A draft national quality framework for early childhood education has been launched by Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan.
Devised and published by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE), it is entitled Siolta and aimed at promoting quality in early childhood education for children up to six years.
Mr Lenihan said yesterday that it represented "a significant step towards realising the policy commitments made in the Government's White Paper on early childhood education".
Issues addressed include the needs of the child, parental involvement, curriculum, professional practice and the importance of play. The draft framework has been developed using extensive national and international research into the essential elements of quality early education experiences for children.
It will be tested and evaluated in a range of practice settings to ensure the materials can support the delivery of quality services.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael social and family affairs spokesman David Stanton claimed yesterday that the Government was needlessly spending taxpayers' money on payment arrangements for the early childcare supplement.