Information and Criteria
Families are the most important people in children’s lives. Early Childhood Ireland and The National Parent Council recognise that strong partnerships between families and early years services are central to children’s well-being and belonging.
The National Parents Council is presenting a partnership with families’ innovation award to an early years’ service who consistently build meaningful relationships with their families. There are many ways and approaches of partnering with families and we would like you to tell us about your innovative way of involving families in your early years’ service.
You may be guided by Aistear: The National Curriculum Framework, Síolta, The National Quality Framework – Standard 3 Parents and families.
Consent
Early Childhood Ireland will be exhibiting the winners of this award on our website and these stories may also be used in our research, training, and publications. Therefore, we need to have permission from children, parents and staff appearing in any photographs submitted.
Click to download the relevant consent forms:
The relevant consent forms are be completed for each person appearing in the photographs in the submission.
How to apply
Please fill out the application form. Use the following criteria when describing your innovation project which is set out on the application form.
- The story of your partnership with families
- The overall benefits/impact of the innovation
- How the innovation was implemented
- Relationship of the innovation to the Early Years Frameworks/The ability of the innovation to influence others
To make your application, please download and complete:
- Partnership with Families Award Application Form
- Parental consent form (if required)
- Adult consent form (if required)
- Consent submission form (if required)
Application forms will be accepted from 1 December 2018 until the closing date 28th February 2019.
These forms are to be submitted by email to partnershipaward@earlychildhoodireland.ie with the subject: Partnership with Families Innovation Award
or posted to:
Partnership with Families Innovation Award,
Early Childhood Ireland,
Hainault House,
Belgard Sq. Sth.,
Tallaght,
Dublin
D24RFVO
Please note:
Nominations/applications will not be accepted until we receive the necessary consent forms and the consent submission form. If we receive an application without consent forms and/or completed consent submission form, we will delete the application from our system and ask the sender to re-submit with relevant consent forms/consent submission form. At the end of the award judging process, all unsuccessful applications/nominations will be deleted from our system.
Eligibility
The setting must be a member of Early Childhood Ireland.
Judging and selection
For information on the judging process, please click here
Recognising Excellence
The prize for the winner of this prestigious award will be presented at the Early Childhood Ireland Awards night in April 2019. Along with formal certificate of recognition, a monetary prize will be presented to the winning setting, to recognise their achievement.
Timeline of the Award Process
| 1 December 2018 | Nominations accepted now |
| 28 February 2019 | Nominations closed |
| 24 March 2019 | Shortlist Nominees will be contacted |
| 12 April 2019 | Winner will be announced at the National Awards Evening |
The winner of this Award will be profiled across National and Regional media in addition to The National Parent Council and Early Childhood Ireland’s magazine, website and social media.
If you have any queries about this award and the process, please contact Debbie Mullen at dmullen@earlychildhoodireland.ie or 087 653 6933.
