Ireland’s first National Early Years Strategy is to be developed during 2012 by the Department of Children in consultation with other key stakeholders.

Children who grow up without a daily routine of regular bedtimes and family meals are likely to achieve poorer grades in school, a UK report warns.

An international expert on child protection has urged Ireland to proceed with the introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

Dr Hall asks Minister Quinn some pertinent questions on patronage of schools and learning and assessment in pre-school and primary education.

The Forum heard from experts that tendencies towards violence and antisocial behaviour are often implanted in a person’s constitution by age 3.

The ESRI/TCD study reveals that Ireland’s children want most of all “to be healthy, to get a good job, and to stay close to friends and family”.

Child experts report a virtually 100% uptake of the ECCE free pre-school year by parents of eligible children, and increasing interest from providers.

A quarter of UK mothers and fathers surveyed in April 2011 admitted they used television as a babysitter and claimed they did not feel guilty about it.

Government is lobbying for changes to EU rules which saw the Irish state pay €15 million in child benefit in 2010 to 7,800 children not resident here.

Schools, crèches, montessori’s, families and community groups nationwide are invited to join a fundraising ‘toddle’ for children’s charity Barnardos.

A new study carried out at the University of California Davis claims that bullying is motivated largely by a desire to climb the social ladder.

‘Protecting Children’ offers guidelines for those working in pre-schools, crèches, montessori schools, after-school groups and summer camps.

A merger has been announced this month between Irish Preschool Play Association (IPPA) and National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA).

Minister for Children Barry Andrews said the retention of the free pre-school showed the Government’s commitment to early years’ education.

Minister Barry Andrew has extended the registration period for free preschool education but Children’s Rights Alliance says parents are still confused.

90% of playschools and crèches are said to have signed up to the new pre-school scheme announced in Budget 2009, but many places remain unfilled.

The Start Strong Network claims that the current “patchwork response” to Early Education leaves Ireland “bottom of the league” of 25 OECD countries.

Five groups representing parents and children have warned of the serious negative impact which would follow a reduction in Child Benefit in the Budget.

The Government-funded pre-school scheme, starting in January, will provide a year of free education for children born between 2/02/2005 and 30/06/2006.

The Government has discovered major legal and practical obstacles to fulfilling its Budget plan to tax and means test child benefit payments.