Continuing Professional Development

Are you new to Aistear or looking to develop your practice in using Aistear further? Either way, Continuing Professional Development in line with the principles and objectives of Aistear the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide will ensure you and your team are delivering quality early childhood experiences and adhering to professional levels of practice.

Following a consultation meeting, we can identify the most appropriate CPD needs of your team or individuals and take it from there! You may decide to attend a CPD session with other early childhood educators or avail of a private delivery in your own setting with scheduled follow up implementation supports. The choice is yours!

LIST OF CPD PROGRAMMES

Aistear in Practice 0-3 and 3-5 years
Positive Behaviour Strategies for Young Children
Planning and Assessing Using Aistear’s Themes
Strengths Based Writing Techniques
Meaningful Interactions with Children
Mo Scéal. Moving from Preschool to Primary: Supporting Young Children and their Families with Transition
Developing, Documenting and Implementing and Individual Education Plans
Understanding the Tusla Quality Regulatory Framework

Policies & Procedures Package

As a key part of your quality standards and processes, it is essential that your policies and procedures suit your early childhood service, the families who use your service and are unique to the particular context of your service. One size does not necessarily fit all. It is also important that you embed your policies and procedures within your everyday practice were appropriate and that all staff have a high awareness of the rationale behind each statement.

Meantóir Policy, Procedure and Statement Packages are specifically developed for they various types of early childhood service for compliance with the Child Care Regulations (The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) ( Amendments) Regulations 2016 and Part II, Article 5(4) Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.

Each package option is available in electronic PDF format and is fully personalised to your service. Policy content is developed in line with the Tusla Quality Regulation Framework (QRF) 2018 to ensure inspection compliance. These are grouped and presented under 3 main headings:

Governance
Health, Welfare and Development of the Child
Safety

Packages options include a full policy package, a single section package or a School Age Childcare package.
Each package provides detailed policies, procedures and statements that will become you ‘go to’ guide on different areas of your practice with children. Each policy is linked to the relevant underpinning legislation, outlines clear processes for good practice and provides staff guidance where necessary.

Tutorial Sessions

Are you a Childminder or mature student undertaking FETAC/HETAC training in early childhood education or training? Are you under a particular time constraint to gain a qualification to access a DCYA funding programme?

Would you like some structured guidance on doing research, completing modules or writing up assignments? Then you may benefit by participating in 1:1 tutorial sessions to support you during your period of study.

Business Supports

We offer a range of supports to Childcare Service Providers to assist them in a range of areas including:

Start Up Supports including a practical research of need and compiling a Business Plan.

Funding Application Support to increase your chances of submitting a successful funding application.

Developing Policies and Procedures for your service

Support to meet Tusla Registration and Compliance.

HR Supports such as interviewing staff, mediating disputes and setting up efficient work systems.