Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today welcomed stakeholders from across Ireland to the Shaping the Future National Forum on Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.
The Forum is the final stage of a nationwide consultation process under the National
Conversation on Education and will inform Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan and the successor strategy to First 5.The consultation has seen significant public engagement to date, including:
- 11,725 responses to a national online survey.
- A nationally representative telephone poll of 600 parents with children under 15 years old.
- 55 local consultation events in every county, plus an Irish-language online session.
- Children's Creative Spaces, featuring artwork from 80 services across 18 counties.
Today's event brings together parents, educators, school-age childcare practitioners, providers, representative organisations, public interest groups, and members of the Minister’s Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum, to discuss the consultation findings and priorities for the future of the sector.
Opening the Forum, Minister Foley said:
"I am delighted by the strong level of engagement in this consultation process. More than 11,000 people have shared their views online, while hundreds took part in the 55 local consultation events, which took place in every county in the country.
It is interesting to note that the preliminary findings from the national survey show that the top three issues identified by parents were access to places, affordability and having a secure and sustainable early learning and childcare workforce.
These challenges closely mirror the key priorities set out in phase one of our Shaping the Future action plan for early years.
Today is an important opportunity to consider how these insights can shape the future of early learning and care and school-age childcare. I am committed to ensuring services are affordable, accessible and of the highest quality, and this work will help guide future policy and investment."
The Minister also welcomed the children of Bridget’s Montessori from County Meath, who were invited into the Department today in recognition of their contribution to Children's Creative Spaces. During their visit, they took part in an art workshop led by award winning artist and designer Caoimhe O’Dwyer.
Minister Foley added:
"We must always listen to the children, who are at the heart of all early learning and care and school-age childcare services. I encourage all stakeholders to keep the voice of the child at the centre of our discussions and decision-making on future policy."
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