Siolta Quality Assurance Process
The contents of Síolta have been designed to assist all those concerned with the provision of quality early education in Ireland to participate in a developmental journey towards the improvement and enrichment of young children's early, and arguably most critical, life experiences. Since the publication of Síolta, many early childhood services and individual practitioners have engaged informally with the Framework. This informal engagement has been supported by the dissemination of Síolta documentation and a large number of Síolta information workshops across the country. It is quite different from early childhood services participating in the Quality Assurance Programme (QAP).
The Síolta QAP is a supportive process allowing practitioners to reflect on their practice and provide evidence of how they are delivering a high level of quality in all 16 standards. The QAP consists of twelve steps.
Once a service has registered their interest and has been assigned a Síolta coordinator they carry out a self assessment, rating their practice against the 16 standards outlined in the Síolta framework. This self assessment will outline where a service is strong and where it may need to improve practice.
Services taking part in the QAP then write action plans outlining how changes will be made. At the same time a portfolio will be built showcasing the setting’s work. Portfolios may include any item that illustrates how the setting meets a high level in all 16 standards. For example:
• Policies and procedures
• Records
• Learning stories
• Observations
• Copies of children’s work
• Photographs
• Recommendations from parents etc.
Once a portfolio is complete it is submitted to the Early Years Education Policy unit, along with an updated self assessment for validation and a site visit will take place.
At present, a number of Síolta Coordinators are working across the country. Expression of interest can be made directly to a Síolta coordinator in your area. For more information contact your local city or county childcare committee or see the ‘who is overseeing the QAP’ section.
Who is overseeing the Síolta Quality Assurance Process?
Structured implementation of Síolta QAP began in three Dublin based Prevention and Early Intervention Programmes: 'Preparing for Life' in Dublin 17, 'Young Ballymun' and the 'Childhood Development Initiative' in Tallaght.
The Irish Preschool Play Association (IPPA), National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA), Boarder Counties Childcare Network (BCCN), Irish Steiner Kindergarten Association (ISKA), Barnardos, Daughters of Charity, High/Scope Network and Childminding Ireland now have trained Síolta coordinators. These coordinators will work alongside members of their organisations and support them to implement the QAP.
The methodology deployed and the personnel involved in the implementation of the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme have to be endorsed by the Early Years Education Policy Unit.
For further information on the methodology used please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see www.siolta.ie