Social and Legal Issues in Childcare

Course Objectives

• Identify the factors influencing and impacting upon early childhood care and education in Ireland

• Recognise the statutory regulations and voluntary regulations that have a direct impact upon early childhood education and care settings

• Understand and interpret social policy and its impact upon children and their families

• Understand the procedures for dealing with suspected or actual abuse

• Understand the principles of equality and its application within an early childhood education or care setting
  
  

• Assessment Structure

• Project 50%

• Assignments ×2 (25% each) = 50

Course Structure

• Childcare provision in Ireland

• Rights of the Child

• Agencies concerned with the welfare of children

• Social Policy

• Implications of contemporary policy development on early childhood care and education practice

• Relevant Irish and EU legislation

• National child protection guidelines

• Role and responsibilities of the supervisor in ensuring child protection

• Child protection policies and procedures within a early childhood education and care setting

• Procedures for suspected or actual child abuse

• Protocol for claims of abuse against a childcare worker

• National equality legislation

• Anti-bias childcare practices

• Equality Proofing