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Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty

An ABC Early Years Practice to Policy Event

Image by Moatview Early Education Centre, Priorswood, Dublin

Learning Community Event Report

17 February 2016, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland

Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty, an ABC Early Years Practice to Policy Event

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Acknowledgements

The authors of this report are indebted to the members of the ABC Learning Community Planning Group for their

contribution to the planning and organising of this ABC Learning Community Event. The Planning Group was

supported by Early Years Mentors from across the ABC Areas in planning and co-ordinating this event. A special

thanks to Kimberly Kendall from the Centre for Effective Services for her role in organising the event and supporting

the Planning Group in preparation for the day.

The ABC Learning Community Planning Group is grateful to all contributors and attendees for taking the time to

prepare for, travel to and engage in the event. The Planning Group would also like to thank the funders of the ABC

Programme, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and The Atlantic Philanthropies, without whom the work

would not be possible.

This report was compiled by Ciaran O’Donnell, Dr Aisling Sheehan and Dr John Bamber from the Centre for Effective Services.

Contents

Background and Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3

Programme ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Welcome and Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4

The Impact of Poverty on Children’s Outcomes in the Early Years ........................................................................... 5

Improving Quality in Early Years Settings in Areas Experiencing Disadvantage ....................................................... 6

Policy Developments to Support Early Years Practice .............................................................................................. 7

The Local Experience of Early Years Practice in the ABC Programme....................................................................... 8

Panel Discussion .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

Breakout and Closing Sessions ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Participant Feedback – Key Quotes ................................................................................................................................ 15

Appendix A: Members of ABC Learning Community Planning Group ............................................................................ 16

Appendix B: Programme ................................................................................................................................................. 17

Appendix C: Attendees.................................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix D: Biographies of Contributors ....................................................................................................................... 21

Appendix E: Early Years Supports Across the ABC Programme Areas ............................................................................ 23


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Background and Introduction

The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme

The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is a prevention and early intervention initiative targeting investment in

effective services to improve outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. It is funded by the

Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and the Atlantic Philanthropies, with a total investment of almost

€30 million between 2013 and 2017. The ABC Programme is being delivered in 13 areas of disadvantage in Ireland.

For further information on the ABC Programme, visit here.

The ABC Learning Community

The ABC Learning Community provides a platform for ABC areas and stakeholders in the ABC Programme to share

learning, knowledge and practice, and to support one another to deliver effective and integrated services. It aims to:

Connect individuals, agencies and organisations within and across ABC areas;

Provide a forum for information sharing, peer support and self-reflection; and

Disseminate collective learning from the ABC Programme and influence national policy and practice.

The ABC Learning Community Planning Group assists the ABC Learning Community to meet the needs of its

members. This Group includes representatives from both the ABC areas and the programme management

organisations, Pobal and the Centre for Effective Services (CES). It determines the structure of Learning Community

events around identified themes. Themes explored to date include oral language, leveraging, and quality early years

practice. The Planning Group was supported by Early Years Mentors from across the ABC areas in planning and co-

ordinating this event. For a list of all those involved in planning the event, please see Appendix A.

Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty, an ABC early Years Practice to Policy Event

The fourth ABC Learning Community Event was held in Dublin Castle on 17th February 2016. The event was entitled

‘Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty, an ABC early Years Practice to Policy Event’ and comprised

keynote speakers, a panel discussion, and afternoon workshop sessions. The full programme is outlined in Appendix

B. Overall, the day considered the need to enhance and empower the Early Years sector in Ireland, with equal

attention to quality, sustainability and development issues. There were 111 attendees, including staff and

representatives from ABC areas and a wide range of stakeholders (see Appendix C for a full list of attendees).

The presentations for the day’s proceedings can be found here.

http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2FNational_Childrens_Advisory_Council_.htm

http://www.effectiveservices.org/resources/article/early-years-driving-quality-and-challenging-poverty-event


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Programme

Welcome and Introduction

The event was opened by two representatives from the planning group for the event, Eleanor McClorey, CEO of

youngballymun and Laura Dagger, Early Years Mentor of the Blue Skies Initiative in Clondalkin. The speakers

welcomed participants and provided an overview of the theme of the event on driving quality and challenging

poverty in the Early Years. They outlined how the purpose of event was to explore this theme from the perspectives

of research, policy and practice and to share and discuss practice learning. Eleanor and Laura introduced the

programme and the keynote speakers (see Appendix D for speaker biographies).


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The Impact of Poverty on Children’s Outcomes in the Early Years

Dr Dorothy Watson, Associate Professor, the Economic and Social Research Institute

Dr Watson highlighted the importance of the topic of child poverty and its

effects on children’s wellbeing and future outcomes. She examined the

consequences of the recent financial recession on children’s development,

drawing on data on over 17,000 families who participated in the Growing Up in

Ireland Survey (GUI). GUI is an Irish study of families with children and data has

been collected at multiple points of time since 2008.

Dr Watson defined people as ‘economically vulnerable’ (EV) if they were living in

families with low income, household joblessness and economic stress. EV

increased for families during the recession. Between 2008 and 2011, EV rose

from between 15-19% to 25%. Risk factors for EV included lone parent families, larger families, cohabiting vs.

married couples, low maternal education, and younger age of mother. Those becoming EV during the recession were

a broader group with more married couples and parents with higher levels of education. Families that were

particularly affected by the recession were working-age families at risk of job loss, home purchasers who bought at

the ‘peak’ of the boom, business starters, and households at the family formation stage.

Dr Watson examined the impact of EV on children’s socio-emotional development. She defined socio-emotional

problems as including emotional or conduct problems, hyperactivity or inattention, and problems in relationships

with peers. EV was associated with a higher risk of social-emotional problems for both boys and girls. Children were

less likely to have socio-emotional problems if their mother was in their 30s at the time of birth, if their mother was

not emotionally distressed, or if there was a good relationship between parents in couple families.

