Childcare Conference: Free pre-school scheme is here to stay
The Early
Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Free Pre-school Scheme is now a part of the
mainstream government funding and parents can be assured that their children
will have access to a free year of pre-school just as they take for granted
that their children have access to free primary and secondary school
education.This was the core message
from Sylda Langford, Director General, The Office of the Minister for Children
and Youth Affairs speaking at Galway City & County Childcare Committee’s 7th
Annual Childcare conference last Saturday in the Salthill Hotel.
Children
born between the 2nd of February 2005 and 30th of June
2006 are eligible for a free pre-school place in January 2010 and children born
between the 2nd of February 2006 and the 30th of June
2007 can avail of their free pre-school place in September 2010.
The theme of the
conference was “Nurturing Bright, Balanced Children
in Modern Times .While delivering an interactive and informative talk
Sue Palmer argued that “Love does not equal indulgence".Sue Palmer, one of the
UK’s leading
child development experts was a special guest speaker at this weekend’s
childcare conference hosted by Galway City & County Childcare
Committee.Sue’s presentation: "Raising bright, balanced children in the
modern world" centred on the importance of play, sleep and the appropriate roles
of TV, computers and mobile phones in children’s lives.This linked in naturally with Dr. John
Sharry’s presentation as he stressed that the mantra“Pause, Think and Plan” could be a foundation
to positive discipline.
A
list of services participating in the ECCE scheme is available from Galway City
& County Childcare Committee – phone 091 752039 or email mail@galwaychildcare.com if you’d
like a list or if you have any questions about the ECCE Scheme.
