Introduction I am going to discuss the following topics in my report. I am going to explain the historical development of the ECCE sector in Ireland up to and including the present day. * Historical development of the early childhood care and education * Current ECCE provision by the state * Health and welfare * Equal opportunity legislation * Outline maintaining a quality ECCE environment that complies with relevant regulations and standards Main body Historical development of the early childhood care and education In the last 20 years Ireland has had a dramatic change in its society.
Ireland has traditionally had a laissez-faire policy with respect to the childcare provision back in the day there was no such thing as drop your children off to play. Laissez-faire policy means to let the child do something. The government nowadays has been funding a free preschool year for families who cannot afford to send their children to pre-school that means the child’s best interests are kept at heart. For many years it would have been quiet tradition the men working on the farms and the mothers minding the children.
Having woman in the work place was not allowed. During the ‘Celtic Tiger’ this all changed. Family structure has changed over the last century. It is way more natural these days to be raised by a single parent or step parent. Divorce was accepted into people’s lives. These days you will rarely find a housewife/ and a traditional working father. Childcare is more about mothers than fathers. In this day and age childcare settings are trying to introduce men into the setting. There is way more support as to what would have been back in 1908.
There is strengthening family’s programmes, special needs assistances, childcare committees and parents who want to be involved. There is after schools club and genuine people who really care and love children and want them to do really well. Childcare has changed a lot as well. Before you could just mind a child and not be questioned on who you were and what you aim to do. These days you have to be Gardai vetted to make sure that the child is being kept safe and secure. Garda vetting: the preschool regulations 2006 states that all childcare volunteers, staff and students be garda vetted.
This is carried out by the central vetting unit this place is based in Tipperary. A form would have to be filled out with personal details and returned to the organization. These vetting are individually done. It is also essential to make sure the best interest of the child is at heart. Many settings having to reduce their number of full time staff or put them on a contract that they will have to abide by. The contract consists of 38 weeks work instead of 52. Childcare arrangements can be quiet simple.
It ranges from babysitting at home or in organised child day care facility or in the persons home that wants the children to be babysat. Childcare these days has two main functions care and education. There are also many different pre-school regulations from Aistear to Siolta and then theirs Montessori. I will discuss these throughout my report. Donoghue and Gayner (2010) *Development over the years 1908 The children’s act 1989 The UN convention of the rights of the child 1991 Childcare act sectionv11 relates to preschool services under the department of children 1992 Ireland ratifies the UN convention 994 Early start preschool programmes under the department of education 1996 The childcare preschool services regulations and explanatory guide department of health 1997 Expert working group on childcare set up by the department of justice, equality and law reform (jelr) as part of partnership 2000 1998 Report of the commission on the family: dept. of social and family affairs. 1999 The national childcare strategy 2000 Development of city and county childcare committees structures (33 committees) 20001 National children’s office 2002 Centre for Early Childhood Development & Education 2004 National Child care association 005 Ncca launches towards a framework for early learning final consultation report draft version 2006 National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 – 2010 2007 Garda vetting 2008 CCSS 2009 aistear framework was launched by the national child care assoisiation *Current ECCE provision by the state What does the government fund to people for free? * Free preschool year * Early start preschool programme * There is also the CCS scheme and the CETS scheme. The government have provided funding to child-minding facilities for the following reasons that they provide to the public free preschool year. They also have the early start preschool programme.
Free preschool year The ECCE Scheme provides a free year of early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. In general, children are eligible for the ECCE scheme if they are aged over 3 years 3 months and less than 4 years 7 months on 1 September of the year that they will be starting. The upper age limit can be extended in some cases. The State pays a capitation fee to participating playschools and daycare services. In return, they provide a pre-school service free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks.
In general, children only qualify for ECCE in one school year. However, a child who has been assessed as having a disability may be able to spread their free pre-school year over 2 years Early start preschool programme The Early Start Programme is a one-year scheme offered in selected schools in designated disadvantaged areas. The objective of the pre-school scheme which is managed funded and evaluated by the Department of Education. Children must be aged more than 3 years 3 months and less than 4 years 7 months on the 1st day of September of the year in which they are enrolled.
