Citation
Barnardos. (2006). Childlinks Issue 3: School Age Programmes. https://knowledge.barnardos.ie/handle/20.500.13085/124
Abstract
This edition of Childlinks is devoted
to the theme of School Age
Programmes. For many years
Barnardos has provided out-of-school
activities as part of an integrated model
of community-based family support
projects. Recently, as part of our advocacy
work. on educational disadvantage, we
recommended the introduction of
comprehensive out-of-school activities
for all children, particularly those who are
disadvantaged. In a series of articles, this edition of Childlinks
aims to examine the topic from both Irish
and international experience.
Dr Paul Downes writes on behalf of
QDOSS, which is calling for a national
strategy on out-of-school services ~ a
strategy that is sensitive to the needs of
local contexts. It is interesting to learn about the United
States experience of out-of-school time
(OST) programmes. According to Bouffard,
Little and Weiss, the debate has moved
beyond the question of whether Out-ofSchool Time programmes matter to questions about why, how and for whom
they matter: Stakeholders now acknowledge
that youth need access to not just any
programmes, but to well-designed, high-quality programmes. Mary Maloney of Limerick City Childcare
Committee gives an informative overview
of the development of school-age childcare
in Ireland and, in particular an account of the
innovative work carried out by Limerick
City Childcare Committee in this area. Two evaluations of After School work are
included which provide insights into the
topic from the perspectives of children,
young people, parents, staff and teachers.
Finally, there is an account of the
development of a new Fetac award in
School Age Childcare, which is being coordinated by a collaboration of childcare
and training agencies.