. There are many voices clamouring for attention, but the voices of young children must be heard. Early childhood, and specifically the care and education of young children, must be a priority for a new Government. Join us in telling politicians that early care and education must be part of the solution to our economic crisis and that an investment in children is in an investment in the future.

To get the message out, we have launched a Manifesto for Growth, and we have put our campaign on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Support our campaign by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and sharing the video!
ManifestoManifesto for Growth   
Our general election manifesto is called a "Manifesto for Growth" because investment in early care and education is good for the growing child and good for the growth of the economy. An investment in children is an investment in our future. It's been shown that investment in young children is worth it, many times over.

In our Manifesto for Growth, we are calling on political parties to make young children a priority. Above all, we want all parties to give a commitment that in Government they will develop a national plan for the care and education of young children - to bring young children's care and education in Ireland up to international standards by 2020. The public finances may be in a terrible state, but a new Government can - and must - plan for the future, and plan for growth.

Our Manifesto for Growth also lists key actions that a new Government can take right now, at no cost:
  • Ensure Government funding only goes to quality services.
  • Make inspection reports publicly available on the internet.
  • Deliver services more effectively and more efficiently.   
You can download the manifesto here, or view it on our website. If you would like copies of the printed manifesto, please email us and we will send you copies.

DoorhangerDownload our election doorhanger
We need to get the message out there. Help us to put young children on to the election agenda by asking candidates who knock at your door if they will support our call for a national plan for early care and education. Download our election doorhanger here. Please pass it on to friends and colleagues and ask them to ask their candidates whether they will make sure that early childhood is a Government priority.


FollowUsWe are now on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube  
Support our campaign by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (please RT to your friends and colleagues). You can also see our general election video on YouTube and on our website. Follow us here:

Find us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our videos on YouTube