Aistear and Siolta
Aistear is the curriculum framework for children from birth to 6 years in Ireland. It provides information for adults to help them plan for and provide enjoyable and challenging experiences so that all children can grow and develop as competent and confident learners within loving relationships with others, at Laochra Beaga we believe the relationships built between practitioners, children and their families are the most important aspect of caring for the children attending our setting by following the Aistear guidelines and aims we are ensuring the quality of care and education given to each child is based on their needs strengths and abilities this is supported by the relationships and communication we have with each of our Laochra Beaga families.
Aistear celebrates early childhood as a time of being, and of enjoying and learning from experiences as they unfold. It is underpinned by 12 interconnecting principles presented in 3 groups:
- Children and their lives in early childhood
- Children’s connections with others
- How children learn and develop
The framework uses the following interconnectedly to describe children’s learning and development:
Well-being
Identity and Belonging
Communicating
Exploring and Thinking.
They describe what children learn—the dispositions, attitudes and values, skills, knowledge, and understanding. Each one includes aims and broad learning goals for all children. The aims and goals outline the dispositions, values and attitudes, skills, knowledge, and understanding that the adult nurtures in children to help them learn and develop.
Aistear is a very much wholistic approach and benefits the practitioners in guiding them towards the best outcome for each child with the support and guidance of the detailed framework available to look back at during any point of uncertainty. Using Aistear also helps to ensure each child is educated and cared for in a way that will allow them to reach their full potential at a pace that suits them and in ways that encourage nurture and give confidence to each individual.
Aistear interlinks with the Quality framework for early childhood education Siolta to create a high quality guidance for childcare settings to ensure both the curriculum and education but also the environment and facilities used are of quality and will be of most benefit to the children and families receiving care and education through Early years facilities.
Síolta is designed to define, assess and support the improvement of quality across all aspects of practice in early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings where children aged birth to six years are present. These settings include:
- Full and Part-time Daycare
- Childminding
- Sessional services
- Infant classes in primary schools
Síolta does this by recognising elements of practice that are successful within the setting, as well as identifying aspects in need of attention and improvement. In this way, it acts as a tool to promote continuous quality improvement and planning. At Laochra Beaga we ensure to stay up to date with Sioltas quality framework. By staying up to date and aware of changes and developments we are able to ensure our setting meets the high standards required by Siolta in order to facilitate high quality education and care for all children attending our setting.