Children may either be enrolled in Early Start or in the Free Pre-school Year Scheme. Children are not eligible to be enrolled in both schemes at the same time. The Early Start Pre-School Programme was introduced in 1994. The aims of Early Start are: * Prevent school failure * helps social skills * That the children involved in the programme will develop confidence in their ability to learn. * Creches have had to cut down on their fulltime staff due to the economic reasons. Instead of them working for 52 weeks a year they are being put on contract for 38 weeks a year 15 hours a week. www. barnardos. com CCS scheme
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS). The programme enables childcare services provide quality services at reduced rates to disadvantaged parents. From September 2012, the Community Childcare Subvention Programme funds community childcare services to provide reduced weekly fees to certain parents as follows: – Parents get a weekly fee reduction of €95 for a full-time service, €47. 50 for a part-time service, €31. 35 for sessional service and €15. 20 for a shorter hour’s service. This applies to parents who have a medical card and are getting one of the following: * certain social welfare payments * Family Income Supplement Community Employment payment * Secondary school students http://www. citizensinformation. ie/childcare/your_childcare_options. html CETS scheme This scheme replaced the payments given to parents by FAS and the VEC to help with their childcare requirements. Parents who are availing of certain training courses and initiatives are eligible for a CETS place, where a capitation of €170 per week is paid directly to childcare services to cover the cost of the childcare place. Donoghue and Gayner (2010) Health and welfare The government also provides free funding for the following: * Medical card * Child benefit * Social welfare/rent allowance Free dental treatment * Immunisation * Public health nurse Medical card – Health A medical card issued by HSE allows the person to receive free of charge treatments. To qualify for a medical card your weekly income must be below a certain figure for your family size. Anybody can apply for a medical card but you will be means tested. Normally, your dependent spouse or partner and your children are also covered for the same range of health services. Medical cards are small plastic cards. Unless you have a medical card, visits to GPs are not free. If you do not qualify for a medical card on income grounds, you may qualify for a GP visit.
If you have a medical card, you are entitled to: * Free GP services * Prescribed drugs and medicines * In-patient public hospital services, out-patient services and medical appliances * Dental, optical and aural services * Maternity and infant care services * Some personal and social care services, for example, public health nursing, social work services and other community care services * A maternity cash grant of €10. 16 on the birth of each child. Medical card holders pay €1. 50 charge per prescription item, subject to a monthly ceiling of €19. 50 per family. You can download a form from the link below. ttp://www. welfare. ie/en/pdf/cb1. pdf Child benefit – Welfare You need to apply for Child Benefit within 12 months of: * The birth of your baby * The month the child became a member of your family * The month the family came to live in Ireland Child Benefit is available to the parents of children under 16 years of age, or under 18 years of age if the child is in full-time education, youth reach training or has a disability. Child Benefit rates were reduced to €130 per month for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd child. Child Benefit rates were reduced to €140 per month for the 4th and subsequent children announced in Budget 2012.
Penalties for false or misleading statements made to obtain Child Benefit for you, or for any other person, include large fines or prison for up to three years Equal opportunity legislation I am going to talk a little bit here about the Equal Status Act 2004, the Epsen Act 2004 and Childcare Act 1991. Equal Status Act 2004 Equality has grown publicly in Ireland in recent years. This legislation does not allow discrimination in employment, including the employment of teachers, and in the provision of Goods and services, in the provision of accommodation and in Provision by educational establishments.
The nine grounds on which discrimination is not allowed are • Gender – Being male or female. • Marital status- Being single, Married, separated, Divorced or widowed. • Family status- Being Pregnant or having responsibility as a parent in relation to a person less than 18 years • Sexual orientation—– being Heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. • Religion- Having religious beliefs or having none • Age – Applies to everybody over 18 • Disability- The term ‘disability’ is broadly de? ned. It covers a wide range of impairments and illnesses. • Race- Includes race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins. Membership of the Traveller community- People who are commonly called Travellers, who are identi? ed by both Travellers and others as people with a shared history, culture and Traditions. Epsen act 2004 This act allows children with disabilities to be included into education and mainstream schools they must be provided with a special needs assistant. There must be correct technology for the disabled child also. There have been significant legal changes in recent years concerning special needs education. These changes affect the rights of children with disabilities and other children who suffer educational disadvantage for whatever reason.
Other specialist that should be provided for children with disabilities in the main stream school Speech and language therapist- Speech and language therapist helps children/adults with the issues they are having. They help them to communicate better and this also helps for when they need to be independent. Occupational therapist helps the child/ adult in being creative, imaginative and helps them a lot with their social skills and interaction with other children. There are over 140 special schools catering for particular types of disability and special needs.
Among them are special schools for students who have a general learning disability at a mild or moderate level schools for visually impaired and hearing impaired student a few schools for students with physical disabilities a small number of special schools for students who are emotionally disturbed. Childcare act 1991 Under the Child Care Act 1991 the HSE protects the welfare of child. They make sure that the child receives adequate care and protection. The definition of a child is a person under 18 years of age who is not or has not been married.
When carrying out its statutory duty the HSE must consider the following * It is generally in the best interests of the child to be brought up in his/her own family home. * The welfare of the child is the first thing taken into consideration. The wishes of the child should be taken into mind. * You must always Identify children who are not receiving proper care and protection. * Provide child care and family support services with the aim of helping parents to care for their children and to avoid the need for the children to be taken into care. * Prepare a report on the child and family and keep record of everything. Make sure that the environment is a safe place for the child to be bought up in * If a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, then the HSE must take them into care. This may happen for example, in the case of an orphan or an abandoned child. * The HSE may apply to the courts for a number of different orders. These orders give the courts a range of powers including decisions-making about the type of care necessary and about access to the children for parents and other relatives. National children’s strategy The National Children’s Strategy was a ten-year plan which was published by he Government in 2000. It was the blueprint for improving the lives of children. It had three main goals: * Children would have a voice in matters which affect them and their views would be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. * Children’s lives would be better understood. Children would receive quality supports and services to promote all aspects of their development. The best thing to do here to better understand the child is Listen- always listen to what the child has to say it could be very important if you don’t let them express themselves they will suppress what they were going to say , Think- before you Act.
