Rainbow Montessori entered the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) when it commenced in January 2010, therefore the school has to adhere to Siolta which is the National Framework for early Childhood Education in Ireland.

This publication is the result of the work of numerous people spanning over three years 2002 – 2005. This brochure will help parents to understand the principles and standards of Siolta and to see how it can be incorporated into the daily life of Rainbow Montessori. This article will give you a clear understanding of how this work will enhance our early childcare setting.

Síolta

Welcome to Síolta – the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (NQF). There are twelve interdependent principles of quality each ‘represent the vision which underpins and provides the context for quality practice’ in all childcare settings.

• ‘Early childhood is a significant and distinct time in life that must be nurtured, respected, valued and supported in its own right.
• The child’s individuality, strengths, rights and needs are central in the provision of quality early childhood experiences.
• Parents are the primary educators of the child and have a pre-eminent role in promoting her / his well being, learning and development.
• Responsive, sensitive and reciprocal relationships, which are consistent over time, are essential to the development of the young child.
• Equality is an essential characteristic of quality early childhood care and education.
• Quality early childhood settings acknowledge and respect diversity and ensure that all children and families have their individual, personal, cultural and linguistic identity validated.
• The physical environment of the young child has a direct impact on her/his well-being, learning and development.
• The safety, wellfare and well-being of all children must be protected and promoted in all early childhood environments.
• The role of the adult in providing quality early childhood experiences is fundamental.
• The provision of quality early childhood experiences requires cooperation, communication and mutual respect.
• Pedagogy in early childhood is expressed by curricula or programmes of activities which take a holistic approach to the development and learning of the child and reflect the inseparable nature of care and education.
• Play is central to the well-being, development and learning of the young child.

There are sixteen standards and each of these standards are further broken down into a total of seventy five components of quality. Each component has a number of signposts for reflection which are made up of questions followed by bullet points called ‘Think Abouts’. These can be described as discussion or thought provoking suggestions.

We at Rainbow Montessori have studied all of the standards of Síolta under the relevant age group 2½ – 6 years, we try to incorporate the ideas each component has to offer into the daily routine of the Montessori classroom. The staff are always open to new ideas and this is where the Síolta quality assurance scheme will widen our horizons.

Standard 1: Rights of the Child

Children have the right to be heard and the right to be listened to. This standard encourages the child to be independent, to speak for themselves and encourages the adult to offer the child choices and to respect their decisions.

Standard 2: Environments

Rainbow Montessori encourages the child to partake in indoor and outdoor activities during the daily routine. The classroom environment is very welcoming to the child, all the Montessori materials are displayed on child friendly units so the child can take an exercise unaided from the shelf.

The children are supervised at all times when outside playing. The area is very safe, well cordoned off and the children know the boundaries of the playing area. We have attended Buntas Start training and we have all the equipment – the children love when they see the big green bag being rolled out. If a child does not want to take part in the games this is not a problem. We will try to encourage them to give out the balls, rings etc. and to help gathering all the equipment after the event, therefore all the children are involved. The children are encouraged to keep the classroom clean and tidy and they learn to segregate the rubbish into green, black and brown bins. We recycle as much material as possible to encourage the children to be eco friendly.

Standard 3: Parents and Families

Rainbow Montessori encourages ongoing communication between children and staff and parents and staff. We have an open door policy where you the parents are welcome to talk to us at any stage if you have any issues concerning your child. In 2009, Aistear states that ‘Partnership involves parents, families and practitioners working together to benefit children. Each recognises, respects and values what the other does and says. Partnership involves responsibility on both sides’. We have numerous times during the year where you can see your child in the classroom. The parent information evenings, the Christmas play, parent teacher meetings and don’t forget the opportunity to talk to the class all about your job.

Standard 4: Consultation

At circle time each day, each child gets a chance to tell us what is going on in their lives. This is a time where we ask open ended questions and talk about our emotions and our feelings. If a situation arises in school – for example biting, pushing, name calling, we can discuss ways of preventing this behaviour happening again and we all talk about how it is very important for everyone to be friends in Rainbow Montessori.

