Families from challenging home environments have been funded to participate in the ParentChild+ programme influencing the lives of 500+ children
Home Visitors are recruited and trained from disadvantaged communities in Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, New Ross and Waterford city
Number of words acquired by the age of 3 for children participating in the ParentChild+ programme, more than double the number generally achieved by disadvantaged children.
Working in partnership with local communities, the Early Learning Initiative at National College of Ireland (NCI) has developed a range of innovative programmes to improve the educational aspirations and outcomes of children and young people in inner city areas of Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, New Ross and Waterford. Our primary focus is on the ParentChild+ programme.
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The ELI basis.point Programme
Each year in Ireland, approximately 12,400 babies are born into poverty (CSO 2019). We work together to improve their educational outcomes.
ParentChild+ Programme delivered by ELI
ParentChild+ is a proven, innovative, home based literacy programme for pre-school children (18 months - 3 years) that strengthens families and prepares children to succeed academically. It significantly increases the educational capital and life chances for young people from areas of historical disadvantage.
Over a two year period, Home Visitors model oral language, reading and play in their twice weekly visits. The families then continue the activities in their own time, thereby enabling the PCHP child and his/her siblings to develop their language, literacy and numeracy skills and start school ready to succeed.
The programme has also been modified to meet the additional needs of families living in temporary accommodation.
Benefits of the ParentChild+ programme
Home Visitors build parents’ abilities to proactively support their children’s education, act as advocates and get involved in school and community life.
The average cost per year to provide a family with two home visits a week for a minimum of 23 weeks, a library of high-quality books and educational toys, accredited and supervised staff, and regular assessments and monitoring to ensure progress and quality is €3,000.
The ParentChild+ works with a cross sectorial network made up of: Public Health Nurses; pre-school staff; community and youth workers; and primary to third-level educators. This network increases the educational capital of the community and develops a sense of ownership and responsibility for the educational welfare of children from all involved.
basis.point Funding Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
2015 - 2017 - € 75,000 Inner City Dublin.
2017 - 2019 - €150,000 Inner City Dublin and Limerick.
2019 - 2021 - €309,000 Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Louth
2020 - €15,000 - COVID-19 Additional Support
2021 - €346,000
Download Impact Report 2023
€3000 is the per family cost for 2 home visits per week per family per year
108 local families will be able to enrol each year on the ParentChild+ programme ensuring vulnerable children have the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to start school ready to succeed.
Funding €896,000
Programme Feedback
Feedback from the families is very positive with all parents expressing a
high degree of satisfaction with the programme. Parents feel confident
in using the strategies modelled by Home Visitors.
What really worked well was the structure of the home visitor coming twice a week in the daily busy routine of life, it is great to spend quality time learning, playing and reading with your child.”
Feedback from a Parent
The relationship my daughter has with the home visitor is very important. Her approach is key. Bringing different books/toys is great for her attention span.”
Feedback from a Parent