In concluding, Dr Watson highlighted the implications of the research findings. As a result of the recession, a broader

group of children are economically vulnerable in Ireland. There is a need for policy to find the optimal mix of income

support, education, training and support for employment. Child care is particularly important for lone parent

families, and interventions being implemented need to enhance protective factors for Irish families, such as mental

well-being and family relationships.

http://www.growingup.ie/index.php?id=83

http://www.growingup.ie/index.php?id=83


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Improving Quality in Early Years Settings in Areas Experiencing Disadvantage

Professor Nóirín Hayes, Visiting Professor, Trinity College Dublin

Drawing from research, practice and policy, Professor Hayes identified the role

that Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) plays in child development and

learning and explored how to improve and support quality early years services to

enhance child development. Definitions and language differ yet ECEC is

internationally recognised as the first stage of education. Professor Hayes

described quality as a ‘mercurial’ concept and presented a range of definitions.

The European Quality Framework (2014) describes the following components of

quality: Accessibility, Workforce, Curriculum, Monitoring and Governance.

The role of quality ECEC in promoting child development and reducing

inequalities was recognised by the 2015 Report of the Inter-Departmental

Working Group: Future Investment in Childcare in Ireland. It was questioned whether the broad range of

expectations of early education (economic, social, and educational) was unrealistic. Early education is not a magic

bullet and cannot function in isolation. Greater investment in services is also needed to support the development of

quality services. Investment in ECEC in Ireland is between 0.2-0.4%, whereas the OECD average is 0.8%.

Drawing from research on ECEC and child development, Professor Hayes demonstrated that children from age 2

benefit from ECEC and that the quality and duration of ECEC matters. She also outlined the most important factors

for quality, effective early years for children. Babies and young children benefit most when relationships with babies

and young children occur within stable, caring and interactive learning environments. Interactions are critical spaces

for learning and must be positive and occur on a fairly regular basis over extended periods of time. Everyday

intentional interactions and play are hugely important for healthy brain development. The quality of these early

experiences can determine how sturdy or fragile the foundations are for learning and behaviour over time.

The Effective Provision of Preschool Education (EPPE) study

identified a number of key factors in effective ECEC practices and

that a common feature of successful programmes was the quality of

staff: well trained, motivated, and clear in their purpose. Staff

investment is therefore critical. Professor Hayes outlined a number

of things currently supporting quality (see right). She also highlighted

a number of challenges including a lack of implementation strategy

for frameworks, no strategic investment in training for staff, no

career or professional structure, insufficient funding to facilitate on-

site quality supports, and increased inspection and administration.

She called upon the ABC Learning Community to harness collective

energy to share and strengthen sectoral learning.

http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework/archive/documents/ecec-quality-framework_en.pdf

http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/earlyyears/20150722IDGReportonEarlyYrsInvestmentReport.pdf



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Policy Developments to Support Early Years Practice

Ms Bernie McNally, Assistant Secretary General, DCYA

Ms McNally presented on the recent and upcoming policy developments to support

early years practice in Ireland. Recent policy developments include:

• Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The national policy framework for children

and young people 2014-2020

• The Inter-Departmental Group Report on Future Investment in Childcare

• The Inter-Departmental Group Report on Supporting Access to Early Childhood

Care and Education for Children with a Disability

A model to support access to the Free Pre-School Year for children with disabilities and

the Early Years Strategy are currently under development (information now available

here).

Ms McNally acknowledged the need to increase investment in early years and highlighted the increase of

government spending in 2015-2016 of over €85 million euro. The growth in funding expands the reach of investment

to include:

• Extending the ECCE free pre-school year into a second year, allowing children to benefit from an average of

61 weeks, up from the current 38 week entitlement

• Supports for children with disabilities

• Investments in quality, through the Learner Fund, Inspections, Síolta Activity and Audits

• 37% increase of low cost childcare places from 35,000 to 48,000

• Investment in after-school services through capitation, consultations and standards.

She also explored how current and future investment in supporting early years practice aligned with the five

components of quality identified by the European Quality Framework (2014) (see below). The presentation also

considered imminent policy shapers of early years practice in Ireland including the ABC Programme, the Quality and

Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI) currently being developed by DCYA, and the Review of the Delivering Equality of

Opportunity in our Schools (DEIS) Programme being conducted by the Department of Education and Skills. Ms

McNally acknowledged the meaningful contribution that attendees could make to informing policy development and

called upon attendees to consider developing practical recommendations that would support quality early years

practice.

http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/cypp_framework/BetterOutcomesBetterFutureReport.pdf

http://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/cypp_framework/BetterOutcomesBetterFutureReport.pdf


http://www.hea.ie/sites/default/files/idg_report_-_supporting_access_to_ecce_for_children_with_a_disability_final.pdf

http://www.hea.ie/sites/default/files/idg_report_-_supporting_access_to_ecce_for_children_with_a_disability_final.pdf

http://www.preschoolaccess.ie/

http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework/archive/documents/ecec-quality-framework_en.pdf


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The Local Experience of Early Years Practice in the ABC Programme

Three practitioners presented on their work within the early years ABC Programme, representing Early Year

mentors, managers and front-line practitioners. This presentation showcased the variety of initiatives operating in

the ABC Programme, and how quality early years practice is being developed for those involved.

Ms Sharon Byrne, Early Years Mentor, Better Finglas

Ms Byrne presented on the work of Early Years Mentors across ABC areas which

includes onsite mentoring in early years settings, interagency initiatives, parenting

supports, training and development, and speech and language supports (see slide

below). In total, ABC areas are working with 144 settings, 1,235 practitioners and

6,528 children. The work of the Mentors is supported and guided by Aistear and

Síolta, our National Early Childhood Frameworks. For more details, see Appendix E.

