We have consulted with parents and children from our previous After-school and adapted our polices accordingly.
A number of researches have consulted with children regarding their experiences of School Age childcare. Child Links – School Age Childcare Issue 1 2020 also Horgan et al. undertook a consultation on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) in 2017, involving 177 children (81 aged 5 to 7 years and 96 aged 8 to 12 years) from across primary schools in Ireland, Action Plan on School Age Childcare – The Action Plan was heavily informed by consultations with various groups over 2015 and 2016.
For both cohorts of children, opportunities to play and to socialise with friends dominated the findings (Horgan et al. 2018). Children also highlighted being outdoors or having a hall to play as a preferred activity and, highlighted their dislike of being in a structured environment with RULES.!!!
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 3.1 states that the best
interests of the child must be the primary consideration throughout all of the policies that concern children.
TUSLA
The registration of school age services was introduced on the 2nd January 2019 with the publication of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. Prior to this Minister Zappone (TD) signed the Childcare Support Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 201. This order will enable registered school age services to participate in the affordable childcare scheme from its introduction in autumn 2019. A “Commencement Date” of the 18th February 2019 was agreed to start the registration of school age services. From the 18th February 2019, all school age service providers are required to register their school age service with Tusla by completing the online registration process in order to comply with The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.Our Polices
Our policies reflect the philosophy of the service that we provide. The reflect how we care for the children. They set down clear, agreed and consistent ways of doing things right. They make our service’s requirements, beliefs, values and decisions open and transparent to all. Being able to refer to clear, written policies and procedures when planning or making decisions helps maintain effective practices.This has a significant impact on the quality of service and how we deliver it!
The importance of the spatial spaces that influence the type and scope of activities in which children engage are highlighted, as is the importance of bringing the experience of children to bear on policy development. Experiences of children tend to illustrate that they value freedom, choice, and privacy. Flexibility and the support of non-intrusive adult figures also emerge as important to children in their after-school care. – Action Plan On School Age Childcare 2017