PRESS RELEASE

PlayBoard event celebrates 20 years of Children’s Rights

On Thursday 17th November 2011 PlayBoard, the lead agency for play in Northern Ireland, hosted an event exploring children’s right to play in Northern Ireland.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) establishes the basic human rights to which every child is entitled. Ratified by the UK Government in 1991, the convention places a duty on government to ensure that all children and young people in the UK have access to the rights enshrined within it.

Article 31 of the convention focuses on the child’s right to rest; to leisure; to play; to recreational activities and the right to participate in cultural and artistic life. The UNCRC recognises the importance of children having access to appropriate things to do, places to go and also having adequate time and energy to take up such opportunities.

Speaking about the event, Jacqueline O’Loughlin, PlayBoard Chief Executive said “This year the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has agreed to produce a General Comment on Article 31. This will not only draw the attention of government to the importance of the rights enshrined within the article, but will also provide State Parties with specific recommendations on the implementation of these rights.”

Jacqueline continued, “This event will provide us with a valuable opportunity to include the Northern Ireland perspective in this exciting development.”

Dr Roisin McCooey, Senior Research and Policy Officer with PlayBoard added “In many ways the UNCRC provides us with a means of assessing the degree to which we as a society are fulfilling our aspirations for children. As this year represents the 20th Anniversary of it’s ratification it seems timely to explore and discuss issues relating to play and the right to play in Northern Ireland.”

In addition to input from PlayBoard, the event included contributions from a range of individuals including the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney; Professor Laura Lundy from Queens University; Virginia McVea Director of the Human Rights Commission and Theresa Casey, President of the International Play Association.

Notes To Editors:

About PlayBoard (www.playboard.org ):
PlayBoard is the leading agency for the development and promotion of children and young people’s play in Northern Ireland. To this end, the organisation provides a range of innovative services designed to strengthen service delivery through advice, support, training and tailored provision

PlayBoard’s work is concentrated and prioritised within a framework of ‘equity, diversity and interdependence’ (EDI), and is consistent with the ethos of human rights, social justice and social inclusion.

CHILDREN FIRST
NATIONALGUIDANCE FOR THE PROTECTION AND
WELFARE OF CHILDREN 2011

Barnardos has prepared this briefing note for
the early childhood care and education sector to highlight the key changes that
are contained in Children First 2011 as relevant to the early years sector.

This document is not a comprehensive guide to Children First 2011
but rather highlights the main changes relevant to the early years sector contained in Children First 2011, as compared to the document published in 1999.

Overall, Children First 2011 is much clearer and more concise than the previous guidelines.

Legislation

In the Foreword, Minister Fitzgerald states: “We intend to enact legislation so that all people who are working with children will have a statutory duty to comply with the Children First: National Guidance.”

Note as of now Children First is not yet on a statutory basis, pending the publication and enactment of new legislation.

The need for all those working with children to be vetted, the role of the Garda Vetting Unit and the intention to put this on a statutory basis is also included.

Note the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter TD published the National Vetting Bureau Bill 2011 on July 27th 2011.

Definitions of Child Abuse

The list of what constitutes physical abuse of a child has been expanded to include slapping, observing violence and “allowing or creating a substantial risk of significant harm to a child.”

There is express reference to and acknowledgement of the harm caused to children by exposure to domestic violence, which is included in the definition of emotional abuse. Exposure to inappropriate or abusive material through new technology is also included for the first time.

There have been two additions to the signs and symptoms of neglect as follows:
- inattention to basic hygiene and
- failure to provide adequate care for the child’s developmental problems

Responsibilities of Organisations

Consistent with the principles of Children First, every organisation, both public and private, that is providing services for children or that is in regular direct contact with children should:

(i) ensure best practice in the recruitment of staff or volunteers, which includes Garda vetting, taking up of references, good HR practices in interviewing, induction training, probation and ongoing supervision and management;
(ii) ensure that staff members or volunteers are aware of how to recognise signs of child abuse or neglect.

