Early Childhood Care And Education
Internationally recognised for its contributions in the area of early childhood care and education, the centre grew out of research within the DIT - Department of Social Sciences particularly the IEA Preprimary Project. This international, longitudinal project into the impact of early educational experiences has given the DIT extensive capability in relation to research design, methods and analysis particularly in the field of early education. The project assessed the early educational experiences of 400 children in Ireland focusing on children's experiences at age four (A Window on Early Education in Ireland: The First National Report of the IEA Pre-primary Project, 1997) and seven (Seven Years Old: School Experience in Ireland: National Report of the IEA Pre-primary Project II, 2001) in designated disadvantaged and non-designated disadvantaged primary schools and preschools and assessed the impact of both of these educational settings and parental influences on the development of participating children. Under the direction of Dr. Noirin Hayes, the Centre has, in addition to the IEA Project, conducted a number of key research projects pertaining to early childhood care and education since its establishment and now occupies a key advisory role in relation to ECCE research, policy and practice in Ireland.
The CSER is current chair of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) and also a member of its Steering Group. The CSER has also succeeded in securing funding for a number of research projects through external tendering processes including the 'Multiple Perspectives on Quality within Early Childhood Care and Education' (forthcoming) and 'Making Connections: A Review of International Policies, Practices and Research Relating to Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education' (2004). The CSER/DIT is also represented on the National Longitudinal Study of Children.
Past Centre projects include the OMNA Childcare Training and Development Project, held an associate role in the Dublin City Development Study and a participant role in the VaLEX EU Project. Recent research projects include 'Final Evaluation Report 2001 - 2003: Childminding Ireland', 'An Accessible Childcare Model' (2005, NWCI) and 'Early Assessment and Intervention in Educational Disadvantage' (forthcoming, CECDE).
The Centre continues to develop and enhance its expertise in the area of early childhood care and education and remains committed to research, conducted within a rights based perspective, which has at its core the enhancement of appropriate developmental supports for children though the promotion and facilitation of quality early childhood care and education in Ireland.