Call for supports for school children

Traveller children and children who have English as their second language are less likely to be “school ready”, according to new research which also argues that more supports are needed to help better prepare children for the start of primary education.

The research, conducted by Dr Maire Hanniffy and presented to the School of School of Political Science and Sociology at NUI Galway, also found some concern over class sizes as well as widespread support for the free preschool year and its extension to two years.

The research involved interviews with 20 caregivers, 16 educators, 88 children who took part in the ‘Draw and Tell’ technique, and the completion of early development instruments for 46 children aged between three years and 11 months and five years and five months at the start of September 2013, with the focus on Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (Deis) schools in the West of Ireland.