Early-Years Education-Focused Inspections An update EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND WORKSHOP & SEMINAR – DUBLIN – 15 NOVEMBER 2015 HAROLD HISLOP, CHIEF INSPECTOR & YVONNE KEATING, ASSISTANT CHIEF INSPECTOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Appointment of DES Early Years Inspectors An fhoireann nua!  Team of newly-appointed DES Early Years Inspectors took up positions on 2 November 2015  Extensive qualifications and experience in the early years sector – highly regarded professionals in the EY sector EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Early Years Inspectors Martina CarterMonica Cassidy Edel CondonMarie Doherty Imelda DuffyUlrike Falcini Antoinette GibbsCaitriona Ryan Evelyn Reilly 1 additional inspector joining the team in December EARLY YEARS EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP: 30 OCTOBER 2015

Induction and CPD programme for early years and primary inspectors underway Programme includes:  Purpose, goals of EY education and care and how inspection must respect the distinctive yet vital role of EY  Protocols for inspection  Draft quality framework & quality continuum (incorporating Aistear and Síolta)  Practice of evaluation  Procedures and tools – promoting validity & reliability  Arriving at evidence-based evaluative judgements  Providing feedback  Reporting – drafting and editing EARLY YEARS EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP: 30 OCTOBER 2015

Induction and CPD programme for early years and primary inspectors underway The programme includes:  Workshops  Work-shadowing  Observation visits to settings  Preparing for pilot inspections  Team-building – early-years and regional  Reflection and mentoring … Drawing on many experts in early years sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland EARLY YEARS EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP: 30 OCTOBER 2015

Role of DES Early Years Inspectors Within settings: To support development of educational provision in early-years settings participating in ECCE Scheme by:  Focusing on the experience of the child  Identifying and affirming good practice  Providing advice and support about how provision can be improved  Empowering service leaders to make change  Supporting self-evaluation and review processes EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Role of DES Early Years Inspectors  To complement other initiatives to support quality  To provide information to parents and the public through published inspection reports  To provide information on trends and needs in the early- years sector Improvement and Accountability  To support the improvement of the quality of provision and to contribute to robust quality assurance in EY EARLY YEARS EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP: 30 OCTOBER 2015

EYEI inspection focus EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND 14 NOVEMBER 2015

DES early-years inspectors observe…  The quality of staff interaction and engagement with children  Opportunities for children to communicate and express their own ideas  Opportunities for children to learn through play  Extent to which children are enabled to engage in freely-chosen play  Extent to which the environment and resources support learning  Quality of planning for learning experiences and for progression in learning – use of information to meet children’s learning needs  Value placed on children’s own creative ideas  The effective use of all time for learning EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

A strengths-based approach…  Engaging with practitioners in a spirit of trust and respect  Acknowledgement of the range and diversity of effective practice  Fostering of professional conversations that promote change and progression in learning  Keeping the child at the centre EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

We are committed to: 11 DES Inspectorate Fairness Consistency Positive professional relationships & partnership Co- professional dialogue Clear and sensitive communication Transparency

The Pilot  Selection of 50 settings across 5 regions according to the following criteria:  number of children in ECCE scheme  geographical location  pedagogical approaches  language used in setting – Irish or English  management type e.g. community, private  Expressions of interest invited –submission date: 18 November 2015  Settings chosen will be contacted and briefed on process  Notification will issue one week in advance of visit  Pilot in December 2015 and January 2016  Reports not for publication  Participants invited to present reflections on their experience at regional meetings EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Consultation/Providing feedback on EYEIs To date…  Information session for key stakeholders – May 2015  Draft quality framework and proposed procedures published in Briefing Paper  Opportunities provided for clarification – in writing  First phase of feedback on EYEI Briefing Paper - 34 submissions  Presentations at Early Years events EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Next steps for EYEIs  Select settings for pilot  Conduct visits to about 50 settings  Hold regional briefing & consultation meetings – early 2016  Invite participants in pilot to present reflections at regional meetings  Invite feedback from stakeholders in Early Years Sector  Finalise EYEI model; seek Ministerial approval & sign off  Commence EYEIs for publication  Review after one year EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015

Questions EARLY CHILDHOOD IRELAND : 14 NOVEMBER 2015