Dinosaurs and castles in vision of perfect playschool
More than 600 children aged three to five were asked if they had a magic wand what their vision for early care and education would be.
Ciairin de Buis, director of the Start Strong project, said that despite some of the more colourful ideas, the replies could form future policy.
“They said they wanted to play outside, have enough windows in their buildings and wanted their mammy and daddy to come in,” she said. “There are some serious policy issues, like more family involvement.
“But there were also requests for a castle with stairs up to the clouds, dinosaurs to play hide-and-seek with and giraffes.”
Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald launched the document at Deansrath Family Centre in Clondalkin, west Dublin.
Youngsters involved with Barnardos, the Border Counties Childcare Network and the Irish Preschool Play Association took part in the consultation, which will be used to lobby Government.
“If policy-makers are to develop policies that are in children’s interests, then they must listen carefully to what children themselves have to say,” she said.
“If I Had a Magic Wand aims to show that children can and should be an important voice in the development of policy.”
