Other Useful Publications
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The state of play Beyond the gaudy fence |
The following publication is available to buy from The Children in Scotland Website
http://www.childreninscotland.org.uk/
Life changes: supporting the transition from early childhood services to school |
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Making the transition from early childhood services to school is a big event in a child’s life.There is wide variation in the age at which children start school across Europe, but whether this takes place at four or seven years of age, children benefit from help in making the adjustment. This issue will consider how educators and families can support children through the transition and ask if the emphasis should be on children preparing for school – or schools adjusting to the needs of their youngest children? |
General PDF downloadable material:
Click on headings for links to downlads.
A Guide for Developing Policies and Procedures in a Childcare Setting: The Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
This document is a reference guide developed to support childcare services to consolidate good quality Policies & Procedures and to assist providers in the day-to-day management of their service.
Most childcare services have some elements of documented Policies & Procedures that can be strengthened by a review based on these guidelines. New and developing services under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) can use the experience from other childcare services. This information is contained within these guidelines to ease the task of compiling comprehensive Policies & Procedures that meet your needs, the needs of staff, children and parents who form the heart of the childcare service you operate. These guidelines have been compiled in consultation with key stakeholders in the childcare sector and are complementary to other guidelines that have previously been developed, for example, Children First National Guidelines and those produced by the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations. This document is available at Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs www.omc.gov.ie
Caring for Your Child: Two to Five Years Old: HSE
This document discusses a wide range of topics in relation to young children’s development, health, welfare, behaviour, special needs, play, safety and many more topics. It also provides a range of advice for parents and useful contacts. This document is available from the Health Service Executive website www.hse.ie
Caring for Your Child: Six Months to Two Years Old: HSE
This document contains valuable information to help care for children over the next year and a half of their lives. Caring for your young child is an exciting and challenging time for everyone involved. The information is aimed at helping parents care for their child during early childhood. It contains information in relation to parents health, caring for young children, nutrition, health, sleeping, bathing, immunisation, common illnesses and may more interesting topics and tips. This document is available from the Health Service Executive website www.hse.ie
Childlinks – School aged programmes: Barnardos
This document is an edition of Childlinks, it is devoted to the theme of School Age Programmes. For many years Barnardos has provided out-of-school activities as part of an integrated model of community-based family support projects. Recently, as part of our advocacy work on educational disadvantage, we recommended the introduction of comprehensive out-of-school activities for all children, particularly those who are disadvantaged. In a series of articles, this edition of Childlinks aims to examine the topic from both Irish and international experience. Dr Paul Downes writes on behalf of the Quality Development of out-of-school services (QDOSS), which is calling for a national strategy on out-of-school services – a strategy that is sensitive to the needs of local contexts. Also this document looks at the United States experience of out-of-school time (OST) programmes. Stakeholders now acknowledge that youth need access to not just any programmes, but to well-designed, high-quality programmes. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Childlinks – Inclusive Education for Children with Special Educational Needs: Barnardos
This document is an edition of Childlinks, it is devoted to the theme of special needs. The overwhelming message which comes through the various voices of policy makers, practitioners, parents and people with a disability is that in the important areas of early intervention and pre-school provision there are major difficulties and inadequacies for children with special needs. In this article Mary Meaney sets out the National Disability Authority perspective on the measures that have been taken since the enactment of the Special Educational Needs Act, 2004. She observes that one of the areas of intervention which has received least attention is that of pre-school provision. Individual case studies and personal experiences are discussed along with definitions and regulations. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Children’s First: Department of Health and Children
This document is the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. It is divided up into six parts and gives a detailed account of each guideline. It also provides definitions of terms and offers guidance to childcare practitioners, health professionals, teachers, members of the Garda Síochána and all those that work with children in sports, community and voluntary organisations who are in a position of responsibility in recognising and responding to possible child abuse. This document is available from the Department of Health and Children at www.dohc.ie
Our Children First: Barnardos
