Early Start Pre-School Pilot Project
The objective of the Early Start pre-school programme is to expose young children to an educational programme which will enhance their overall development and lay a foundation for successful educational attainment in future years. This pilot programme is very significant. All research evidence from experience in this country and abroad indicates that high quality pre-school education can play an important part in offsetting the effects of social disadvantage and in preventing educational disadvantage.
Eight centres of greatest disadvantage, one in Cork, one in Limerick and six in Dublin were selected in 1994, for the provision of this service on a pilot scheme basis. The areas in question were selected after detailed consideration of needs across the disadvantaged areas. The Early Start Pre-School Programme was subsequently extended to further schools in disadvantaged areas bringing the total number of schools with this service to forty.
Each centre, set up in vacant classrooms in selected primary schools, caters for 60 pupils between 3 and 4 years of age. The centres' timetable allows for pupils to attend morning and afternoon classes, thus maximising the potential of the centres. Two classes of 15 children attend pre-school each morning from 9.00 to 11.30am and a similar number of children attend in the afternoon from 12.00 to 2.30pm. Each pre-school centre is staffed by 2 qualified Primary School Teachers and 2 qualified Childcare Workers. The Childcare Workers are appointed by the relevant schools' Board of Management.
The minimum qualification for Childcare Workers in Early Start is a one year full time post leaving certificate Level 2 qualification validated by the N.C.V.A. - 'The National Vocational Certificate: Community & Health Services - Childcare, Level 2' - or equivalent qualifications.
Fulltime courses in Childcare, Pre-school Care or Social Care, of longer duration, which are validated by the National Council for Vocational Awards (N.C.V.A.) or the National Council for Educational Awards (N.C.E.A.) or equivalent qualifications are also recognised. The National Nurseries Education Board (N.N.E.B.) Diploma in Nursery Nursing awarded by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education (CACHE) is recognised as an equivalent qualification. The FAS/City and Guilds Certificate Childcare 2 - Childcare Worker is also recognised as an equivalent qualification.
Where a case is being made that other qualifications are equivalent, it is necessary for the Training Institution, which provides that qualification, to apply to the N.C.V.A. to seek equivalence recognition.
All Teachers and Childcare Workers involved with the centres receive in-service development.
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The following grants are also provided:-
5,713.82Euro per classroom 'start up' grant for the purchase of a range of suitable equipment.
2,539.48Euro per centre per annum for the purchase of materials/equipment
1,904.60Euro per centre per annum for the development of parental involvement.
95.23Euro per pupil annual capitation grant to the schools' Board of Management, to be used as funding support for day to day running costs of the centre.
Social Inclusion Unit,
Department of Education & Science,
Cornamaddy,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
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