Chapter 5 covers the procedures for assessment and management of child protection and welfare concerns and has a much clearer structure of guidance for HSE professionals.

Chapter 10 covers training and there is a new section recommending interagency training on child protection and welfare.

Useful Resources

Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2011) Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare for Children is available to download from
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=1589

Note hard copies are currently unavailable from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. They will become available in September 2011.

Barnardos (2011) Protecting Children: A Child Protection Guide for Early Years and School Age Childcare Services is based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare for Children.

As you are aware NCNA and IPPA are amalgamting to form Early Childhood Ireland in September. We are having a sale of all our resources and publications at a reduced cost.

The following list of resources and publication are available:

9 Steps to choosing a nursery €100 per box (250 per box) - A parents guide to choosing quality childcare for their child

Daily Record Books - €12 (10 per pack). This record book allows staff to complete sections about the activities of each child throughout their day in the childcare centres which is essential for feedback to parents & guardians.

Medication Sheets - €3 (12 per pack)

Minimum Quality Standards €5

Staff Record Book €5

Quality Matters €15 (limited stock available)

Guilding Practitioners through Observations, Planning and Reflection €15 (more commonly known as the Observations book). The aim of this book is to support staff in developing a way of working that is child centred, built on each child’s needs, interests and abilities, one where children’s play is observed frequently and these observations used to formulate plans for future activities and to record the development of the children.

The Green Light - Practical, Exciting and Energy Saving Projects for Young Children and Early Years Services €17. This publication has 3 sections: Green projects that children and services have carried out with step by step guidelines. Section 2 details the Green School Flag process and green activities. In Section 4 SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland) look at energy usage in the centre and give advice, guidelines and information on how to reduce energy costs etc.

NCNA Office is located in Bluebell in Dublin 12 and we are suggesting that collections or deliveries can be arranged. The contact person is Kelly Whitham and she can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (01) 4601138 extension 3. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact Kelly.

The FCCC is delighted to announce the 2011 round of funding for Parent and Toddler Groups. Grants will range from €100 - €600, criteria for assessment is available from the FCCC Office along with application forms. Closing date for receipt of application is Friday 23rd September 2011. If you require further information please contact Mairead @ 01-8077663.

Press Release, 13th April 2011

Top Awards for Four Childcare Services in Fingal

Four childcare services from Fingal picked up top awards for innovation from Irish Preschool Play (IPPA) and the National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) at a big awards ceremony for the childcare sector in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Saturday 9th April, 2011. They are:

• Little Moo-Moo’s Playschool (Skephubble Farm, St. Margaret’s)
Award: Innovation in Outdoor Provision
• Little Green Finger’s – Childminding Service (Malahide)
Award: Innovation in Home Based Care
• Creative Days (Swords)
Award: Innovation in Pre-School Practice
• Little Friends Playgroup (Swords)
Award: Innovation in Creativity

These newly announced Early Childhood Ireland Innovation Awards shine a light on the commitment, innovation and dedication of those in the early childhood sector, communicating aspects of best practice and helping to raise the profile of the sector. Early childhood services have undergone a transformation over the past couple of years, with many of the changes still underway. We have seen the launch of the Free Pre-School Year, and the associated requirement for training and qualifications, as well as the AĂ­stear and SĂ­olta frameworks. Despite, or maybe because of all this, fantastic work is going on in the sector which, all too often, is not recognised and rewarded. These new IPPA/NCNA Early Childhood Ireland Innovation Awards aim to begin to address this.

According to Grainne McKenna from Fingal County Childcare Committee, “It is wonderful to see childcare practitioners from Fingal being recognised and awarded for all their hard work and innovation. We are incredibly fortunate to have over 400 committed and enthusiastic practitioners across the County who are dedicated to high quality childcare and education for children and their families”

Fingal County Childcare Committee (FCCC) was established in 2001 as one of 33 County/City Childcare Committees operating across Ireland to assist with the implementation of the National Childcare Strategy and National Children’s Strategy. Our mission is to nurture the development of quality childcare for all in Fingal. As such, a critical role is to act in an advisory capacity to coordinate, support and assist childcare practitioners and families in Fingal County. Our team provides a comprehensive service that meets needs identified by our key stakeholders and aligns with local and National initiatives. We aim to ensure access to a choice of affordable, quality childcare that is responsive to the needs of the child and family within their local community.

