🌱 Wellbeing is the foundation for learning in Aistear — Ireland’s early childhood curriculum framework. When children feel safe, loved & secure, they can truly thrive. Learn more

🔎A new report by the @esri.ie considers how the type of School Age Care children attend impact their outcomes, highlighting gaps that need to be considered in future policy work. Find out more in this week's Policy in Focus. buff.ly/gABc6te

Early Childhood Ireland was invited to take part in a consultation of Equal Start. In this week's Policy in Action, we give an overview of our feedback, which was informed by engagement with our members. 🎬 👉 buff.ly/y1a7i5S

This week, we attended the @nwc.bsky.social 'Recipes for Gender Equality' event which examined how Ireland can learn from successful European models of Early Childhood Care and Education.

The latest Growing Up in Ireland study provides a stark reminder of the inequalities within Irish society. Read our analysis of the study in relation to Early Years. 🔎 buff.ly/o0ExVgU

Aistear, the early childhood curriculum framework, speaks about how babies, toddlers and young children learn through loving, trusting and respectful relationships. In our latest Scéalta, we reflect on the vital role of trust.

Yesterday, we hosted a discussion on our two new research projects: 1️⃣ Aistear and Síolta: Exploring Childminders' perspectives and application 2️⃣ Exploring children's and Childminders' experiences of mixed-age communities in home-based settings Many thanks to all participants.

Recent parliamentary questions on the #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare sector highlighted the need for significant investment to improve challenges with capacity. Read more 🎬 buff.ly/CkyMSSH

Yesterday, we hosted a discussion on our research project 'From Rhetoric to Reality' which investigates the inclusiveness of Irish Early Childhood Education and Care settings for members of the Traveller community. Many thanks to the participants for their contributions.

Today is World Children's Day 🌍 At Early Childhood Ireland, we work closely with our members, stakeholders and policymakers to help deliver a high-quality, inclusive Early Years and School Age Care system that enshrines the rights of children. Learn more about our work

📣 We are hiring! 📣 We are recruiting a Policy Officer to join our Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team. The successful candidate will create a positive change in the lives of children in #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare settings. Apply now 👇 buff.ly/DoK1pQc

9 #Communications and #Agency roles on www.prii.ie/job-listing.... this week Communications @svpireland.bsky.social sky.social @samaritans.bsky.social #Circular.ie @bostonsci.bsky.social @earlychildhoodireland.ie @nursinghomesire.bsky.social Agency #Drury #LKCommunications #WilsonHartnell

In October’s Making the News, we provide an update on Early Childhood Ireland’s media activity for Budget 2026, including our participation in key policy discussions at the Oireachtas. Learn more 🗞️ - loom.ly/fuJmLVw

According to the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social, strong Early Years systems consist of: ✅ Availability of affordable places ✅ Inclusive programmes ✅ High-quality services ✅ A professional workforce Learn more in this week's Policy in Action 🎬 buff.ly/O0P8FBQ

⭐The European Quality Framework provides key principles to deliver high-quality Early Years provisions. In this week’s Policy in Focus, we look at the influence that the framework has in the development of Irish policies. 🔎 buff.ly/pjRu9n9

The final quality theme of the European Quality Framework for Early Years Education is Evaluation and Monitoring. This theme is essential in ensuring the development of a high-quality Early Years and School Age Care system. 🔗Learn more: buff.ly/698x9vu #CatalystForChildren

Governance and funding are a key theme of the European Quality Framework for Early Years Education, supporting families with the right to access Early Years and School Age Care provisions. 🔗 Learn more: buff.ly/5njHv6D #CatalystForChildren

The European Quality Framework states that children’s experiences and their active participation should be valued, and the importance of learning through play should be understood and supported in Early Years settings. Learn more: buff.ly/Lu2y1C1 #CatalystForChildren

According to the European Quality Framework for Early Years Education, quality in terms of workforce can be measured by ensuring: ⭐ Strong leadership ⭐ Ongoing professionalisation ⭐ Professional development #CatalystForChildren buff.ly/698x9vu

Every child deserves the best start in life and that begins with accessible high-quality Early Years provision. Quality in terms of access can be measured in the following areas 👇 🔗Learn more - buff.ly/5njHv6D #CatalystForChildren

The European Quality Framework for Early Years Education sets out 5️⃣ quality themes to ensure high-quality is achieved. ⭐ Access ⭐ Workforce ⭐ Evaluation and Monitoring ⭐ Governance and Funding ⭐ Curriculum 🔗Learn more - buff.ly/698x9vu #CatalystForChildren

This week, we are highlighting the importance of the European Quality Framework in #EarlyYears education which provides an approach to high-quality Early Years provision based in EU Member States. 🔗Learn more - buff.ly/698x9vu #CatalystForChildren

This week in Policy in Action, we provide an overview of recent Parliamentary Questions on Early Years and School Age Care raised in the Dáil. 🎬 buff.ly/JhgMtaB

In our latest blog, Teresa Glynn, from Radharc na Mara Afterschool in Galway reflects on the impact her participation in the Early Childhood Ireland Practitioner Inquiry Programme has had on her practice and on the experiences of the children.