She highlighted research evidence that tells us that the quality of early childhood

education and care has a direct impact on the developmental outcomes of children,

and this is particularly true for children experiencing disadvantage. Mentoring and

training supports for early years professionals working in disadvantaged areas can

enhance the quality of early years experiences for children in these settings. While mentoring is not a new concept,

the introduction of formal mentoring within the early years sector is a recent development. The EU report on

Competence Requirements in Early Childhood Education and Care (2011) recognises ‘continuous pedagogical

support’ as a means of improving the competence of teams working with young children.

http://download.ei-ie.org/Docs/WebDepot/CoReResearchDocuments2011.pdf


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Ms Kelda Barnes, Manager, Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd., Preparing for Life

Kelda Barnes manages the Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service, known

as Jigsaw, which is the largest community childcare setting in Ireland, providing full

and part-time places for 260 children and employing 95 staff. The service receives

support from Preparing for Life in Northside Partnership. The ABC early years team

which includes a programme manager, quality mentor and speech and language

therapist, provides a professional development programme which includes

training, mentoring and on-site support. In collaboration with Preparing for Life,

Jigsaw has:

• Completed the Síolta Quality assurance process and achieved Validation

• Accessed training for all staff members to use Aistear’s planning and

assessment tools, to deliver an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum

• Availed of financial support for practitioners completing Early Childhood Education degrees

• Reviewed, adapted and improved the learning environment, indoors and out

• Created a Curriculum Statement, which is reviewed annually

• Fostered links and developed relationships with other local EY centres, staff and managers

• Improved their practice to address children’s oral language needs by participating in HanenTM training and

having access to a speech and language therapist

• Participated in leadership training and mentoring for senior staff

• Improved staff confidence and capacity.

Ms Barnes also highlighted some of the ongoing challenges in participating in these supports, including the demands

on time for staff and financial sustainability (see slide below).

The presentation ended with a short video featured on the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide website which demonstrates

the work of the service in action, focusing on facilitating children to learn new vocabulary. The video can be viewed

here.

http://www.ncca.ie/en/Practice-Guide

https://player.vimeo.com/video/134708406


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Ms Karen Barrett, Key Worker, St Margaret’s Pre-School, youngballymun

Ms Barrett is a Key Worker with St. Margaret’s Traveller Pre-School in Ballymun, an

early years service with 24 children aged between 2½-5 years and six members of

staff. She spoke about her experiences as an early years practitioner receiving a

range of professional development supports from youngballymun, including

training and mentoring in High Scope, HanenTM, infant mental health, Aistear, and

mentoring support through the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme.

Ms Barret highlighted the wider benefits such as being more integrated with other

local practitioners and organisations like schools and HSE services. She also

reported better teamwork among staff, with greater clarity of roles and

responsibilities, improved communication, and strong leadership. She and her

colleagues have developed better relationships with parents and have introduced a key worker system which has

enhanced communication with parents. The following professional and personal impacts were also highlighted:

• Child-led instead of teacher-led, leading to reduction in conflict

• More tuned into children's needs and interests

• More confident as a professional and less stress

• Enhanced engagement in observation and feedback

• Ongoing training and development

The supports have led to many improvements including in the learning environment, as demonstrated below.


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Panel Discussion

The panel discussion was chaired by Toby Wolfe, Policy and Research Officer with Startstrong. This session allowed the audience members to pose questions to the speakers and to share ideas in response to the previous presentations. A number of questions were asked and discussed by the panel:

How do early years supports tackle child poverty?

The impact of early years supports provided under the ABC Programme on child poverty was queried. Dr Watson

said that by adopting an area-based approach in pockets of disadvantage, other people experiencing poverty will not

be reached. She noted that the work of ABC areas are exemplars of best practice in early years settings and can be

effective in improving child development, which may have effects on poverty later in life; they cannot act as a

substitute for an anti-poverty strategy. Professor Hayes said that the work of ABC areas can have an indirect effect

on child poverty and that there is evidence that ABC areas are working with hard-to-reach families. She noted that

ECEC supports alone are insufficient and that they need to be embedded into a cohesive, supportive system.

How do early years supports challenge transgenerational issues?

The transgenerational influence of early years educaton on environmental issues was raised and it was queried

whether the national frameworks (Aistear and Síolta) could be developed to address this. Professor Hayes said that

Aistear and Síolta are very positive developments but are now perhaps due for revision and that this is something

that could be considered. Ms Byrne noted that the High Scope curriculum has a section on ecology and environment.

Could the DEIS initiative be extended to include early years settings?

The potential for the Department of Education and Skill’s DEIS initiative to be extended to include early years

settings was questioned. Ms McNally said that the current review of the DEIS initiative provides an opportunity to

put further spotight on ECEC and that the ABC programme should inform the review process. Professor Hayes noted

that there are children who do not live in disadvantaged areas that are disadvantaged, but that the idea of clusters

of targeted supports is positive. Ms Byrne added that an opportunity to have smaller ratios of staff to children in

ECEC settings, as is the case in schools under the DEIS initiative, would be a positive development.


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Breakout and Closing Sessions

Breakout Sessions

During the breakout sessions, small group discussions were facilitated on the following themes:

Improving Professional Standing

Policy Context

Building Capacity

Quality Representatives from five ABC areas facilitated the breakout sessions:

Catherine O’Brien, Joanne Murphy, Maria O’Dwyer, Marie Cuddihy, and Fiona Hassett. Each group discussed and

recorded key messages. The facilitators from each session then presented the key findings to all attendees in the

closing session.

Conclusion and feedback

Dr Aisling Sheehan, Project Specialist, Centre for Effective Services

Dr Sheehan concluded the Learning Community Event by inviting each of the five facilitators to the stage and

discussing the learning from each session. In doing so, the learning generated on the day was shared, with a focus on

identifying key messages around professional standing, policy, building capacity and quality. Notes from the

breakout sessions were used to supplement the key messages shared on the day and these messages are

summarised below.

