Thesis Cork Institute of Technology, 2019.

Bibliography: (pages 222-289).

There is a significant volume of literature relating to what constitutes 'quality' in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. Notably, these discussions tend to focus on professional definitions of quality rather than parental perspectives. There is also considerable evidence that highlights the importance of family involvement in children's development and how, when combined with professional knowledge in ECEC, can positively influence children's holistic development. The purpose of the current study was to explore and examine the components that determine quality in ECEC from the perspectives of practitioners and parents participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme, 2010 (ECCE Scheme). This study is underpinned by a bio-ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner & Pamela, 2007), which considers the child as a construct of their home, immediate surroundings and the larger beliefs of the society in which they reside. To investigate the components that determine quality ECCE, this study used three separate forms of data analysis. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners (n=18) and with parents of children (n=15) availing of the ECCE scheme (2010). The general concensus reached by practitioners and parents related to seven components that determine quality in ECCE (i.e. centrality of play, consultation, monitoring and evaluation, stable working conditions, parental partnerships and participation, the role of the practitioner, resources and funding). Interestingly, several challenges (lack of investment in ECCE, professional development opportunities and communication between practitioners and policy makers), were also identified by practitioners and parents regarding quality ECCE. To remedy some of these challenges, TeachKloud, an innovative cloud-based management and compliance tool, was developed. To the authors knowledge, this was the first PhD study in Ireland to assess the efficacy of a cloud-based management and compliance tool in supporting quality practice in ECCE services from the perspective of practitioners and parents. TeachKloud was trialed for three months by 7 ECCE services and 13 parents and a survey was administered after the respective trials to assess the efficacy of TeachKloud in supporting quality practice in ECCE services. Findings indicate that TeachKooud supports structural and process quality, namely, family involvement, monitoring and compliance, professional development, reflective practice and the documentation of children's learning opportunities - (author's abstract).