Síolta Framework Fiona Kelleher Síolta Coordinator Quality Engagement Initiative (Síolta Rollout) for County Roscommon ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Why Are You Here Tonight To hear about Síolta To find out how you can become involved What Síolta can do for you How you can be supported in the Process ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

The CECDE: Established by Department of Education and Science in 2002 To coordinate and develop early childhood education services Development of Síolta Research Policy advice to Minister for Education and Science and Office of the Minister for Children ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Síolta is the Irish word for Seeds ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

What is Síolta? Síolta is a voluntary quality assurance programme that has been developed by the CECDE, (now known as the Early Years Education Policy Unit of the DES) in consultation with the wider early childhood care and education sector in Ireland. Quality Assurance Scheme Children from birth – 6 years Reflects and recognises Irish practice Defining, Supporting and Assessing Mediated for ages/settings Developmental tool Makes a difference in children’s lives ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Síolta is designed to assist all those concerned with the provision of quality early education in Ireland to participate in a developmental journey towards the improvement and enrichment of young children’s early life experiences. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta is Made up of Principles - 12 Standards (16) - Chart Components (75) – Signposts for Reflection ‘Think-abouts’ ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

National Quality Framework ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

What Síolta can do Promote quality childcare Defines what quality is Unifying Framework for all quality initiatives Tool for practical activities ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

What Síolta can do (2) Promote the status of the early years sector Raises awareness of the critical importance of quality early childhood provision Highlights the valuable role of the early years practitioner Informs the development of education and training courses Enhances our status internationally ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta is not... A new curriculum An inspection system A checklist It is designed to support staff & recognise good practice ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Elements of Síolta User Manuals Covering – Full & Part-Time Day Care. Sessional Services Infant Classes Childminders. –Research Digests, Síolta poster & CD Rom. Principles – these 12 principles and their explanatory notes are the ultimate benchmarks for all quality practice. Standards – 16 national standards cover areas of practice to be addressed. Components – are the quality indicators for practitioners to implement Síolta. Signposts for Reflection – act as self-reflection guidelines, for practitioners to think about current practice and identify elements that are positive as well as needing attention. Accompanied by – ‘think abouts’ – which act as prompts to reflect. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Standard 1: Rights of the Child Ensuring that each child's rights are met requires that she/he is enabled to exercise choice and to use initiative as an active participant and partner in her/his own development and learning. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

How You Can Become Involved One of Two different levels of Involvement (1) Full Participation – covering all 16 standards, leading to validation. (2) Part-Participation – work on a number of standards. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Level 1 Full participation in the Síolta Programme leading to the Validation Process. Involves a High Level of commitment to the process. Investment of time – approx 4 hours per week. Involves all staff. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Level 1 - Supports Mentor support 4 hours per month. Assistance in completing the Base Line Assessment – Support in completing the whole process. Attend Cluster group training sessions and network with other services. Attend Peer Mentor Support meetings ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Level 2 Part-Participation Service works on a limited number of standards – as decided by the service. Services need to commit to 4 hours on a bi monthly basis to the process. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Supports for Level 2 Mentor support by phone Attend Cluster group meetings & network with other groups. Attend Peer Mentor Support meetings ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Participation Levels Level 1 – Full Participation – Leading to Validation of All 16 Standards Level 2 – Part-Participation Working on a limited number of standards ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

What Does it Mean for The Service Opportunity to implement Síolta into your setting. In line with the requirements of the ECCE Scheme for childcare providers. You will have a framework to enhance the quality of your service. You will be guided and supported in the process. You will gain recognition for your service by submitting your portfolios for assessment. Enhance the quality of service provided to children. Opportunity for developing teamwork within your service Common purpose and goals ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

How Will You Be Supported You Will be Supported by The Síolta Coordinator Roscommon County Childcare Committee ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Coordinator’s role Síolta coordinator provides support and guidance during the entire process, facilitating skills such as; reflecting on your practice, gathering evidence, and completing the self assessment. Guide to further resources Links with training organisations (if required). ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Process of Síolta Síolta is divided into stages Expression of Interest Registration Baseline assessment, Action Plans & Evidence Collection. Validation ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Process Baseline Assessment, Action Plans & Evidence Collection – Involves going through each standard and finding out where you are at in terms of meeting the standard. Using the components, think abouts and reflections. Documenting your findings & evidence to support these. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Process Developing your Action Plans – based on reflecting on your practice. The Action Plans will be based on what you need to implement in your service in order to reach the Síolta Standard. ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Síolta Process Continued… Once the baseline assessment and action plans are in place and you have all your evidence to support your practice. Submit your portfolio for validation - Validation –Recognition –Renewing the Award ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Baseline Assessment The Whole Centre completes a baseline assessment (not individual) o Familiarity with standards/components o Reflecting on Practice o Provide a starting point for action plans Action plans o Review what each room has written- opinions, examples & ideas o Pick out good practice/ areas need to focus on o Developing Action Plans ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Supported in the Process You will be supported in the Process by your Síolta Coordinator and RCCC Coordinator & Development Worker Fiona Kelleher Irene Cafferky ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

“Quality early childhood practice is built upon the unique role of the adult. The competencies, qualifications, dispositions and experience of adults, in addition to their capacity to reflect upon their role, are essential in supporting and ensuring quality experiences for each child” (CECDE, 2006) ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh ©This presentation is copyright. For information purposes only. The duplication or misuse of this presentation is strictly prohibited by CECDE.