Improving Professional Standing

Learning:

The morale and professional standing of early years practitioners is low and efforts towards the professionalisation

of the workforce through the introduction of minimum qualifications, the Learner Fund, and continuous professional

development (CPD) opportunities are welcomed. Professional development opportunities afforded through

initiatives such as the ABC Programme and Better Start including training, needs-based mentoring supports and the

development of peer learning fora empower the workforce to deliver better quality provision for children. Key

challenges facing services are the poor salaries and terms and conditions of staff, turnover of staff, low self-belief of

staff in their professional roles, and the lack of resources to release staff to engage in professional development

opportunities. Many staff have to engage in professional development outside of work hours and work/life balance

can be out of kilter.

Recommendations:

Introduce five mandatory and fully funded days of CPD, linked to the Aistear and Síolta frameworks

Develop a national standardised approach to training and CPD, with consistency in the following: training

content and delivery, quality standards, and self-reflective practices

Gather data on types of CPD being rolled out and share good practice to inform a national CPD approach


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Roll out leadership training to build confidence and capacity and assign leadership roles to permanent staff,

e.g. communication champion

Develop a professional registration system for the early years workforce, linked to quality and recognised

CPD (and consistent pay scales down the line)

Develop consistent terminology for the sector and the professional role of early years workers

Policy Context

Learning:

Policy direction outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and recent reports by Inter-Departmental Groups on

investing in childcare and accessing ECEC for children with a disability are positive developments. Structures to

support the implementation of joined-up working including Children and Young People’s Services Committees and

Meitheal are also welcomed. Whilst these polices and structures exist, better communication is needed on these

developments with frontline services and parents. More policy focus is also needed in early childhood and joined-up

thinking and planning is needed so that there is coherent strategic policy. Clarity is also needed on whether policy is

driven by concerns with child development or parental employment. Some developments have been fragmented,

e.g. training opportunities require services to close, but contracts with Pobal do not allow for this. In addition, the

introduction of the free pre-school year has led to a move of more qualified staff from infant and toddler rooms to

working with pre-schoolers, introducing a risk that the 0-3s cohort is neglected. Developments should be more

joined-up and driven by evidence on what supports quality practice, rather than economic factors. More policy

attention is needed for addressing resource deficits and requirements for accessing special needs services.

Recommendations:

Deliver on the forthcoming Early Years Strategy

Provide adequate resources to implement policy commitments and commit to longer-term investments to

enable the embedding of practices and future sustainability of the work

Meaningful consultation and partnerships between parents, children, practitioners and policy-makers key to

developing a supportive policy context

Building Capacity

Learning:

Learning focused on building the capacity of staff, services and boards. In relation to staff and services, it was

considered that professional development opportunities provided by the ABC Programme were valuable and

replicable in other disadvantaged communities. The experience of practitioners who have both delivered and

received mentoring supports is that it builds the confidence and self-esteem of staff, leading to a more empowered

and skilful workforce. We need to “ask more about the workforce, not ask more of them” and put the resources in

place to build their capacity and provide them with a voice. Regarding the capacity of boards, challenges highlighted

were difficulty in identifying people with the right specialisms, getting a gender balance, getting state/political

representation, particularly in rural areas, and a focus on operational rather than quality issues. A general key

learning identified was that the principles of community development needed to be married with attention to

quality, and not dilute one in favour of the other.


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Recommendations:

Provide training for boards to build relevant expertise and skills required and training for managers to build

their capacity to support boards

Review the title of early years workers so that it encompasses an education focus (e.g. early childhood

educator), whilst not losing the ‘care’ aspect of the role

Ensure that a focus on the 0-3s cohort is maintained and that capacity-building efforts for staff are not solely

focused on the pre-school age

Ensure capacity-building supports, such as mentoring, are accessible across the country and are provided

with consistency in approach, delivery and message

Quality

Through access to initiatives such as the ABC Programme, staff is developing expertise and skills for delivering a high

quality service for children. An important aspect of quality improvements identified was having access to and

working with speech and language therapists, who build the capacity of early years workers to support children’s

development in speech, language and communication. Access to training and supports for reflective practice and the

delivery of evidence-based programmes also enable quality improvements. Challenges, some of which have already

been highlighted, include releasing staff to engage in training and supports, lack of resources, variable quality of

training provided through the Learner Fund, and a lack of professional body to oversee training. There is also

fragmentation in structures, funding, reporting and inspection. Engaging parents can be challenging and children

most in need may not be accessing the services.

Recommendations:

Provide services with ‘core’ funding, resources and capitation

Increase investments in supports for quality improvement

Provide access to County and City Childcare Committees on a national basis

Broaden the scope of the Learner Fund to access Levels 7 and 8 qualifications


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Participant Feedback – Key Quotes


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Appendix A: Members of ABC Learning Community Planning Group

The ABC Learning Community Planning Group assists the ABC Learning Community to meet the needs of its

members. The Planning Group includes representatives from both ABC areas and the programme management

organisations, Pobal and CES. The Group determines the structure of Learning Community events around identified

themes.

For this event, ‘Early Years: Driving Quality and Challenging Poverty, an ABC early years practice to policy

event’, the Planning Group was supported by Early Years Mentors from across the ABC areas.

The members of the ABC Learning Community Planning Group are:

Bernie Laverty (Ballyfermot/Chapelizod, Family Matters)

Eleanor McClorey (Ballymun, youngballymun)

Hugh Doogan (Louth, The Genesis Programme)

Katherine Harford (Cork, Young Knocknaheeney)

Mairéad Conroy (Dublin Docklands and East Inner City)

Mary Rose Costello (Bray, Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Rebecca Moore (Finglas, Better Finglas)

Margaret Cleary (Pobal)

John Bamber (Centre for Effective Services)

Aisling Sheehan (Centre for Effective Services)

Ciaran O’Donnell (Centre for Effective Services)

The Early Years Mentors who have assisted the Planning Group in organising this event are:

Aileen Kelleher (Limerick City, Start Right)

Claire Gleeson (Louth, The Genesis Programme)

Joanne Roe (Ballymun, youngballymun)

Laura Dagger (Clondalkin, Blue Skies Initiative)

Sandra O’Neill (Darndale, Preparing for Life)

