Síolta is The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education 

 

 

Síolta

Introduction

Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education was developed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) on behalf of the Department of Education and Science.  The Framework was published in 2006 following a three-year developmental process, which involved consultation with more than 50 diverse organisations, representing childcare workers, teachers, parents, policy makers, researchers and other interested parties.  For the first time in Ireland, Síolta provides a common set of quality standards across a diverse range of settings for children aged from birth to six years based on the most up-to-date Irish and international research evidence.

Since the publication of Síolta, many early childhood services and individual practitioners have engaged informally with the Framework. This informal engagement has been supported by the dissemination of Síolta documentation and a large number of Síolta information workshops across the country. 

The implementation of Síolta, as the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, is an objective of the National Childcare Strategy and is supported by the National Childcare Investment Programme.  

The Free Pre-school year and Síolta

As part of the April 2009 budget, the Government announced the provision of a free Pre-School Year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children in the year prior to starting primary school. The initiative is operated by the Childcare Directorate of the OMCYA. 

Pre-school services who wish to participate in the Free Pre-School Year must agree to provide an appropriate educational programme for children in their pre-school year, which adheres to the principles of Síolta.  Services will be supported in meeting this requirement through the assistance of Síolta Co-ordinators and by their local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC). Síolta co-ordinators have been appointed by the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to work with pre-school services on quality improvement measures. The Early Years Education Policy Unit is providing a leadership and support role.