State Provisions free essay sample

I am going to discuss the state support: state provision for children, the historical development of the ECCE in Ireland, the current ECCE provision by the state, health and welfare, equal opportunity legislation and quality ECCE environment in 1200-1400 words. Childcare has changed over the years in so many ways. In the past women stayed at home to mind the children, there was no childcare facilities if children needed to be cared for neighbours or family members cared for the children. Also in the past anyone could open their own creche, there were no checks done on people there were no such thing as garda vetting and there was no such thing as a childcare qualification. Now in 2013 more women are working so there are more demands for childcare facilities, but because the recession has kicked in more dad’s are staying at home to mind the children if the woman has a better paying job. There is now a ECCE scheme set up in most creches for all children aged between 3years 2months and 4years 7months by sept 1st of every year. This provides all children that qualify with free pre-school which is 3hours per day 5days a week, 38weeks per year. Garda vetting came into place in 2011, which means anyone who intends to work with children, the elderly or any persons has to go through the garda vetting system, in this system you will be checked for any criminal records you may have. And the minimum entry requirement into a childcare facility now is a fetac level 5 in childcare, and in years to come that standard will more than likely rise. The current provisions in place by the state are as follows: ECCE Scheme The ECCE scheme was introduced in January 2010, it is managed by county childcare committees and administered by DCYA (Department of children and youth affairs). This scheme provides one free pre-school year for children aged between 3years 2months and 4years 7months by September 1st. The hours are 3 hours per day usually 9. 30 – 12. 30, 5 days per week and 38 weeks per year. This is a stepping stone into primary school. And the scheme gives every child including children in homes that may not be able to afford childcare cost have the chance to avail of the service. In order for the scheme to take place in the facility there has to be a minimum of 8 children enrolled or have proof that other children will be getting enrolled the following year. CETS Scheme CET’s means childcare education and training support. This is a scheme that fas and the VEC provide to people who have childcare needs. Only certain creche’s and childcare facilities provide this service so you do have to ask your local county childcare committee for a list of childcare providers who are currently providing this scheme. You will only ever have to pay max â‚ ¬20 per week to the creche. The price is at the discretion of the childcare provider. Early Start Programme The Early Start Programme is a one-year preventative intervention scheme offered in selected schools in designated disadvantaged areas. The objective of the pre-school programme, which is managed, funded and evaluated by the Department of Education and Skills, is to tackle educational disadvantage by targeting children who are at risk of not reaching their potential within the school system. Children must be aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months on the 1st day of September of the year in which they are enrolled. Children may either be enrolled in Early Start or in the Free Pre-school Year Scheme. Children are not eligible to be enrolled in both schemes at the same time. The Early Start Pre-School Programme was introduced in 1994. Health and Welfare services provided by the Irish state include: Medical Card The medical card is issued by the HSE (health service executive). To qualify for a medical card your income has to be below a certain level and family size. Your assets, income, savings, investments and properties (expect for your home) are assessed in the application of getting a medical card. With a medical card you, your spouse and children are all usually covered for the same services, everyone in your family will have their own separate card with the same number just with a different letter at the end. The card usually last’s for 3 years depending on certain circumstances. You must be over 16 to have your own medical card and living in the country or intending to live in the country for more than 1 year. Some services covered by medical card free of charge include: * Certain dental, eye and ear services * GP services, hospital care and hospital visits * Free transport to school for children who live 3 miles away from the school * Exemption from state exam fee’s * Don’t pay the health portion of PRSI * Medical and midwifery care for mothers * Public health nursing, school work services, other community care services * And you also get financial help with school books, clothing etc. There are now prescription charges since 2012 which are â‚ ¬1. 0 per item on your prescription form. The max charge per month is â‚ ¬19. 