This document is a parent’s guide to The National Child Protection Guidelines. The purpose of this guide is to explain to parents the hows and whys of protecting children. The three main sections outline what you should do if you are worried that a child you know is being abused, what happens if you are investigated by the health board for child abuse and what you can do to make sure your own children are safe when they are in someone else’s care. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Diversity and Equality Guidelines for Childcare Providers: The Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
This document is provided by the National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010. The Guidelines which are set out in this report provide an excellent basis to inform all of us who have an interest or work directly in the childcare sector. They provide relevant and practical information on the steps which can be taken to support equal and inclusive treatment. This document is available at Office for the Minister for Children www.omc.gov.ie
National Childcare Strategy – A Guide for Parents: The Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
This document provides a detailed guide to the strategy for parents. It outlines how the strategy effects and supports parents of young children and provides information on related topics, i.e. about entitlements. This document is available at Office for the Minister for Children www.omc.gov.ie
A Guide for Parents about the Free Pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): The Office for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
The ECCE is a new scheme designed to give children access to a free Pre-School Year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting-point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment. In this document information on eligibility, enrolment, funding and contact numbers which will be useful for parents. This document is available at Office for the Minister for Children www.omc.gov.ie
A Guide to Games and Activities for 0-5 years: Barnardos
Barnardos, Irelands leading children’s charity, have put together a useful guide for providing games and activities for young children. The activities are simple and cost effective. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Cot Death Booklet: HSE
This document is provided by the HSE and focuses on reducing cot deaths. This booklet is packed full of safety and health tips to reduce cot death. This document is available from the Health Service Executive website www.hse.ie
Learning Together – A Parents Guide to Early Childhood Learning: Barnardos
This guide is for the parents of young children between birth and six years of age. As research has consistently shown these early years of life are critical to the emotional and intellectual development of a child. This document aims to provide parents with information about the value of early childhood learning and the impact it can have on a child’s quality of life, their overall development and their future opportunities and experiences. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Parental involvement – A Handbook for Childcare Providers: Barnardos
This guide explores strategies that enable childcare providers to engage parents in their child’s learning and social development. It is important also that practitioners learn to allow for the level of involvement that each parent is comfortable with. Practitioners can create a climate where parents and carers are encouraged to have an active participation in decision making and are able to question, challenge and make choices concerning their child while positively affirming the professional role of staff. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
A Parent’s Guide to the Childcare (Pre-school Services) Regulations 2006: Barnardos
The purpose of this guide is to provide parents and guardians of young children with information about the Pre-School Regulations, 2006. These Regulations, made under the Child Care Act, 1991, came into effect in September 2007. The aim of these Regulations is to improve childcare standards and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children, as well as promoting their development while attending pre-school services. The Government can ensure consistent levels of quality across all childcare services by legally requiring them to meet basic standards. This document is available from the Barnardos website www.barnardos.ie
Strategy for the Development of Childminding Ireland 2009 – 2012: Childminding Ireland
This Strategic Plan is formulated to guide Childminding Ireland in its mission to carry out the objectives of the organisation as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association under which funding and charity status are held. It describes the strategic focus of activity to be undertaken to achieve the objectives at this time, supported by a set of high level strategic goals. The Strategic Plan defines the Vision, Mission and Ethos of Childminding Ireland, which underpin the activities of the Board of Directors and the executive. This document is available from the childminding website at www.childminding.ie
Start strong: Advancing Children's Early Care & Education
Start Strong is a national organisation committed to advancing early care and education in Ireland. Start Strong advocates evidence-based policy-making. Start Strong have very useful information for both childcare practitioners and parents. Children 2020: giving children a strong start in life, early child care and education and the foundations of growth are particularly interesting documents. These documents are available at www.startstrong.ie
This approved Interim Code of Practice sets out an agreed means for the Pre-School Inspectorate to determine compliance of Pre-school Service Providers with legislative requirements. It has been developed in line with the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and the Child Care Acts 1991 – 2007. This document is available from the Health Service Executive website www.hse.ie
Child’s Booklet on Diabetes - Meet Pete the Pancreas: Diabeties Federation of Ireland
This is a child-centered booklet with a fun story for children to engage in to help them understand about diabetes and medication. This document is available from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland at www.diabeties.ie
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