Minister for Education and Skills launches public consultation on early years education

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, today launched a public consultation on early years education, as part of a major review of early years qualifications.

The Minister is inviting submissions from all interested parties, including childcare practitioners, students, parents, education and training providers, employers in the sector, and anyone else with an interest in this area.

She said: “We want this qualifications review to be informed by the views of those who know most about early years education. The review aims to ensure that childcare practitioners are being equipped with the most appropriate blend of knowledge and skills to support quality educational outcomes for all of our children in early years settings.”

The public consultation process is accompanied by specific surveys for childcare practitioners and employers in the sector.

The Minister acknowledged the positive contribution made by practitioners in supporting children to develop to their full potential: “Childcare practitioners support the educational, physical, and social development of our youngest children. Their work in stimulating children’s natural curiosity and providing the foundations of learning is an essential element of the overall education continuum. So I hope that childcare practitioners in particular, as well as those studying for such a role, will engage with these consultations, to ensure that their views on their professional qualifications are heard.”

The closing date for submissions is Friday 10th April 2015. The findings from the public consultation (including the surveys) will be presented at a forum in the Department, before the review is finalised.

Further information on the public consultation process, including the template for submissions and the stakeholder specific surveys, can be accessed here:

http://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Early-Childhood/Public-Consultation.html