If your child was born between February 2 2005 and June 30 2006 he/she is eligible for a free pre-school place in January 2010.
If your child was born between February 2 2006 and June 30 2007 your child can avail of their free pre-school place in September 2010.
The free pre-school year in early childhood care and education (ECCE ) is designed to give children access to a year of programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting-point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment.
Mary Giblin, co-ordinator of Galway City and County Childcare Committee advises parents to act quickly: “Parents are advised to enrol their children in their chosen childcare facility as soon as possible if they wish their child to avail of the ECCE scheme in January 2010. GCCCC development workers are available to answer any questions parents may have about the free pre-school scheme, so please call.”
A list of services participating in the ECCE scheme is available from Galway City and County Childcare Committee. For more information phone 091 752039 or email [email protected].
Galway City and County Childcare Committee’s seventh annual childcare conference will take place on Saturday, November 28 in the Salthill Hotel.
This year’s theme is ‘Nurturing Bright, Balanced Children in Modern Times’. Guest speakers include: Sue Palmer, UK child development expert and author of Detoxing Childhood; Dr John Sharry, Irish Times columnist and author of Positive Parenting and Séamus Morrissey, coordinator Incredible Years Galway. Childminders are invited to the launch of the “Quality Childminders” poster.
Parents, childcare providers, and childminders are all welcome to the conference. Phone 752039 or email [email protected] to book a place.
