Síolta

The Compliance Guides for Service Providers are now available on the PIP Portal and the Hive.

They have been separated into two different guides as follows:

Compliance Guide for Service Providers for Saver Programmes (CCSP Savers programme including CCSU/CCSR and TEC Saver programmes)
Compliance Guide for Service Providers for ECCE Programme.

These two documents describe the standard compliance on-site visit process in relation to the CCSP/CCSU/CCSR and TEC Saver and ECCE programmes. Compliance checks are currently being conducted remotely, but as this is a temporary measure only, the guides reflect the on-site process. They will still however be useful for the current process as similar checks are being conducted. The guides also highlight key areas and programme rules that Service Providers should be aware of.

These Compliance Guides for Service Providers all include as Appendix 1 – the Compliance Checklist for Service Providers for the 2020/2021 cycle, to assist services in collating the relevant information to meet compliance requirements. In addition, Appendix 2 – Compliance Categorisations, includes the compliance categories assigned for each programme reviewed at a visit i.e. Compliant, Minor non-compliant, Moderate non-compliant and Major non-compliant. Further detail of the possible issues identified under each of the non-compliant categorisations per programme is also included in this Appendix.

Síolta the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education

Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, was developed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. It was published in 2006.

Síolta comprises three distinct, but interrelated elements: Principles, Standards and Components of Quality. The 12 Principles provide the overall vision of the Framework, while the 16 Standards and 75 Components allow for the practical application of this vision across all aspects of practice in the Early Years Service.

The Components of Quality are further explained by a set of Signposts, for ‘Reflection’ and ‘Think-abouts’, which are intended to support practitioners in early education settings to become aware of, and critical of their practice. These core elements of Síolta are set out in detail in each of the Síolta user manuals.

Full and Part-time Daycare

Sessional Services

Infant Classes

Childminding

Hardcopies of the Manuals can be purchased from Government Publications REF 61 at a cost of €5 each.

For further information visit www.siolta.ie or contact

The Early Years Education Policy Unit,
Department of Education and Skills,
Mespil House,
43-49 Mespil Road,
Dublin 4.

Tel: +353 (0)1 647 3050 / 3250 Email: earlychildhood@education.gov.ie