Start Strong

December 2013 e-newsletter


Smiles and coats
Holly leaf pattern

 

As we look forward to Christmas and the New Year, we can also look back over 2013. It has been an incredibly busy year for Start Strong and for all those working on early years policies. Earlier in the year we watched the Prime Time investigation A Breach of Trust - and were horrified by what we saw. However, it did mean that, finally, there was public recognition of the importance of early childhood and the crucial issue of quality in early care and education services. It also meant the Government had to take action.

Much has happened over the months since then, but we need to keep up the pressure to ensure Ireland has an ambitious National Early Years Strategy that will enable us to achieve international standards in early childhood services and supports. 

There is still no news on the Government's next steps in developing the Early Years Strategy. Start Strong has called on the Government to publish a draft strategy, and to carry out a public consultation on the draft. We are also urging the Government to consult young children themselves, as well as parents.

 

We are also awaiting the Children and Young People's Policy Framework, which will provide an overarching framework for the Early Years Strategy. Start Strong will be looking to see that it provides for a dedicated structure to drive the implementation and monitoring of the Early Years Strategy. Without this, there is a risk the Strategy will be made toothless before it has even been published.

 

This newsletter covers the latest developments in the Pre-School Inspectorate, and the Child and Family Agency Bill. It includes summaries of reports on 5 year olds in Growing Up in Ireland, and Indecon's proposals (commissioned by Donegal County Childcare Committee) on the cost of childcare, as well as a report from the UK on family and childcare policy "after the crash".

 

If you missed the Policy Brief we published last month on Right from the Start (the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy), you can find it on our website.   

 

With our warmest season's greetings,

Ciair�n, Adele, Lorraine and Toby

 

Holly leaf pattern
 
Child and Family Agency Bill passes - but key amendments rejected

 

DCYA logoThe Child and Family Agency Bill has passed through the Oireachtas, and as a result the Child and Family Agency will at last come into being in January.   

 

The establishment of the agency is very positive, as are many aspects of the legislation. But we are disappointed the Government has still not signalled an intention to regulate childminding. Read more 

Inspection system - further reform needed

 

Prime Time A recent advertisement by the HSE to recruit new pre-school inspectors in four areas of the country has highlighted the urgent need for further reform of the inspection system.  

 

As in the past, the recruitment process is confined to Public Health Nurses - in spite of the issues raised by the Prime Time investigation A Breach of Trust about the limited scope of inspections. Read more 

Affordability of childcare a major issue

 

Baby and parents A study on the affordability of childcare by Indecon economic consultants has been published by Donegal County Childcare Committee. Parents in Ireland face some of the highest childcare costs in Europe, and the new study highlights the impact of the problem as well as opening an important debate about policy solutions.

Start Strong argues that policy responses to the issue must combine affordability and accessibility with measures to ensure the quality of services, with services for all. And childcare subsidies must be combined with parental leave and work-life balance measures. 
Read more 
Major UK report on post-crash reform - including childcare 

 

IPPR A report has been published by the IPPR that explores how society "after the crash" should respond to the "new challenges that were not on the political agenda a decade ago". The think-tank report, which may well shape political party policies in the UK, has a strong focus on children and families.

On childcare, it argues against tax relief as a means of addressing the high cost of childcare, calling instead for a Nordic approach of public investment in high quality early care and education services, rooted in neighbourhood Children's Centres, alongside paid parental leave in children's first year
. Read more
5 year olds in Ireland - latest GUI reports
 
The GUI Growing Up in Ireland team has published the first reports on 5 year olds in the survey.

Over the next year or two, further research will be carried out to analyse the findings in greater depth. Already, however, a wide range of important data is emerging on issues such as the Free Pre-School Year, transitions to school, health, well-being, and the impact of the recession on families. Read more
 
 

Start Strong
Advancing children's early care and education in Ireland

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Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future is Start Strong's submission to the Government on the forthcoming National Early Years Strategy.
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This Start Strong publication presents children's own views on early care and education services. Read it online