Sligo Family Support Ltd. 2.13

Sligo Family Support Ltd. is an effective family support service which is based on the premise that families are the primary educators of children. We believe that all families contain within them resources and strengths which can be nurtured.

Sligo Family Support Ltd. began in 1989 as 'Parents Together' following research carried out which indicated that a) the early years in a child's life are the most important b) any intervention in early childhood education must include working with the parents and c) the earlier the intervention is made the more successful it will be. In 1992 a Home Visitation Service and Parent and Toddler Group was established. A Toy and Book library commenced and a variety of talks and socials were held for parents.

In 1994 Lifestart Sligo was born. The Lifestart Programme was adopted and adapted to suit the local culture and needs. Lifestart is a family education programme, which focuses on children 0-5 and their parents. It recognises that this is a crucial age for children's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. The programme aims to enable parents to make informed, relevant decisions about the upbringing of their children and to empower them to give effect to these decisions.

The childcare facility has developed from a drop in crèche to a service which today provides, pre-school, after school sessional and full day services to seventy children on a weekly basis. Parent programmes also continued during this time.

The 1990 Child Care Act places a statutory duty on health boards to provide childcare and family support services. Services such as those provided by Sligo Family Support Ltd. improve people's abilities to provide a nurturing environment, are a central component of any childcare provision.


Aims

To support parents in their role as the primary educators of their children thus enabling them to give their children the best start in life.
To facilitate the development and empowerment of children to reach their full potential in a holistic, fun environment.
To support parents in their own development taking into account the changing needs of families and communities.
To provide training and resources to ensure best practice.


Objectives

By delivering an early years home visitation service we will facilitate and encourage parents to fulfill effectively their role as primary educators.
By providing peer support we will facilitate parents to grow and develop through shared experience.
By providing a range of child care services and age appropriate programmes we will:

Encourage within children a positive attitude towards the learning situation.
Nurture and develop their innate love of learning.
Build Children’s self esteem.
Develop their desire to achieve throughout their lives.
Ease them into the learning environment.

By responding to parents expressed educational needs we will enable them to develop their potential and enhance family and community life.
By co-operating and networking with other organisations both statutory and voluntary, at local regional, national and international level, we will respond to the emerging needs of families, articulate their needs and actively lobby on their behalf.
By providing training opportunities we will encourage and ensure best practice in all aspects of our services.
By securing the necessary resources we will ensure the continuity of our services.
By taking part in on-going evaluation we will review and adapt our services accordingly.