1. Children’s early care and education – Why it matters.

2. Children’s early years - an economic priority?

3. Typical public expenditure

4. Cost Benefits

5. Educational Outcomes

6. Employability and competitiveness NESC (2009): Early care and education should be a policy priority in the recession as it is “a good long-term investment for the state and a sound basis for the move towards a knowledge-based economy”.

7. The higher the quality, the greater the benefits

8. Some policy issues – Ireland is at the bottom of a UNICEF international league table. Despite the importance of quality: –(Minimal) qualification requirements are only in place for those working within the free pre-school year –Public funding is not linked to compliance with inspections –Quality frameworks have not been rolled-out Pre-school inspection reports are not published After-school care is not regulated Most childminders are not required to register/notify and are not included in the draft Children First Legislation Services don’t ‘join-up’ Ireland has the highest childcare costs within the OECD.

9. What can be done now? Support families: –Public Health Nurses link with families, supports to parents and services –EU Directive on Parental Leave High quality: –Link public funding and minimum quality standards –Extend minimum qualification requirements to all settings (not just the Free Pre-School Year) –Move towards introduction of a 2 nd Free Pre-School Year Child Protection: –Ensure registration of all services including childminders –Roll-out child protection training to all services Transparency: –Publish inspection reports

10. Where to then?

11. Start Strong Contact Us: info@startstrong.ie 01 6624018 Basement, 33 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2. www.startstrong.ie