PARENTS and local communities could be asked to raise one-third of the budgets of the country’s secondary schools again next year because of an €18 million shortfall in government funding, a report to the Department of Education warns.

ARCHITECTS have rejected claims by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe that they have been overcharging schools for building projects.

THE latest education cutback is to close a centre developing vital Government policy and structures for pre-school education.

THE National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) has called on its members to put a clear and accountable complaints procedure in place so that issues in relation to crèches can be resolved quickly and fairly.

CHILDCARE experts say that Health Service Executive (HSE) regulations must be seen as minimal standards and is advising parents seeking a crèche for their child to look for one that is committed to quality through membership or involvement with a voluntary childcare organisation.

A COMMON set of standards aimed at improving the quality of early childhood care and education has been endorsed by the Government.

Ireland's early childhood education services rank far behind those of most European countries, it was claimed today.

THE Government must invest more in pre-school education to increase quality and access, an expert said yesterday.