Send us a text In a special episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast to celebrate International Women's Day we invited the Chair and the CEO of Early Childhood Ireland Sheila Nunan and Teresa Heeney to have a conversation. In the episode we explore leadership, gender equality, and the work for better pay and conditions in Early Years and School Age Care.   In the context of International Women’s Day, the discussion  highlights the personal experiences of these two women leading the largest national children’s advocacy and membership organisation in Ireland. We shed light on ..read more

Send us a text In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the findings of the eighth annual Barometer, with Director of Policy Frances Byrne. This opinion poll is conducted for Early Childhood Ireland, by Red C and explores public attitudes to Early Years and related issues.  ..read more

Send us a text In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the findings of the eighth annual Barometer, with Director of Policy Frances Byrne. This opinion poll is conducted for Early Childhood Ireland, by Red C and explores public attitudes to Early Years and related issues.  ..read more

Send us a text This episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast provides an update on the Eco-Emotions suite of materials and resources. Guest, Milica Atanackovic, tells us how Eco-Emotions was created to support educators to develop a deeper appreciation of the importance of co and self-regulation and the role nature pedagogy can play in this for children. Milica also discusses the plans to extend the resources in 2025.    ..read more

Send us a text Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework has been updated. In this episode we chat to Dr Sharon Skehill from the NCCA about some of the key developments and changes in the Framework. You can find the Updated Aistear here https://curriculumonline.ie/early-childhood/aistear-2024/  ..read more

Send us a text For our first episode of 2025, and as the final stages of government formation are taking place, we chatted with Frances Byrne and Emily Clarke of Early Childhood Ireland about our policy work during the recent General Election campaign.  ..read more

Send us a text As part of our strategic policy work, we were delighted to host a Meet the Members event this Thursday, 5 October, where a group of Early Childhood Ireland members  met with key members of the Oireachtas to discuss our Budget 2024 Submission. There was a large turnout and we were delighted to chat with Kathleen Funchion TD, Dara Calleary TD, Jennifer Whitmore TD and David Stanton TD, along with our members Orlaith Doyle, Rachel Runswick and Louise Kilbane ..read more

Send us a text In this final episode of the series focusing on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion we talk to Shirley Heaney, National Coordinator of the Leadership for Inclusion (Linc) programme about what motivated her interest in this area, and discuss lots of practical examples of how educators can recognise their own good inclusion practice and ways they can develop it further.    ..read more

Send us a text In this episode we are delighted to be joined by Laura Dagger, from the National Child Safeguarding Office. She discusses the legal responsibilities of Early Years, School Age Care and registered Childminding settings in relation to Child Safeguarding. She outlines the requirements of the Safeguarding Statement and finally stresses the fact the Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Laura also signposts us to training and resources that can be found here https://www.childsafeguardingelc.ie/training ..read more

Send us a text In this episode we have a conversation with two passionate educators about children thriving outside in nature. Johanna Davis and Mary-Ellen O'Sullivan, from Seedling Nature Schools in Limerick share their experiences of children developing self-regulation and a value for the environment in their outdoor setting.  ..read more