Siolta Standards

Siolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, outlines 16 standards considered crucial when providing a quality service for young children and their parents. These sixteen standards are based on recognised national and international research on what is best for young children. 

The 16 standards outlined by Síolta are:

• Standard 1 Rights of the Child - Ensuring that each child's rights are met, that each child is given the chane to exercise choice and to use initiative  as an actove particpant and partner in their own learning and development

• Standard 2 Environments - Ensuring there are enriching environments both indoor and outdoor with adequate materials and equipment and that they are well maintained, safe, accessible, adaptable, developmentally appropriate and stimulating.

• Standard 3 Parents and Families - Ensures that parents and families are valued and involved. Clearly stated policies and implementation processes should encourage a proactive approach.

• Standard 4 Consulatation - Ensures inclusive decision making requires consultation that promotes participation and seeks out, listems to and acts on the opininons and views of children, parents, staff and other stakeholders.

• Standard 5 Interactions - Supports constructive interactions between children and adults and requires explicit policies, procedures and practice that emphasise the value of mutual respect, equality and sensitivity.

• Standard 6 Play - Promoting play by ensuring that each child has time to engage in freely available and accessible developmentally appropriate opportunities for exploration and creativity. ensure taht children can play alone, with each other and with supportive adults.

• Standard 7 Curriculum - Encourages the holistic development and learning requirements of each child by implementing a verifiable, broad based, documented and flexible curriculum / programme.

• Standard 8 Planning and Evaluation - Enriching and informing all aspects of practice within the education setting by using observation, action and regular evaluation.

• Standard 9 Health and Welfare - Protecting the child from harm, providing nutritious food, opportunites and facitilites for rest, building secure realtionships based on trust and respect.

• Standard 10 Organisation - Ensuring there is an agreed written phiolosphy in place with clearly communicated policies and procedures to guide and infrom practice.

• Standard 11 Professional Practice - Requires that staff have skills, knowledge, values and attitudes appropriate to their role in the setting. Also requires regular reflection on practice and support with ongoing profesional development.

• Standard 12 Communication - Requires policices, procedures and actions are in place to promote effective communication, sharing of information, respect and confidentiality in the best interests of children as appropriate.

• Standard 13 Transitions - Ensure policies and procedures are in place to provide continuity of experiences for children that promote consistency in key relationships, liaison between settings, storing and transfering of relevant information with parental consent and the involvement of parents and professionals.

• Standard 14 Identity and Belonging - Promotes positive identities and a sense of belonging by having clearly defined policies and procedures that empower children and adults to develop a confident identity for themselves and for the group and to have a positive understanding and regards for the identity and rights of others.

• Standard 15 Legislation and Regulation - Ensuring that the setting is compliant with all relevant legal regulations and requirements.

• Standard 16 Community Involvement - Promotes community involvement by establishing connections and networks supported by policy, procedure and actions. To extend andsupport engagement with the wider community.

For complete information on these standards and what they mean, please visit the Siolta website www.siolta.ie