Sharon Byrne (Finglas, Better Finglas)


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Appendix B: Programme

9:30am Registration, Tea/coffee

10:30am

Welcome and introduction

Eleanor McClorey, CEO, youngballymun

Laura Dagger, Early Years Mentor, Clondalkin Blue Skies Initiative

10:45am The impact of poverty on children’s outcomes in the early years

Dr Dorothy Watson, Associate Professor, The Economic and Social Research Institute

11:05am Improving quality in early years settings in areas experiencing disadvantage


11:25am Break

11:40am Policy developments to support early years practice

Bernie McNally, Assistant Secretary, Department of Children and Youth Affairs

12:00pm

The local experience of early years practice in the ABC Programme

Sharon Byrne, Early Years Mentor, Better Finglas

Kelda Barnes, Manager, Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd., Preparing for Life

Karen Barrett, Key Worker, St Margaret’s Pre-School, youngballymun

12:45pm

Panel discussion

Chair: Toby Wolfe, Policy and Research Officer, Start Strong



Bernie McNally, Assistant Secretary, Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Sharon Byrne, Early Years Mentor, Better Finglas

1:15pm Lunch

2:00pm Breakout sessions

Driving quality and challenging poverty - implications for practice in the ABC Programme

Breakout Session 1

Facilitator: Catherine O'Brien, Childcare and Community Services Manager, Co-operative Housing Ireland (Docklands and East Inner City)

Breakout Session 2

Facilitator: Joanne Murphy, Co-ordinator, Louth Children and Young People’s Services Committee (Louth - The Genesis Programme)

Breakout Session 3

Facilitator: Maria O’ Dwyer, Project Manager, ABC Start Right (Limerick City)

Breakout Session 4

Facilitator: Marie Cuddihy, Development Officer (North Wicklow), Wicklow County Childcare Committee, (Bray - Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Breakout Session 5

Facilitator: Fiona Hassett, Local Childcare Resource Service Co-ordinator, Family Matters (Ballyfermot/Chapelizod)

3:20pm Close and feedback

John Bamber, Project Specialist, Centre for Effective Services

4:00pm Close


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Appendix C: Attendees

Name Job Title Organisation

Adrianna Anene Home Visitor Parent Child Home Programme (PCHP)

Aileen Kelleher Early Years Co-ordinator Limerick City (Start Right)

Aileen O'Donoghue CEO Archways

Aine McNamara Consultant in Public Health Medicine Health Service Executive

Aisling Gillen National Specialist Family Support Tusla Child and Family Agency

Aisling Sheehan Project Specialist Centre for Effective Services

Alice Malone Quality Assurance Co-ordinator The Genesis Programme

Amanda McGann Supervisor Ballymun East Community Centre

Andrew Dineen Doodle Den Facilitator Doddle Den

Andrew Mulkeen Regional Development Co-ordinator Early Years and Young People, Pobal

Angela Kalaitzake Centre Manager Hollyhill / Knocknaheeny Family Centre, Cork

Ann Carrol Project Manager CASPr (Community After Schools Project)

Anne Farrington Autism Therapist Autism Services, Sligo

Anne O’Brien UpTo2 Project Worker Clondalkin (Blue Skies Initiative)

Arlene Forster Director, Curriculum and Assessment National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

Ashley Lawlor Co-ordinator St Ultan’s Nursery

Assumpta O'Neill Development Officer (South and West Wicklow)

Wicklow County Childcare Committee

Audra Hubbard Childminding Development Officer Dublin City Childcare Committee

Bernie Colman Parent Support Co-ordinator Fledglings, Kiltipper

Bernie Kelly Manager Our Lady’s Nursery Ballymun

Bernie Laverty Co-ordinator Family Matters Ballyfermot (Family Matters)

Bernie McNally Assistant Secretary Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Bernie Pentony Early Years Practitioner Early Start St John’s School, Drogheda

Betsy Burdis Manager Finglas Childcare Ltd.

Bronagh McGlade Development Officer Louth County Childcare Committee

Catherine Bond National Service Co-ordinator Better Start, Pobal

Catherine O’Brien Board of Management Páistí @ No.3 Childcare, Cork

Catherine O'Brien Childcare and Community Services Manager

Co-operative Housing Ireland

Cathie Lacey Manager Ballymun East Community Centre

Cathy Steenson Childcare Co-ordinator Little Treasures

Ciaran O'Donnell Graduate Intern Centre for Effective Services

Claire Devery Childcare Manager Ozanam Childcare

Claire Dooley SPECS Early Years Quality Mentor Bray (Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Claire Gleeson Development Officer (Early Years) The Genesis Programme

Claire Hickey Project Specialist Centre for Effective Services

Clare Kelliher Senior SLT Clondalkin (Blue Skies Initiative)

Conor Rowley Principal Officer, Policy Innovation Unit Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Deirdre O’Callaghan Childcare Manager Páistí @ No.3 Childcare, Cork

Deirdre Tobin Early Years Specialist Better Start, Pobal

Dr Dorothy Watson Associate Professor The Economic and Social Research Institute

Dr Josephine Bleach Director of Early Learning Initiative Early Learning Initiative

Duana Quigley Programme Manager youngballymun

Eibhlin Walsh Speech and Language Therapist Limerick City (Start Right)

Eimear Carron Co-ordinator Longford County Childcare Committee

Eimear Collins Business Support Officer Dublin City Childcare Committee

Eleanor McClorey CEO youngballymun

Elizabeth Canavan Assistant Secretary Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Emma Byrne Mac Namee Early Years Manager Darndale (Preparing for Life)

Fiona Hassett Local Childcare Resource Service Co-ordinator

Ballyfermot (Family Matters)

Francis Chance Programme Manager - Nurture Katharine Howard Foundation


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Genevieve Ruiz-O'Sullivan Research Assistant, ABC Evaluation Centre for Effective Services

