Síolta Framework Fiona Kelleher Síolta Coordinator Quality Engagement Initiative (Síolta Rollout)...

Síolta Framework

Fiona Kelleher

Síolta Coordinator

Quality Engagement Initiative (Síolta Rollout) for County Roscommon

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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



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



CECDE.

Síolta

• Síolta is the Irish word for Seeds



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



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.



CECDE.

Síolta is Made up of

• Principles - 12

• Standards (16) - Chart

• Components (75) –

• Signposts for Reflection

• ‘Think-abouts’



CECDE.

National Quality Framework

Thinking about Interactions

Síolta

Principles

Standard Standard Standard

ComponentComponentComponent ComponentComponent

Signposts for Reflection






CECDE.

What Síolta can do• Promote quality childcare

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



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



CECDE.

Síolta is not...

• A new curriculum• An inspection system• A checklist

It is • designed to support staff

& recognise good practice



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.



CECDE.

Standard 1: Rights of the ChildEnsuring 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.



CECDE.



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.



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.



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



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.



CECDE.

Supports for Level 2

• Mentor support by phone

• Attend Cluster group meetings & network with other groups.

• Attend Peer Mentor Support meetings



CECDE.

Participation Levels

Level 1 – Full Participation –

Leading to Validation ofAll 16 Standards

Level 2 – Part-Participation

Working on a limited number of standards



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



CECDE.

How Will You Be Supported

• You Will be Supported by

• The Síolta Coordinator

• Roscommon County Childcare Committee



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).



CECDE.

Process of Síolta

• Síolta is divided into stages

• Expression of Interest• Registration• Baseline assessment,

Action Plans & Evidence Collection.

• Validation



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.



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.



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



CECDE.

Baseline Assessment• The Whole Centre completes a baseline

assessment (not individual)o Familiarity with standards/componentsoReflecting on Practiceo Provide a starting point for action plans

• Action plansoReview what each room has written- opinions,

examples & ideaso Pick out good practice/ areas need to focus onoDeveloping Action Plans



CECDE.

Supported in the Process

• You will be supported in the Process by your Síolta Coordinator

and RCCC Coordinator & Development Worker

• Fiona Kelleher 087 9967071

• Irene Cafferky 094 9622540



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)



CECDE.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh

www.siolta.iewww.cecde.ie



CECDE.

http://www.siolta.ie/

http://www.cecde.ie/

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Síolta Framework Fiona Kelleher Síolta Coordinator Quality Engagement Initiative (Síolta Rollout)...

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