Aistear focuses on the development and well being of every child. The curriculum provides a wide range of activities and works across four over reaching themes; ‘Communicating’, Exploring & Thinking’, Well-Being’ and ‘Identity & Belonging’. Within each theme are an identified number of learning opportunities designed to provide a comprehensive set of goals. Photographs will regularly be displayed on the Aistear Board, providing parents/guardians with information how each activity relates to the development of their child within the themes mentioned above.

Crumlin Childcare will provide opportunities for the child to engage in and explore their environment through messy play, outdoor play and child led experiences. Staff will support the child to engage in making positive decisions while encouraging respectful relationships with children and their families attending the centre.  Crumlin Childcare acknowledge that parents are the most important people in their children’s early lives, and through partnership with parents we encourage their involvement and engagement with staff, in deciding their child’s care and education where appropriate within the centre.

Our Curriculum
All of the children’s activities are planned based on our observations of their interests and needs rather than a pre-planned adult led curriculum. We will guide the children towards topics that we believe will interest them and we will also introduce topics based around seasons, holidays, significant events in all children’s lives etc. As such our curriculum is planned within each room generally in the previous month to allow for it to be changed and adapted to suit the children’s needs. Each day we will endeavor to introduce new experiences to your child.

What is Síolta?
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. Since December 2008, the Early Years Education Policy Unit, in the Department of Education and Skills, has been responsible for the implementation of Síolta. These settings include:

• Full and Part-time Daycare
• Childminding
• Sessional services
• Infant classes in primary schools

Core Elements of Síolta
Síolta is comprised of three distinct but interrelated elements: Principles, Standards and Components of Quality. The 12 Principles provide the overall vision of the Framework, while the 16 Standards and 75 Components allow for the practical application of this vision across all aspects of ECCE practice. The Components of Quality are further explained by a set of Signposts for Reflection and íThink-aboutsí which are intended to support practitioners in early education settings to become aware of and critical of their practice. These core elements of Síolta are set out in detail in the Síolta User Manual.