‘…what we need is a uniquely Irish model’

So said the Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald at Early Childhood Ireland’s “Green Shoots” childcare seminar this weekend, to an audience of 150 childcare professionals, students and policy makers from around the country.

The Minister opened the seminar in the Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin emphasizing the big questions about the scale of national investment in childcare, reiterating how she and her department are working actively on a second year in the free preschool scheme and the building blocks to this, such as the training and development of the workforce.  She also highlighted childcare for under ones, as an “area of concern”, given the reality facing parents in Ireland who can take less time off and who need more choice and support in terms of their childcare options.

 
Hosted by Early Childhood Ireland, which represent over 3,300 preschool, daycare (crèche) and afterschool centres nationwide supporting over 100,000 children and their families, the seminar explored the key issues in childcare in Ireland today.  Irene Gunning, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland said, “Children lives matter and so do the adults who work closely with them.  What we need is a training fund and a workforce that is not only qualified to do the job but is also paid properly to do so.”

Professor of Psychology at Trinity College and author Ian Robertson talked about “The Winner Effect” and how parental attitudes to children’s academic and other performance can significantly affect how they deal with success and failure and how the ego of successful parents might “hide the ladder” to success for their children.

Internationally renowned early years advocate, author and researcher, Professor Ferre Laevers from the University of Leuven suggested measures of children’s well-being and involvement, as key indicators of emotional health and learning within the preschool curriculum and beyond.

Professor Ferre Laevers now travels to Cork’s Silver Springs Moran Hotel for another Early Childhood Ireland seminar tomorrow on Monday 22nd April at 7pm to 10pm and Galway’s Clayton Hotel on Tuesday 23rd April at 7pm to 10pm. 

 
Further information: 
Irene Gunning 087 4174004 or Carmel Doyle 087 2473537