It is widely acknowledged nationally and internationally that quality early care and educational experiences are an essential response to children’s needs and rights, as well as being a precursor for their subsequent development and lifelong learning (see Hayes, 1995; Vandell & Wolfe, 2000; Whitebook, Howes & Phillips, 1989).
While there is little national research on quality, there are numerous initiatives at the policy and indeed practice level, which give an insight into the sorts of questions and dilemmas that have to be considered to develop an understanding of quality. The White Paper ‘Ready to Learn’ points out that ‘quality may often be considered as a rather vague term, the definition of which will vary according to individual perspectives' (DES, 1999, p. 51).
In developing a quality framework for early childhood care and education in Ireland it is of crucial importance for the CECDE to develop methodologies to capture these multiple perspectives of quality – particular the perspective of children. In light of this, the purpose of this project is to gain a greater understanding of quality in the Irish context, in particular to access multiple perspectives on the meaning of quality within early childhood care and education settings in Ireland.
This project looked at different perspectives of quality from different stakeholders in different settings, in early childhood education and care. It has produced and validated instruments to measure quality. The outcomes of this research will inform and contribute to national quality standards.
Researcher/Institute/Organisation
Karen Mahony and Dr. Nóirín Hayes, CSER, DIT
Brief Description of Research
This project approached multiple stakeholders in early childcare and captured their views as to the meaning of quality through interviews and focus groups. This included parents, children, childcare staff, national policy representatives, and representatives from County Childcare Committees and National Voluntary Organisations. The project also examined observable quality using a combination of the ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale) and the ITERS (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale).
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
