Early Years Provision for Children from Birth to Six
Years with Special Needs in Two Geographical
Areas in Ireland
Rationale
The key questions addressed in this study concerned the nature of the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) provision available in Ireland to children aged between birth and six years. The study focused particularly on provision available to children with special needs and the extent to which this matched factors identified in the literature as characterising effective early intervention for these children. In the study, children with special needs are defined as those who have disabilities and/or those who are at risk for reasons of socio-economic disadvantage. This definition is drawn from the Report of the Special Education Review Committee (SERC, 1993) which includes in a definition of special needs, all those whose disabilities and/or circumstances prevent or hinder them from benefiting adequately from the education which is normally provided for children of the same age.
Researcher/Institute/Organization
Special Education Department, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra
Brief Description of Research
This research study was concerned with examining the nature, extent and quality of provision for children with disabilities, and for children who are at risk for reasons of socio-economic disadvantage, in the Irish context. The study consisted of a review of the national and international literature on early intervention and an in-depth survey of provision in two geographical regions of the country. The specific objectives of the study were:
To review the literature with a view to identifying the factors which contribute to effective early intervention for children with disabilities and for children who are at risk for reasons of socio-economic disadvantage.
To document provision in two geographical areas of Ireland and to provide insights in relation to the nature and quality of that provision in the context of the factors for effective practice identified in the literature review.
To make recommendations in relation to future policy, research and practice in early years provision for this population of children.
Centre for Early Childhood Development & Education
Gate Lodge, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Tel: 00353 (0)1 8842110 Fax: 00353 (0)1 8842111
Email: early.childhood@spd.dcu.ie