Standard 5: Interactions

There are 4 children assigned to each table, the ages and gender are mixed so as to encourage the younger child to observe what the older child is doing and to unconsciously absorb the information. The older child empathises with the younger child. The places are changed on a regular basis so all the children mix with each other at all times. We have numerous school policies which reflect our ethos, which are available for parents to read if the wish. The staff are fully trained in Montessori teaching, in First Aid, Manual Handling, Buntas Start and attend refresher courses during the weekends to ensure a high level of education for your child.

Standard 6: Play/Exploration

In the Montessori classroom, there is enormous scope for play. The Montessori child learns to call this work, where a playschool child would call it play. The child learns to spoon, to pour, to sieve, to grade, to sort, to zip, to buckle, to make a bow and numerous other practical life exercises. The child progresses through the work at his/her own pace. One child may excel in language, another in numeracy and another in science. The child is constantly exploring new concepts and new ideas.

Standard 7: Curriculum

Montessori education caters for the holistic development of the child. The child’s total well being is catered for. Maria Montessori says “the secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination”. The child’s emotional development grows through these informative years, the child absorbs their surroundings so as adults we have to be aware of our behaviour as the child copies all it sees.

Standard 8: Planning and Evaluation

Observations of the children are written down at regular intervals throughout the year. These records are used to help the teachers gain an insight into the development of the child. We also record the different stages each child is at with the use of the Montessori equipment. This record keeping allows us to follow the child’s development through the Montessori curriculum.

Standard 9: Health and Welfare

Through our daily routine, each child’s needs are met. Every child has an opportunity to have a drink, to have a snack and to have a little rest when needed. Your child’s health and well being are very important and if the pre-school setting is not a welcoming place, your child will not reach their full potential. A monthly fire drill takes place in the building. The local fire brigade visit us every Summer and allow the children use the hoses and to have a ride in the fire engine – a fun day for all. We have implemented the guidelines from Children First and Our Duty to Care in relation to child protection in our school policies.

Standard 10: Organisation

Rainbow Montessori has numerous policies and procedures in place which adhere to the Montessori principles and to the Child Care Act 1991, Síolta, Aistear and the Child Care (Pre-School Services) No. 2 Regulations 2006. The policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and adjusted accordingly.

Standard 11: Professional Practice

The staff of Rainbow Montessori strive to constantly improve their teaching skills and to always have a positive attitude towards the children in their care. Staff are willing to discuss with parents any difficulties they may be experiencing with their child in the hope to eradicate the behaviour as quickly as possible.

Standard 12: Communication

The staff of Rainbow Montessori will never divulge the name of a child who misbehaves. It will be brought to the attention of the relevant parents only and will not be discussed outside the confines of the classroom. Confidentiality is vital in running a child care business so all the children’s records are stored in a safe and confidential manner.

Standard 13: Transitions

An Open Day is held every May for the parents and children to meet before they start school in September, this is a great way for staff, children and parents to meet. The first few days, the settling in period can sometimes be difficult for both parents and child.

We are very understanding regards this and if it takes a few weeks for the transition to take place, this is not a problem.

Standard 14: Identity and Belonging

Maria Montessori said: “The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth. From this almost mystic affirmation comes what may seem a strange conclusion that education must start from birth”. It is very important for each child to have their own identity. The first day at school we all introduce ourselves, say our name and talk a little about ourselves and this may involve looking at ourselves in the mirror.

Standard 15: Legislation and Regulation

‘All relevant legislation and regulations are met or exceeded by the setting’

• Child Care Act (1991)
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1992)
• Child Care (Pre-school Services) Regulations (1996 and 1997)
• Children First-National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children (1999)
• Our Duty to Care – The Principles of Good Partice for the Protection of Children and Young People (2002)
• Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (2004)

In Rainbow Montessori there is always a place for a child with special needs, this is paramount for the development of all children and of the family.

Standard 16: Community Involvement

Rainbow Montessori has compiled a folder with humerous leaflets concerning the activities in our area, please do ask to have a look at it – the range of sporting activities in the area is amazing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information.