Siolta in Practice

A Guide to Implementing Síolta Quality Standards in Early Childhood Education and Care Presents Síolta Standards within the framework of legislation, best practice guidelines, the curriculum framework and key policy initiatives, written for the ECEC sector in Ireland. Explains the relationship between Síolta and each policy and how to implement them in order to achieve, and aim to exceed, the required quality standards in ECEC practice. • Written in an accessible, easy-to-understand style, this guide introduces the sixteen Síolta standards, explaining how to practically implement them within an early childhood setting. It links the theory of Síolta to daily ECEC practice. • Highlights key connections linking each Síolta Standard across all areas of ECEC. • Each page presents useful insights into Síolta, its relationship to policy, legislation and best practice, and tips for implementation to translate theory into practice. • Provides a practical approach to policy, with a step-by-step overview of the most relevant policies, and how they map onto, or work with, Síolta. • Simplifies essential early childhood policies and initiatives, including The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services Regulations 2016), Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and much more, including Laura Lundy’s (2007) model of participation. • Uses reflective questions to encourage deep thinking about significant and topical issues in ECEC, such as gender, inclusion, child agency, diversity, equality, representation and professional practice. THE AUTHOR Paula Walshe is an experienced lecturer, programme lead and content developer in the field of Early Childhood Education. She is currently undertaking PhD research on STEAM in Early Childhood Education at Dundalk Institute of Technology.