Always stay calm no matter the situation. Outline maintaining a quality ECCE environment that complies with relevant regulations and standard. Definition of Quality: The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something quality of lifehttp://www. google. ie/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=definitionThere are many rules and regulations that come with childcare. You must always follow the preschool regulations. There are also other techniques you can follow these are Siolta and Aistear.
To have a good quality environment in the childcare settingAsk yourself these questions and if it adds up to your expectations it is a good quality setting. Is the environment safe, clean, bright, airy? Is the atmosphere welcoming and friendly? Are the facilities for resting, sleeping suitable for my child? Would you feel welcome to talk to the staff about your child? Is the food are clean and are the safety precautions taking by adults preparing food? The 2006 preschool regulations stateA person carrying out a childcare service may not inflict discipline on any child.
Definition of discipline: means to teach not to touch. Do not inflict any harm on to any child because you are not allowed and will go to prison. * Make sure no practise is disrespectful, degrading, exploitive, intimidating, emotionally, or physically harmful or neglectful things are carried out in respect of any child. * Ensure that the premises are of sound and stable structure and are suitable for providing preschool services. * Be clean, be hygienic and make sure you are protecting the setting from any infestations. Sterilise the work tops /toys and basic areas with Dettol.
Make sure to not go mad on the Dettol as the children will become immune to this and infection can be caught quicker. * Make sure all furniture, work and play surfaces are clean, suitable, non-toxic, and at a standard where it is safe for the child to be in. * Have suitable storage * Have suitable play areas, sleep areas, changing area. * Follow the child ratioMake sure the Health and safety and wellbeing of the child is being followed. * Adequate supervision * Outdoor play should be safe * No blind spots * Make sure fire extinguishers/fire drills are working and that there is a proper assembly point. Have a accident/report book * Have signs for washing hands up * Make sure there is correct policy’s for stress, bullying, general application regulations 2007Food and nutrition is also a big factor in the child’s development. If the child is in full day care this is how they should be fed. 5 hours. 2 meals/2 snacks (ex) breakfast, snack, lunch, snack. Siolta 2006 and Aistear 2009Siolta focuses on the standard. Aistear focuses on the curriculum. 12 Principles of Siolta 2006The principles of Siolta are the core values that control the way we work in early childhood care and education services.
They guide how we organize our services, how we relate to children and families, to each other and also how it is taught. * Value of early childcare * Parents as partners * Relationships * Equality * Children first * Diversity * Enriching environments * Safety, welfare and wellbeing * Role of the adult * Teamwork * Pedagogy * playAistear 2009The aim of aistear is to help every child grow and develop. Aistear is designed to support parents, early childhood practitioners and teachers in planning for and providing enriching, challenging and enjoyable learning opportunities for children.
It can be used in different types of settings including children’s homes, child-minding, and day care, preschool and school settings. The 12 principal of aistear 2009The child’s uniquenessplay and hands-on experiences Equality and diversityChildren as citizens. parents, family and communityThe adult’s role. learning and developmentactive learningrelevant and meaningful experiences Communication and languageThe learning environmentThe college of progressive education My conclusionMy conclusion is that adult’s parent teachers have a big role to play in the Child’s life.
They help them to develop mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. It is good to make good communication with parents to let them know what is going on both verbally when you see them or non-verbal by having newsletters or special parent’s notice boards. It could be hung in the collection area. I found it is also important to appropriately express your feelings to parents. I took in that Children’s confidence is boosted when praised and show off their art work I found this point good because it helps the child to grow.
It is also important to ask open minded questions for example (what colours where the leaves..? give an option of colours. I also found the legislation part interesting as I learned about more child care acts and regulations I didn’t know about before like the Child care Act and the Children’s first national guide. I liked this module and found out interesting points that will help me on my work placement to become a better teacher. I have also taken into account that by following aistear and siolta you can’t go wrong. You will have a very good nurturing setting for the child.
Bibliographyhttp://www. barnardos. ie/informationcentre/publicationsfreepublications/aparents_guide_to_the_child_care_preschool. regulations. htmal. Education and Care in the early years Donoghue and Gayner (2010)http://www. welfare. ie/en/pdf/cb1. pdf http:childcare act 199`1 – our children first a parent’s guide to the national child protection guidelines by Geraldine fox revised by Corinne Kingston. http://www. google. ie/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=definitionhttp://www. citizensinformation. ie/childcare/your_childcare_options. html . |