NOTES ON AWARDS

1. Innovation in Outdoor Provision
Little Moo Moos Playschool
Skephubble Farm,
St Margaret’s, Co. Dublin
Catherine Dwyer

Little Moo Moos is set on a working farm. A huge amount of time has been invested by the owners to incorporate different aspects of farm life into the learning experiences of children. Little Moo Moos offers a play based emergent and Montessori curriculum, underpinned by Aístear and are presently engaged in the formal Síolta Quality programme. Children play outdoors daily, feed the animals, experience farm life and often see calves being born. Children play in the hay barn, plant fruit, vegetables and flowers with Farmer Rory. When the crop is ready to harvest, children take home fruit and vegetables and help to make soup. Jams and tarts in the playschool. Staff in Little Moo Moos value working in such a unique environment. They nurture each child’s individual need to grow and blossom, including particular support for children and families with additional needs, just like the flowers in their secret garden.

2. Innovation in Home Based Care
Little Green Fingers Childminding
Outdoor Childminding Service
7 Old Street, Malahide, Co. Dublin
Caitriona Walsh

Little Green Fingers is Ireland’s first outdoor childminding service. Based in Malahide, Co. Dublin the children spend 90% of their time outdoors, dressed in their special all weather gear and wellies. Little Green Fingers provides home based care for three children at any one time. The outdoor curriculum includes gardening, feeding the fish, planting and watering the plants, mud play, picnics, science, ecology using the digital microscope and language and literacy. Little Green Fingers has its own green pedal power which is a Dutch designed bicycle where the children sit at the front of the bike wearing helmets. Trips on the bike include the local beach, woodlands, the library, post office, fire station. Little Green Fingers Childminding received a Childminding Development Grant from the FCCC.

3. Innovation in Pre-School Practice
Creative Days Pre-School
Blanford 26a, Basking Cottages, Baskin Lane
Kinsealy
Swords, Co. Dublin
Thamzen Byrne

Creative Days Pre-School provides a pre-school care facility for 20 children. The project ‘The hairdressers’ in the pretend salon “Kids Cuts and Adults 1” exhibits all of the values of the pre-school from consultation with children to engagement with the family and community. A hairdresser (parent) visited the pre-school and the children voted to transform the fire station into a hairdressers and voted to name the salon Kids Cut and Adults 1. They decided to invite adults to get their hair done there and make a price list, invitations and appointment cards. Mammies and children had their hair transformed!! The entire process was recorded on video and edited into a 19 minute film and family and friends were invited to the premier showing of “The Hairdressers”. Beautiful invitations and tickets were made by the children as well as to-do list and a set of questions for guests at the Premier. All of the work was recorded on video and documented through children’s art and by staff.

4. Innovation in Creativity
Little Friends Playgroup
23 Swords Manor Way
Swords
Co Dublin
Joan McCormak

Little Friends Playgroup in Swords have displayed innovation in creative practice, in their creative projects with the children attending the service. Through consultation and careful listening, project topics follow the lead of the children. This service fosters creativity in children by seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary everyday activities. Projects on, “What I would like to be when I group up”, “Changing environments”, the animal project, the ice cream project, valentine’s project and the baking project bring together play and learning. Each of these projects is beautifully documented give visibility to children’s learning and creativity, not only to children themselves, but also to childcare staff, parents and the wider community. Children are encouraged to reflect, discuss, experiment, document through graphic art, photographs, share, consider, make decisions and enjoy creativity in its many forms, supported by staff who link all practice to the four themes of Aistear.