ParentChild Home Programme

ParentChild+ Programme at ELI

About the ParentChild + Programme. Originally from the United States, ParentChild+ forms a key part of The Early Learning Initiative’s family support programmes.

About the ParentChild + Programme

Originally from the United States, ParentChild+ forms a key part of The Early Learning Initiative’s family support programmes.

 ParentChild+ is an evidence-based, ‘learning through play experience’ for parents and their preschool children. It is designed to strengthen the natural bond between parent and child and to encourage a love of learning. It employs a non-directive approach and encourages the parent as the child’s first and best teacher. This programme prepares children for later success in school. ParentChild+ employs specially trained local people as Home Visitors, to model verbal interaction for the parent and child.

The Home Visitor visit the family twice a week, in their own home, for two short (1/2 hour) play sessions, which are run during the (primary) school year only. The family then continue the activities in their own time, thereby enabling the ParentChild+ child and his/her siblings to develop their language, literacy and numeracy skills.

The Role of the Home Visitor

The Home Visitor brings developmentally appropriate books and toys to the home. Each week a new book or toy is introduced, and the Home Visitor models reading and play for the parent and child. The books and toys are given as a gift to the family to continue learning and to build a quality home learning environment.

On the second visit of the week, the same book or toy is used again to encourage and promote the use of the materials. An observational report is written by the Home Visitor after each visit to record the child’s development and family engagement.

Home Visitors receive an initial 16 hours of training and attend weekly team reflective supervisions. As part of the ongoing education of Home Visitors, facilitated lectures/discussions on relevant topics are included in supervision. Supervision also provides an opportunity to report back on how the visits are going and to receive feedback and support from the Coordinator and the team. Home Visitors are also encouraged to continue with their professional development through academic and community courses such as FETAC Levels 5, and 6 as well as Degrees and higher in Early Years Education and other relevant topics.

Contact us:

If you are interested in finding out more information about the ParentChild+ programme  in the Docklands, please contact one of the Programme Senior Coordinators:

Jilyn McLoughlin
Email: Jilyn.McLoughlin@ncirl.ie
Phone: (086) 4666435

 Louise Mahon
Email: Louise.Mahon@ncirl.ie
Phone: (086) 7965531

ParentChild+ National Programme

The Programme is in its twelfth year in the Dublin Docklands and East Inner City and has successfully supported the establishment of a number of other sites across Dublin and Ireland.

These include:

a site in the Dublin South City Partnership area since 2009, which is now a certified standalone ParentChild+ sites
 a site in the Grangegorman area of Dublin 7 as part of the ABC programme, working with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and Daughters of Charity
a site in Ballyfermot and St. Ultans Cherry Orchard Dublin as part of the ABC programme, working with Family Matters and Ballyfermot Tolka Partnership
 a site in Clondalkin Dublin as part of the ABC programme, working with Blue Skies Initiative, Archways
site in Ballinasloe working in conjunction with NCI
a site in Limerick working with Garryowen Community Development Group
a site in Dundalk as part of the ABC programme, working with the Genesis Programme, Louth Leader Partnership
A site in Wexford working with the Youth New Ross Project
A site in Waterford City, working with Brill Family Resource Centre