Dear colleague,
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has announced the formation of an Expert Advisory Group on the National Early Years Strategy. This group, and the consultation process for the Strategy (which is yet to be announced), will be of real importance. The development of the Strategy is a unique opportunity. It will shape services and supports for children's early care and education for years to come, so it's crucial that the Government gets the strategy right. And if the Government wants to get the strategy right, there are many voices it needs to hear. In addition to the Expert Advisory Group, this newsletter examines a number of issues that are high on the policy agenda right now, including the draft Children First legislation and the reform of the One Parent Family Payment. It also includes summaries of recent research, our submission on the future of Síolta, and a new Start Strong Policy Brief - on Government policies for under-3s. |
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Minister announces Expert Advisory Group
 As part of the preparation of the National Early Years Strategy, Frances Fitzgerald TD, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has announced the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group. We welcome the step, and we believe the group's members will all provide excellent advice. However, we are surprised and disappointed that Start Strong has not been appointed to the group. Read more |
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Early learning - policies for the first 3 years
 Start Strong has just launched the first of a series of Policy Briefs that will build towards our submission on the National Early Years Strategy. The first Policy Brief focuses on children's first 3 years - a neglected area of Government policy.
Children start learning from their very first days. But our main support for children's early learning - the Free Pre-School Year - is only available from 3 years and 2 months at the earliest. Children and families need services and supports right from the start of a child's life, and those services and supports need to be of high quality. Read more
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Start Strong submission on future of Síolta
 Following the recent evaluation of Síolta's initial roll-out, the Government's Early Years Education Policy Unit made a call for submissions on the future role of Síolta (the 'National Quality Framework' for early care and education) and the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme (QAP).
Start Strong took the opportunity to make a submission, stressing the importance of quality, and highlighting the need for the full roll-out of Síolta to be linked to other policy developments, including Aistear, reform of the inspection system, and plans for professionalisation of the early years workforce. Read more
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Children First - draft bill excludes childminders
 The Government has taken a very positive step forwards with the publication of draft legislation to put the "Children First" child protection guidelines onto a statutory footing. It's a measure that has long been advocated by a wide range of organisations.
The drafting of the legislation is still at an early stage. Start Strong is concerned at the exclusion of childminders from the bill, as currently drafted. Read more
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Minister calls for 'Scandinavian' childcare
 When introducing the Social Welfare Bill in the Dáil a few weeks ago, lowering the upper age-limit for the One Parent Family Payment to when the youngest child reaches 7 years old, the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, said she will only proceed if she gets a "credible and bankable commitment" to a "Scandinavian" childcare system by this year's Budget.
The Minister's commitment is, of course, very positive. It's another matter whether a Scandinavian childcare system is achievable in Ireland without significant investment, given the importance of high quality provision. Read more
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Free education for disadvantaged 2 year olds?
 Ireland's Free Pre-School Year - which offers free early education for 3-4 year olds - was modelled on similar schemes in the UK. In England, free pre-school provision is now being extended to disadvantaged 2-year-olds.
C4EO - the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services - has recently published a review of an initial "trial" of the new scheme. Given the interest shown by our Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in moving incrementally to a second free pre-school year in Ireland, the C4EO review should be an important resource in developing the new National Early Years Strategy. Read more
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EPPE / EPPSE findings to age 14
 The EPPE study, now known as EPPSE, has been following the progress of 3,000 children since 1997, when they were 3 years old. The final report from the age-14 phase of the study was recently published.
The study has found that the benefits of early care and education persist through to age 14 in relation to both academic and social-behavioural outcomes, but they depend on the quality of provision. Read more
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International review of parental leave
 The 2011 International Review of Leave Policies shows that the length of maternity leave in Ireland is relatively long by international standards, but that statutory maternity pay in Ireland is at a low level and - unlike in many other countries - it is accompanied by quite limited provision of paternity and parental leave.
As a consequence, Ireland falls well short of the one year of paid leave that is recommended by international organisations such as UNICEF. The evidence in this report also suggests that the take-up of leave by fathers is likely to remain very low in Ireland until it is paid. Read more
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Social mobility - the early years matter
 The Economic and Social Research Council in the UK has published a series of 5 short briefing notes summarising the latest research on what impacts on "social mobility" - the ease with which people can break free from the cycle of disadvantage - and what types of policy intervention work.
The research shows clearly that children's experiences in their early years are a key factor, especially the parenting style and learning environment in their home. Read more |
Start StrongAdvancing children's early care and education in Ireland
  www.startstrong.ie+353-1-662-4018
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| | We've moved!
We've moved, and we have a new phone number too (01-6624018). If you're trying to find us, there's a map on our website.
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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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