Gonne Barry Assistant Director Public health Nursing Health Service Executive

Grainne Fagan Quality Support Officer Dublin City Childcare Committee

Gráinne Hartin Project Leader Ronanstown Community Childcare Centre

Hazel O’Byrne Policy Officer youngballymun

Heino Schonfeld Early Years Development Manager Barnardos

Hugh Doogan Programme Manager The Genesis Programme

Jackie Austin Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing Health Service Executive

Jeanne Ryan Support worker Limerick City (Start Right)

Jenna Russell Project Leader Barnardos, Cork

Jenny Eades Beneficiary Support Specialist Early Years and Young People, Pobal

Jessica Barrett Student Early Childhood Education and Care, IT Carlow

Joanne Murphy Co-ordinator Louth Children and Young People's Services Committee

Joanne Roe Early Years Quality Co-ordinator youngballymun

John Bamber Project Specialist Centre for Effective Services

Joyce Morris Room Assistant Padre Pio Early Start, Cork

Judith Brady Principal Officer Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Julie McNamara CEO Kildare County Childcare Committee

June Hamill Centre Manager Before 5 Centre, Cork

Kaite Bartrand Childcare Manager CASPr (Community After Schools Project)

Karen Barrett Key Worker St Margaret's Pre-School

Karen Weafer Project Leader Fledglings City Quay

Kate Hayes Senior Speech and Language Therapist Limerick City (Start Right)

Katherine Harford Manager Young Knocknaheeny

Kelda Barnes Manager Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd.

Kimberley Kendall Project Support Centre for Effective Services

Laura Costelloe Lecturer National College of Ireland

Laura Dagger Early Years Mentor Clondalkin (Blue Skies Initiative)

Laura Fernandez Garcia Manager Stepping Stones Crèche, Drogheda

Laura Smullen Early Years Specialist Better Start, Pobal

Lesley Strahan Manager Lourdes Youth and Community Services

Lisa Kearns Manager Marian Pre-school, Bray

Lisa McMahon Manager Moatview Early Education Centre

Lisa O’Brien Crèche Leader Hollyhill / Knocknaheeny Family Centre, Cork

Liz Cronin Engagement and Support Worker Clondalkin (Blue Skies Initiative)

Lorraine Doherty Project Co-ordinator Clondalkin (Blue Skies Initiative)

Lorraine Kavanagh Social Policy and Public Service Reform Department of the Taoiseach

Louise Mc Guirk Farrell Manager Doras Bui Childcare

Lucy Connolly Early Years Mentor Young Knocknaheeny

Mairéad Conroy Early Years Mentor Early Learning Initiative

Maresa Duignan Early Year Policy Unit Department of Education and Skills

Margaret Cleary Regional Development Co-ordinator Early Years and Young People, Pobal

Marguerite Buckley Room Assistant Padre Pio Early Start, Cork

Maria Hayes Principal Social Worker Tusla, the Child and Family Agency

Maria O'Dwyer Project Manager Limerick City (Start Right)

Marianne Healy Director Public Health Nursing Health Service Executive

Marie Cuddihy Development Officer (North Wicklow) Wicklow County Childcare Committee

Marie Kennedy SPECS Support and Development worker Bray (Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Marion Byrne 0-2 Co-ordinator Early Learning Initiative

Mark Shinnick Principal Holy Child Preschool, Rutland St

Mary Barry Childcare Manager Before 5 Centre, Cork

Mary Dolan Development Officer Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative Ltd (TWCDI)

Mary Reilly Manager Marian Pre-school, Bray

Mary Rose Costello SPECS Co-ordinator Bray (Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Melissa Murtagh Speech and Language Therapist Limerick City (Start Right)

Michèle Relihan Manager Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Childcare Committee

Michelle O'Doherty Manager Childworld Crèche


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Miriam Farrell Assistant Manager Fledglings, St.Mary's, City Quay

Nicola Miller Early Years Educator Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service (Jigsaw)

Noel Kelly Programme Manager Darndale (Preparing for Life)

Noirin Coghlan Manager Poppintree Early Education Centre

Petra Hanlon Administrator Grangegorman (Vision Beyond Poverty)

Professor Nóirín Hayes Visiting Professor Trinity College Dublin

Rachel Ivie Early Years Educator Doras Bui Childcare

Regina Clarke Home School Liaison Officer Early Start St John’s School, Drogheda

Sandra Collins Early Years Specialist Better Start, Pobal

Sandra O'Neill Early Years Mentor Darndale (Preparing for Life)

Sarah Davis Preparing for Life Better Finglas

Sharon Byrne Early Years Mentor Better Finglas

Sharon Doran Manager St John’s Preschool

Síle Hassett Childcare Manager Deansrath Family Centre

Sinead Crowley Team Leader Sligo Social Service Council Ltd

Sinead Elliffe Classroom Teacher Padre Pio Early Start, Cork

Siobhan Duffy Manager Lios na Nóg Crèche, Dundalk

Siobhan Greene Assistant Director Barnardos

Siobhan Keegan National Service Co-ordinator Better Start, Pobal

Stefanie Dawick Doodle Den Facilitator Doodle Den

Stella Owens Project Specialist Centre for Effective Services

Sue Menton Care Manager St Ultan’s

Suzanne Hesnan Crèche Manager Familibase

Teresa Grant Manager Fundayz Community Childcare Centre, Bray

Teresa Heeney CEO Early Childhood Ireland

Toby Wolfe Policy and Research Officer Start Strong

Tracey Beaufong Student Early Childhood Education and Care, IT Carlow

Triona Rooney Speech and Language Therapist Darndale (Preparing for Life)

Úna Caffrey Child Protection & Information Officer Fingal County Childcare Committee

Wendy Hoey Early Years Practitioner Lios na Nóg Crèche, Dundalk

Wendy Walsh Manager St. Margaret's Pre-School

Yuk-kuen Cheung Early Years Educator Moatview Early Education Centre

Yvonne Galvin Manager King’s Island Crèche


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Appendix D: Biographies of Contributors


Dorothy Watson is an Associate Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute. She received a

Bachelor's degree in Social Science from University College Cork; and her MSc and PhD (both in sociology) from the

University of Wisconsin, Madison. She was a Research Fellow of the ESRI from 1983 to 1986. Her areas of interest

are Social Inclusion, Equality, Quality of Life, Values and Belief Systems and Survey Methodology. As well as

managing several large-scale national surveys (including the ECHP in Ireland and SLÁN 2007), she has worked with

international colleagues on a number of projects, including the ESeC consortium to develop and validate a European

measure of social class and the EQUALSOC network. She is joint co-ordinator of the programme of research on Social

Inclusion and Equality. Her current research projects include work on the measurement of poverty in an Irish and

international context, mental health disability, childhood economic vulnerability and welfare regimes and quality of

life in Europe.


