Parents

Let’s Get Ready – Getting Ready to Start Preschool and Primary School

As children prepare to  start preschool or, to make the move from pre-school to primary school, parents can be assured that there are a number of actions they can take at home to support these important transitions.

Starting Preschool Resources:

Find the link to the Gov.ie resources for starting preschool here

What to expect at Naionra here

Starting Primary School Resources:

Find the link to the Gov.ie resources for starting primary school here 

Better Start Resources

National Parents Council Resources

National Council for Special Education Video, Resources and Booklet

A Short Guide for Parents  Newly Arrived in Ireland

Tusla have put together a short guide for parents who are newly arrived in Ireland.

The guide can be accessed here

An Introductory Guide to Childcare for Parents in Ireland is available in several languages please see links below

English please click here

Russian please click here

Ukrainian please click here

Information for Parents/Guardians on Children First in Early Years Services

Children First Children First: National Guidance outlines that all organisations working with children, including Early Learning and Care Services should create a culture of safety that promotes the welfare of children and young people availing of their services. They have obligations under the Children First Act to keep children safe whilst they are availing of the service and also to report Child Protection and Welfare concerns above a defined threshold to Tusla.
See here for more information, this information is also available as Gaeilge.

Resources for Parents from the Government to support children at home

Here are some tips and strategies that might be useful when spending time with babies and young children.  The most important message of all is to enjoy your time with them and play.

Oh and wash their hands and yours too!!!

First 5 Click Here

Sharing Books with your Children –  Tips for Parents:

  • Try to make time everyday to share a book with your child
  • Find a quiet place to share your story.  Turn off the TV and radio as this will help your child to listen without distraction.
  • Read the story to your child and talk about the pictures
  • Relate the pictures or story to people and places that you know
  • Books with rhyme and repetition – encourage your child to join in
  • You don’t always have to ‘read’ a book, you can point at the pictures and talk about them
  • If your child already knows the story, let them take the lead and retell the story to you.  Ask questions like ‘What’s your favourite part of the story?’; ‘How do you think she felt about that?’
  • New stories are good for encouraging predicting skills, ask your child what they think happens next
  • Don’t worry if your child regularly brings home the same storybook, children love to revisit the same stories
  • Talk to your child about minding their books
  • Remember to return the book on the selected weekday so that your child is able to choose a new book
  • Let other grown-ups – grandparents, carers and older brothers and sisters –join in too.
  • Don’t read for too long, little and often is best
  • Remember you’re not teaching your child to read, you’re just encouraging a love of story…

If you are interested in further information on sharing books with children then why not have a look at our leaflet ‘Read with Me’.