An In-Career Development Programme for
Teachers and Management in Pre-Schools for Travellers
Over the last decade, there has been increasing recognition of the need to improve the educational position of Travellers within Irish society, in particular education in the early years.
The Department of Education and Science funds approximately 52 pre-schools for Travellers catering for over 530 pupils. The CECDE Programme of Work (CECDE, 2001) recognises that one of the principal elements in the quality of early childhood education is the issue of staff qualifications and training. The National Evaluation Report on Pre-schools for Travellers (DES, 2003) found a significant need for in-service training among both the teachers and members of the management committees of these pre-schools.
Researcher/Institute/Organization
INTO/Barnardos partnership
Brief Description of Research
The purpose of this project was to develop and implement an in-career development programme for the teachers and members of the management committees of Traveller Pre-Schools. It encouraged the development of practice and skills for those working in Traveller preschools and contained a built-in evaluative aspect to allow dynamic on-going training and career development.
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
