About Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta

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What services are offered by Forbairt Naíonraí Teo?

Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., provides support to establish, develop and administer the following services through Irish: naíolanna, naíonraí, after school services, summer camps and parent/guardian and toddler groups.

Advice and assistance is available to individuals or groups wishing to use Irish with children.

How are these services made available?

• Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., has an office in Dublin. The team are here to provide information and support to new and existing Naíonraí, aswell as parents and members of the public seeking further information.
• Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., provides an intensive training course and FETAC Childcare Levels 5 and 6 courses. Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., is a FETAC recognised training centre.
• There is a wide range of material and books available from Forbairt Naíonraí Teo.
• Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., has arranged a comprehensive Group Insurance Scheme for all groups registered.
• Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., has a scheme to help provide some basic equipment suitable for a Naíonra.
• There is a Grant Scheme open to all Naíonraí outside the Gaeltacht regions.
• Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., publishes a monthly newsletter, NaíNuacht, containing information and articles of interest to all involved in childcare.

Why does Forbairt Naíonraí Teo., undertake this work?

• Each child has a right to receive care and education in Irish.
• There is a need and a demand for childcare services through Irish.
• These services are beneficial to the holistic development of the child.
• These services assist families and children who are in over-populated areas, where there is a great demand for services.
• The child's linguistic abilities are enriched.
• A child can easily acquire a second language naturally.
• The use of Irish assists with language development in the home, which helps strengthen and broaden the use of Irish in public.
• It helps create and strengthen links with the heritage and traditions of Ireland.

Where are these services available?

These services are available nationwide, in cities, the countryside, on islands, Gaeltacht regions, public halls, schools, sports centres, shopping centres and private houses in Ireland and abroad.

What age group does the Naíonra cater for?

Usually between 3 to 5 year olds.

What is a Naíonra?

The Naíonra is a group of children coming together daily for 2-3 hours in a pleasant, cheerful and safe environment, under the guidance and supervision of a Leader. The staff structures the environment to ensure that all facets of the child's holistic development are catered for, which giving the child the opportunity to acquire Irish naturally through the medium of play, which is this particular age group's chief method of learning.

How do you set up a Naíonra?

Contact the office in Dublin and you will receive advice about location, committees and staff.

It is recommended to have a steering committee of parents and interested individuals to ensure continuity of the Naíonra and to look after financial matters.

The child-to-adult ratio should be kept as low as possible; a ratio of 10:1 must be maintained at all times.

Forbairt Naíonraí Teo. has put together a document which goes through every step involved in setting up a Naíonra, from training, legal requirements, the role of the Naíonra committee and contact details of all the Child Care Committees. This document can be downloaded here.

Forbairt Naíonraí Teo. is governed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Childcare Act 1991 and the Childcare Regulations (Pre-School Services) 2006.