Dear colleague,
The potential scope of the new National Early Years Strategy is becoming clearer. Earlier in March the Government gave formal approval to Minister Frances Fitzgerald's plan to develop a Strategy, and the Minister indicated some of the issues she wishes to address.
This issue of our e-newsletter brings together news of recent publications and research that will be very relevant to the national strategy, including reports on the Síolta quality framework, the role of the early years in developing literacy and numeracy, parenting supports, and transitions between early years settings and primary schools.
There are other issues too that Start Strong wants to see included in the National Early Years Strategy, in particular a commitment to move incrementally towards a second free pre-school year, and the regulation of childminding. These and other issues will be the focus of our work over the coming months. |
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Government approves plan for Strategy
 Earlier this month the Government formally approved the decision of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, to develop a National Early Years Strategy. We are delighted that the Minister is pressing ahead with her plan. Start Strong has campaigned actively for a national strategy for children's early years. We believe it is a crucial opportunity to set the direction of future investment and policy reform. Read more |
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Síolta evaluation published
 Early childhood services only benefit children if they are of high quality - we know that from all the research evidence. So Síolta - Ireland's National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education - is of real importance.
At a recent seminar, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs presented an evaluation of the initial implementation of the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme. The outcomes so far are mixed, which is perhaps not surprising in a pilot. It is very positive that the QAP has been carefully evaluated, and there is now an opportunity to refine and improve it. However, the evaluation raises a number of questions. Read more |
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Literacy - a role for all early years educators
 On 6 March, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, launched a new Barnardos publication, Early Literacy and Numeracy Matters. Written by Geraldine French, the book is a practical guide, full of tools and ideas for "educators" of young children of all ages from 0 to 6. As the book makes clear, care and early education - including supports for literacy and numeracy - are closely intertwined for even the very youngest babies. Read more |
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Research on parenting programmes
 A major review has just been published on the impact of behavioural group-based parenting programmes. The review finds robust evidence that such programmes can have a significant impact in reducing serious conduct problems in children and in improving parents' mental health.
As we look towards the new National Early Years Strategy, we need to consider what the Government's role should be in parenting supports, and how we can ensure there are effective and appropriate parenting supports available for all families. Read more
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Parental leave - update
 It's now two years since the EU Council of Ministers approved a new directive on parental leave. The Government has chosen to make use of a clause allowing three years for implementation in national law, rather than the standard two years.
Whilen the delay is unfortunate, it is just possible that the Government may be persuaded to go beyond the minimum requirements of the EU directive when they turn it into law. Read more
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DCYA Statement of Strategy 2011-2014
 The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) has published its own Statement of Strategy 2011-2014. It provides an important backdrop for other strategy documents the Department will be preparing over the coming year, including the National Children's Strategy and the National Early Years Strategy. Read more |
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Children in Europe magazine - issue 22
 Children in Europe magazine is a biannual magazine published in 15 languages by a European network of national magazines concerned with children's early years (ages 0-10). This spring's edition of the magazine focuses on transitions - from early childhood services to school, as well as within primary schools.
Sub-titled "Life Changes", this edition includes articles from Wales, Spain, Denmark, France, Italy and other European countries. All the articles address the challenge of achieving continuity and positive experiences for young children making transitions. Read more |
Start StrongAdvancing children's early care and education in Ireland
  www.startstrong.ie+353-1-7910-100
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 | Supporters
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 | The Economics of Children's Early Years
Start Strong's latest report presents the compelling economic case for Government investment in early care and education. Read it now
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 | If I Had a Magic Wand
Our recent publication presents children's own views on early care and education services. Read it online |
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