50. these charges do not apply to children in care of the HSE for example foster children or residential children. The HSE pay the remainder of the price of the prescriptions. There are no charges for people using methadone or anyone needing longterm illness medication. Child Benefit Child benefit was previously known as children’s allowance. It is payable to parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age or under 18 if the child is in full time education, youth reach or has a disability. It is paid at one and half times the monthly rate for twins and double the rate for triplets and other multiple births. Rates were reduced to â‚ ¬130 per month for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd child and the 4th child onwards gets the rate of â‚ ¬140 per month but this is set to change in 2014 that the 4th child onwards will also only get the rate of â‚ ¬140. In order to receive child benefit you have to apply within 12months of your child’s birth or month a child has become a member of the family. If you have children over 16 who are in full time education or have a disability you must get a form signed and stamped before their 18th birthday to continue to receive the benefit. You must notify the department of social protection if your child leaves school. If you have a change in circumstances you must also notify the department. If fraud is found you can face large fines and up to 3 years in prison. Legislation and policies provided by the state relevant to the childcare facility: The Equal Status Act, 2000 The Equal Status Act was signed into Irish law in October 2000 as a complement to the Employment Equality Act, 1998. It moves the concept of discrimination beyond the workforce and into the public arena where people shop, use services, socialise, attend educational establishments or obtain accommodation. It promotes equality and prohibits certain kinds of discrimination, sexual harassment and harassment on discriminatory grounds. Discrimination is given a broader definition than in the Employment Equality Act and includes direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and discrimination by association and by imputation. The Act outlaws discrimination on nine grounds – gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. The act covers * Sexual Harassment and Harassment * Disability – Reasonable Accommodation * Goods and Services * Accommodation * Educational Establishments Health and Safety Welfare at Work Act 2005 It applies to all employers, employees and self-employed people in their workplaces. The Act sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and employees and provides for substantial fines and penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation. Employer’s duties * Provide and maintain a safe workplace which uses safe plant and equipment * Prevent risks from use of any article or substance and from exposure to physical agents, noise and vibration * Prevent any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk * Provide instruction and training to employees on health and safety * Provide protective clothing and equipment to employees * Appointing a competent person as the organisation’s Safety Officer Employees’ duties To take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and of other people in the workplace * Not to engage in improper behaviour that will endanger themselves or others. Not to be under the influence of drink or drugs in the workplace * To undergo any reasonable medical or other assessment if requested to do so by the employer * To report any defects in the place of work or equipment which might be a danger to health and safety The act also covers: * Risk assessment and safety statement * Protective equipment and measures * Reporting accidents Health and safety and young people * Violence in the workplace * Bullying * Harassment * Victimisation Special Educational Needs Act 2004 The Education For Persons With Special Educational Needs Act 2004 was passed to ensure that persons with special educational needs can be educated where possible in a inclusive environment, that they can have the same rights to education as persons who do not have special educational needs and to ensure that such persons are equipped by the education system with the skills they need to participate in society and to live independent and fulfilled lives. Aistear Aistear has 4 themes which are Communicating, Identity and Belonging, explaoring and thinking and well being each of these themes have 4 aims which are as follows: Communicating Aim 1 – Children will use non-verbal communication skills Aim 2- Children will use language Aim 3- Children will broaden their understanding of the world by making sense of experiences through language Aim 4- Children will express themselves creatively and imaginatively Identity and Belonging Aim 1 – Children will have strong identities and feel respected and affirmed as unique individuals with their own life stories Aim 2 – Children will get a sense of group identity where links of family and community are acknowledged and extended. Aim 3 – Children will be able to express their rights and show an understanding and regard for the identity, rights and views of others. Aim 4 – Children will see themselves as capable learners Well-Being Aim 1 – For children to be strong mentally and socially Aim 2 – For children to be as healthy and fit as possible Aim 3 – For children to be creative and spiritual Aim 4 – For children to have a positive outlook and learning on life Exploring and Thinking Aim 1 – Children will make sense of the world around them Aim 2 – Children will use skills and Strategies for learning about their world Aim 3 – Children will explore idea’s and objects using symbols Aim 4 – Children will develop positive learning dispositions. Siolta Siolta 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 and designed to define access and support the improvement of equality across all aspects of practice in the ECCE setting where children aged 0-6 are present. My conclusion of my assignment is that there are so many services provided by the Irish government to help and support everyone in different areas such as disadvantaged areas in regards to childcare and the health service supports. Which in comparison to some other countries we have a good system even if we don’t think so ourselves.