Welcome to the first edition of our Supporter Newsflash, aimed at keeping you up to date with our work over the past six months and plans for the year ahead. Earlier this week, the third meeting of the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020) took place. Unfortunately, there was a delay in establishing the Council and we are now working to catch up on the implementation process. This is just one of the items we hope to update you on at our Supporter Meeting on March 4th in Buswells Hotel. In fact, we plan to host a series of meetings throughout the year where we update you on our work and crucially hear your feedback about how you think we are doing. Hope to see you there!
Outside of Start Strong, the big event this week for the sector was the rally outside the Dáil organised by the Association of Childhood Professionals to highlight the importance of early care and education. Well done to all - there was a great turn out and an impressive amount of media coverage.
Let's hope that our combined actions will result in better care and education for all our young children in 2015. With best wishes
The team at Start Strong - Ciairín, Toby, Lorraine and Tressan
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Save the Date March 4th: Supporter Meeting Invitation
As a valued Supporter of Start Strong, we would like to invite you to our Supporter meeting on March 4th in Buswells Hotel in Dublin from 10.30 to 12.30pm.
This is the first of a series of more regular meetings with our Supporters during 2015. We want to keep you more up to date about our work and plans for the coming year, as well as hearing how you think we're doing. We also want to consult with you about some of our specific areas of work. Hope you can make it. We'd love to see you there! Read more |
 What to watch out for in 2015
While planning for the new year, we asked ourselves what are the key events in 2015 that will likely impact early years care and education?
With a possible election, a new Government report on the affordability of 'childcare', new Inspections, and just maybe a National Early Years Strategy, one thing is for sure, it's going to be a busy year. Read more |
 Videos from our conference 'Childcare': Business or Profession? now online
The videos of all the speeches from our conference 'Childcare':Business or Profession? are now live on our youtube page.
Watch Minister James Reilly T.D., Minister Jan O'Sullivan T.D., Professor Helen Penn from the University of East London and Professor Noirín Hayes from the School of Education TCD to name but a few of the speakers from the day.
Watch the videos |
 A quick look back at 2014
Where do the hours go? 2014 just flew by and before we forget all about the hard work done here's a quick reminder of what we got up to last year. Read more |
 What we do in Start Strong
Have you ever wondered what it is we actually do in Start Strong? Well, as an advocacy organisation that campaigns to improve early childhood care and education policies in Ireland we work to promote informed policy development and increased investment in young children. We don't represent any one sector or political group but rather the best interests of children. Read more |
 Spotlight on Ciairín de Buis
In this lighthearted interview, we discover more about our Director Ciairín de Buis. Just how does she spend her time when she's not working for Start Strong? Read more |
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Irish Independent
Our Policy & Research Officer, Toby Wolfe, writes in the Irish Independent about the benefits of early care and education for children. Read it here.
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Supporter Meeting
Save the date March 4th and come along to our Supporter Meeting in Buswells Hotel from 10.30 am to 12.30pm. Find out more here.
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Newstalk
Start Strong Director, Ciairín de Buis takes part in a panel discussion on the cost of 'childcare' on Newstalk's Breakfast Show. Listen in at 16.27
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