Professor Nóirín Hayes is a developmental psychologist. She is Visiting Professor at the School of Education, Trinity

College Dublin and maintains her affiliation to the Dublin Institute of Technology, through the Centre for Social and

Educational Research. Her specialist field is child development and learning, with particular interest in early

childhood development, educational wellbeing, pedagogy, and children's rights. She has an active research portfolio

working with postgraduate students and researchers and is convener of the Researching Early Childhood Education

Collaborative [www.ealignment.ie]. She is the author of a number of books, reports and research articles on practice

and policy and her most recent book is Early Years Practice: Getting It Right from the Start (Gill and Macmillan,

2013). She has served on a number of government working groups, commissions and advisory groups including the

National Early Years Strategy Expert Advisory Group. Professor Hayes is a founder member of the Children’s Rights

Alliance, a past member of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and a board member Start Strong

and. She is a patron and past Chair of OMEP (World Organisation for Early Education) Ireland.

Ms Bernie McNally, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Bernie McNally joined the Dept of Children and Youth Affairs in April 2015 as Assistant Secretary General. She has

lead responsibility for Early Years Care and Education, Youth Affairs, and Research and Participation. Prior to this she

was Director General of the Office of the Ombudsman (incorporating the Office of the Information Commissioner

and the Secretariat to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) and the Commission for Public Service

Appointments). In her earlier career, Bernie worked as an Occupational Therapist in Ireland, the UK and the USA and

was later a Director of Therapy and Social Work services in St. James's Hospital, Dublin. Bernie was employed as an

Advisor on Therapy services in the Department of Health and Children from 2004 to 2008. She gained her BSc and

MSc from Trinity College Dublin and completed a graduate Leadership Program with the University of Limerick and

the Office for Health Management.

Ms Sharon Byrne, Early Years Mentor, Better Finglas

Sharon Byrne is an early years mentor with the Better Finglas ABC Programme. For almost 20 years Sharon managed

early years’ settings in the community sector and is also an experienced High Scope practitioner. She is a qualified

trainer and has delivered early years and parenting training. Sharon holds a degree in Early Childhood Care and

Education and is currently completing a Masters in Child, Family and Community Studies.


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Ms Kelda Barnes, Manager, Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd., Preparing for Life

Kelda Barnes has been the manager of Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service since March 2002. Kelda’s

background is in the disability, childcare and community sectors, where she has worked for numerous organisations

in the US and here in Ireland. Previously she has held positions in the Daughters of Charity, St. Michael’s House and

with private childcare providers. Kelda holds a degree in Social Science and a post-graduate diploma in Nursery

Management, both from University College Dublin.

Ms Karen Barrett, Key Worker, St Margaret’s Pre-School, youngballymun

Karen Barrett works as an Early Years Educator in St. Margaret’s Traveller Pre-School in Ballymun. She has been

working in the Early Years sector for the past eight years and her experience is largely in community based childcare

settings. Karen is a proud Mother of two young children. She has completed her FETAC Level 5 & Level 6 Childcare

training. Karen has worked in her current position since 2011 and has been receiving mentoring, training and

coaching supports from youngballymun since then. Through engagement with the Learning Years programme Karen

has completed a range of training including Pre-School High Scope, Health and Safety, HANEN, Child Protection,

Primary Food Hygiene, Aistear and has just begun training in the High Scope Infant & Toddler curriculum. Karen is

very proud of being part of the St. Margaret’s team who successfully completed the formal Síolta Quality Assurance

Process (QAP) in 2015 and the Pre-School has been validated as providing ‘extensive evidence of quality’.

Mr Toby Wolfe, Policy and Research Officer, Start Strong

Toby Wolfe is the Policy and Research Officer at Start Strong, a national advocacy organisation campaigning for

children’s early care and education. He was a member of the Expert Advisory Group on Ireland’s National Early Years

Strategy and also the Co-Chair of Eurochild’s thematic working group on early years education. Prior to joining Start

Strong in 2009, he worked at Pobal. His background is in economics and social policy analysis.

Breakout Session Facilitators

Catherine O’Brien, Childcare and Community Services Manager, Co-operative Housing Ireland (Docklands

and East Inner City Dublin)

Joanne Murphy, Co-ordinator, Louth Children and Young People’s Service Committee (Louth – The Genesis

Programme)

Maria O’Dwyer, Project Manager, ABC Start Right (Limerick City)

Marie Cuddihy, Development Officer for North Wicklow, Wicklow County Childcare Committee, (Bray –

Supporting Parents and Early Childhood Services)

Fiona Hassett, Local Childcare Resource Service Co-ordinator, Family Matters (Ballyfermot/Chapelizod)


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Appendix E: Early Years Supports Across the ABC Programme Areas

Project Name Geographical

Area Programme Contact Details

Better Finglas 01-864-2941 www.betterfinglas.org

Finglas, Dublin

Onsite mentoring in early years settings using the Aistear Siolta Practice Guide

High Scope curriculum training

Transitions from preschool to primary school programme

The facilitation of referral pathways for children attending early years settings

Sharon Byrne Early Years Mentor [email protected] 086-466-5112

Blue Skies Initiative 01-456-8734 www.blueskiesinitiative.ie

Clondalkin, Dublin

Professional development for early years practitioners to use Aistear/Síolta Self-Audit Tools

