Health and Welfare

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Health and Welfare
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Workshop Format

• Introduction to the Centre for Early Childhood
  Development Education (CECDE)
• Overview of Síolta
• Workshop Demonstration
• Introduction to group work
• Small group discussion
• Feedback
• Supporting research
• What Síolta can do
• Resources
• Conclusion

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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

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What is Síolta?

• 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 childrens lives

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Defining Quality

• Principles
• Standards
• Components
• Signposts for Reflection
• Think-abouts

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Standard 9 Health and Welfare

• Promoting the health and welfare of the child
• requires protection from harm, provision of
• nutritious food, appropriate opportunities for
• rest, and secure relationships characterised
• by trust and respect.

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Sample Discussion Points

• I deal effectively and efficiently with any
  medical situations that arise
• I contribute to the promotion of good health in
  my setting
• I engage effectively with child protection
  guidelines
• I support the development of healthy eating in my
  setting
• I safeguard childrens need for privacy, rest and
  quiet time

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Groupwork

• Your group number is at the top of your page
• Instructions
• Feedback sheet (one per group)
• 20/25 minute discussion
• 3 point action plan
• Next Monday morning
• Dare to be different but practical!
• Mediate for different age groups in your setting

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Supporting Research

• Broad elements of preventative healthcare and
  health promotion include
• Active reviews of childrens developmental
  progress
• Ensuring childrens mental health is supported
  through information, education and activities
• Parenting guidance on the importance and
  modelling of physical activity, healthy sleep
  patterns and infant positioning
• Screening and early detection of hearing and
  vision impairment and immunisations (DHC, 1999a)
• The encouragement of healthy communities who
  value and understand the influence which early
  preventative health measures can have on
  childrens well-being.
• (CECDE, 2007)

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Supporting Research (2)

• Legislation in relation to child protection
• Children First National Guidelines for the
  Protection and Welfare of Children (1999)
• Our Duty to Care The Principles and Good
  Practice for the Protection of Children and Young
  People (2002)

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What Síolta can do

• Promote quality childcare
• Defines what quality is
• Unifying Framework for all quality initiatives
• Tool for practical activities

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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

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Síolta Current Resources

• Website
• All materials
• Supporting research documentation
• Resource information (e.g. web links, contact
  details)
• Feedback opportunity

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Síolta Current Resources (2)

• Workshops and presentations
• Research Digests
• Síolta A Guide for Parents
• Audit of Research in ECCE in Ireland database
• Library resources
• Newsletters
• E-mail Early.Childhood_at_spd.dcu.ie

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Go raibh míle maith agaibh

www.siolta.ie
www.cecde.ie