• About ITM
• Key Issues
• ITM Network
• Publications
• News & Events
• Links
• Contact us
• Site map

• Legal Unit

• Print version

Traveller Education: Pre-School

Pre-Schools

There are 45 pre-schools for Travellers located throughout the country. Most of these were established through voluntary, local development and later received support from the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Health and Children and various voluntary and charitable groups. Some Traveller children also attend community childcare facilities and the 40 Early Start pre-schools around the country, and some Traveller children access private early-schooling. Attendance at pre-school gives the young children a valuable educational experience and prepares them for primary education.

Concerns have raised about the inadequate funding for Traveller pre-schools, which results in unsuitable premises for early childhood education and the fact that there is no standardization in qualifications held by pre-school staff. Training should be provided for those currently involved in Traveller pre-schools to gain the necessary skills and qualifications to continue with their work. All pre-schools should have enrolment policies which guard against anti-Traveller racism and other forms of discrimination. Staff in pre-schools should receive training in equality and anti-racism and intercultural resources for use in pre-schools should be developed.

The Department of Education and Science carried out a national evaluation of the pre-schools for Travellers. The report of the evaluation was published in 2003 and it provides recommendations on how the early childhood education of very young Travellers can be improved. This can be accessed at:
www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/preschool_traveller.pdf

The Department of Education and Science’s approach to early childhood education is underpinned by the White Paper on Early Childhood Education- Ready to Learn (1999). It can be accessed at:
www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/contents.htm

Further information on Early Childhood care in Ireland and pre-school provision can be found in a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), titled the OECD Thematic review of Early Childhood Education and Care Policy in Ireland, which can be accessed at:
www.education.ie/...background_report.pdf

The Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) was formed in 2002 to develop and co-ordinate early childhood education in accordance with the objectives of the White Paper ‘Ready to Learn’ and to advise the Department of Education and Science on policy issues on childhood education. For information on their research and publications, access their website at:
www.cecde.ie/

The Children’s Rights Alliance aims to secure the changes in legislation, policies and services required to ensure the implementation in Ireland of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and provides information on children’s rights in Ireland. Their website can be accessed at:
www.childrensrights.ie/