ECERS Assessments, feedback and action planning

HighScope Curriculum Training

Training and mentoring for practitioners in Incredible Years Dina Classroom and Small Group programme

Incredible Years Basic Parenting Facilitator Training

Parental support in Early Years services

Early Years Transitions programme

On Site Mentoring and Coaching

Speech and Language Therapy Model

Universal oral language supports

Laura Dagger Early Years Mentor [email protected] 087-962-5774

CDI Tallaght 01-494-0030 www.twcdi.ie

Tallaght, Dublin Parental support in Early Years services

Speech and Language Therapy Model

Mary Dolan [email protected] 01-494-0030

Michelle Quinn [email protected] 085-801-5069

Early Learning Initiative In NCI 1850-221-721 www.ncirl.ie/ELI

Dublin Docklands

ABC 0-2 Years Programme Marion Byrne [email protected]

Supporting quality improvement in early years settings through the implementation of Aistear and Síolta.

Early Years Numeracy Programme

Mairead Conroy Early Years Coordinator [email protected]

Parent Child Home Programme Beth Fagan [email protected]

Doodle Den

Zoom Ahead with Books

Restorative Practice

Emma Wheatley [email protected]

Family Matters Ballyfermot and Chaplelizod Partnership 01-623-8088

Ballyfermot, Dublin

Oral Language Programmes to Early Years and Primary Schools

1:1 Speech and Language Intervention – Targeted

Chatter Matters Programme

Upskilling, Coaching and Mentoring Early Years Practitioners and Primary Schools in Oral Language Strategies

Elklan Training

Roisin Cotter Senior SLT [email protected]

Caitriona O’Mahony Senior SLT [email protected]

ABC Grangegorman 01-402-7628 www.dit.ie

Grangegorman (DIT), Dublin 7

Incredible Years Small Group Dina Programme in ECCE settings

Professional development for early years practitioners to use Aistear/Siolta self-audit tools

Professional development for early years practitioners

Petra Hanlon Administrator [email protected] 01-402-7628

Preparing for Life 01-877-1509 www.preparingforlife.ie

Dublin 5 and 17

Strengthening Foundations of Learning

Training and on-site mentoring for early years practitioners, to enhance the quality of early learning experiences and improve outcomes for children

Language development using Hanen’s Learning Language and Loving It, linked with Aistear

Oral language programme, linked with Aistear

Accredited leadership training for managers and senior practitioners

Curriculum support and development using Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework

Transition to school programme

Sandra O’Neill Early Years Quality Mentor [email protected]

Triona Rooney Speech and Language Therapist [email protected]

Emma Byrne Mac Namee Early Years Programme Manager [email protected]

http://www.betterfinglas.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.blueskiesinitiative.ie/


http://www.twcdi.ie/



http://www.ncirl.ie/ELI







http://www.dit.ie/


http://www.preparingforlife.ie/





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Project Name Geographical

Area Programme Contact Details

SPECS (Bray) www.specsbray.com 01-211-6481

Bray, Co. Wicklow

Early Years Quality Mentoring programme

Training using the Aistear Síolta Practice guide

Transition from preschool to school programme

Claire Dooley Early Years Mentor [email protected]

ABC Start Right www.paulpartnership.ie

Limerick

Incredible Years Classroom Dina Programme in Preschools

Quality Early Years

Transition programme

Aileen Kelleher Early Years Coordinator [email protected] 087-439-0800

Little Voices Oral Language Programme

Kate Hayes Oral Language Coordinator ABC Start Right [email protected] 087-439-0802

Community Wraparound

Marie Boyle & Brenda Mellett Community Wraparound Co-ordinators [email protected] [email protected] 087-439-0804

The Genesis Programme 041-984-3333 www.genesislouth.ie

Louth (Drogheda & Dundalk)

Incredible Years Training for Classroom Dina Programme in Early Years settings

Incredible Beginnings training programme for Early Years professionals

Professional development for early years practitioners to use Aistear/Síolta Self-Audit Tools alongside the Incredible Beginnings programme

Onsite support to Incredible Years Group Leaders

Peer coach support to Incredible Years group leaders to ensure programme fidelity

Development of resources linking the Incredible Years programmes to the Aistear/Siolta Frameworks

Claire Gleeson Development Officer (Early Years Programmes) [email protected] 083-152-9792

Youngballymun 01-883-2176 www.youngballymun.org

Ballymun, Dublin

Learning Years Support Service providing Integrated and tailored training; coaching; mentoring and quality development service for early years centres to support implementation of National Quality and Curriculum frameworks Síolta and Aistear and implementation of High Scope Infant/Toddler and Pre-School Curriculum

Joanne Roe Early Years Quality co-ordinator [email protected] 087-657-6641

Young Knocknaheeny www.youngknocknaheeny.ie

Knocknaheeny, Hollyhill, Gurranabraher, Churchfield, Cork

A Community of Early Years settings driving an ongoing evidence informed quality improvement strategy

Beginning and ending with ECERS and ITERS

Pre and Post Preschool year Santa Barbara School Readiness scale

Highscope curriculum training

On Site specialist mentoring

Aistear Implementation Framework

Enhancement of Oral Language skills and language rich environments

Environmental enhancement equipment

Transition supports in and out of settings for children and parents

Promotion of Early Years Increased Parental Engagement

Centre Co-ordinators peer Group

Young Knocknaheeny Early Years Implementation Group

Professional supervision to mentor

Co-ordination with other key Young Knocknaheeny strands

Katherine Harford Programme Manager Young Knocknaheeny

Jenna Russell Early Years Centres Co-ordinator Young Knocknaheeny

Lucy Connelly Early Years Mentor [email protected]

http://www.specsbray.com/


http://www.paulpartnership.ie/





http://www.genesislouth.ie/


http://www.youngballymun.org/


http://www.youngknocknaheeny.ie/


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