THE ADDITION OF a second free pre-school year has been ruled out by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, in an interview with the Sunday Business Post yesterday.
Fitzgerald said that it was now important to focus on staff qualifications and on a more robust inspection process before this would happen.
However Early Childhood Ireland has expressed concern about what it called a “knee jerk reaction” as it said many centres are ready to meet the high standard criteria for a second free year.
Questions have been raised about exploitation of the free pre-school year scheme following the RTÉ Prime Time programme on creches and the next budget will be another tight one but advocates of the second free year say it would be a big help for parents and children.
We want to know what you think: Should a second free pre-school year be included in the next budget?
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