The Free School Meals programme in the UK is a big step toward improving outcomes for pupils, however restrictive criteria results in many disadvantaged under-5s seeing no benefit. Read more 🔎 buff.ly/qxDaFm4

This year's International Child Safeguarding week highlights the importance of giving children a voice in decisions that affect their safety and wellbeing. Learn more about our work on Child Safeguarding in #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare: buff.ly/UeQbM2q

In our latest Scéalta blog, we share reflections on Professor Lani Florian's keynote presentation on inclusion in Early Years and School Age Care at this year's @eecera.bsky.social conference.

While Early Years and School Age Care received significant attention in the lead-up to Budget Day, the final announcement fell short and lacked the meaningful investment the system needs. Read our full analysis of #Budget2026 🎬 👉 buff.ly/6uBMouG

Investing in high-quality Early Years education is one of the most powerful tools Ireland has to tackle child poverty and create fairer outcomes for all children.” Read more about how Early Years education is the key to #EndChildPoverty 👇 buff.ly/LoHj8js

Today we met with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality along with the Children's Rights Alliance, Social Justice Ireland, and the National One Parent Family Alliance. Our CEO, Teresa Heeney, spoke on the vital role Early Years play in breaking the cycle of #ChildPoverty

#Budget2026 represents a missed opportunity to build an Early Years and School Age Care system that meets the needs of families, the workforce, providers, and most importantly, children. Read more from our CEO, Teresa Heeney, in today's @independent.ie 👇

It was announced that 2,300 new Early Years places will be created in #Budget2026. While this is welcome, it does not begin to address the current capacity needs as up to 40,000 children remain on waiting lists nationwide. Read more in @thejournal_ie 🗞️ buff.ly/Eo8Uvoc

"While we welcome the additional Early Years places announced today, this will barely make a dent in the current waiting lists." 📣 Read our #Budget2026 reaction. buff.ly/R2aC3WI

#Budget2026 is soon to be announced, and we hope to see a clear commitment to improving access to Early Years and School Age Care for the tens of thousands of children on waiting lists for a place. Without staff, plans to increase capacity simply won’t be feasible.

Our CEO, Teresa Heeney, and our Policy and Media team are at Buswells Hotel to hear if #Budget2026 will deliver on the government’s promise to children. Learn more about our 1️⃣ ask. buff.ly/Se6UkQm

#Budget2026 will be announced tomorrow, and we have only 1️⃣ ask: Bring Early Years and School Age care graduates under public sector pay and conditions. This would be transformative for educators, families, settings, and children. Read more: buff.ly/Se6UkQm

Every child deserves the best start in life, yet staff shortages in Early Years and School Age Care settings result in children missing out on high-quality care and education. Read our solution in today's @echolive.bsky.social 🗞️

Equal Start is a model of government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and participate in Early Years and School Age Care. Read what we learned from our members about year 1 and what to expect as it enters year 2 🔎: buff.ly/axbfBHO

Our CEO, Teresa Heeney (@teeheeney.bsky.social), spoke with the Irish Farmers Journal about how meaningful investment in the Early Years and School Age Care workforce in #Budget2026 would go a long way in ensuring every child has access to services in their community. Learn more 📰

Tune in to our 🆕 podcast where our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), explains why guaranteeing pay parity for Early Years and School Age Care graduates would be transformative for the system. Sponsored by Arachas Insurance 🎧 👉 buff.ly/Ng9x4GX

Early childhood is a critical period for supporting each child’s curiosity, resilience, creativity, confidence, and potential. At Early Childhood Ireland, we champion high-quality Early Years and School Age Care, always placing the child at the centre of our work.

📣 We are recruiting a Policy Engagement Manager to join our Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning. Apply today and help make a significant change for children, settings and the Early Years and School Age Care system in Ireland. 👉 buff.ly/SDtQ2cl

We were delighted to attend the International LINC Conference on Saturday for an inspiring day focused on inclusion in Early Years. There was a range of workshops, including an outdoor sensory workshop led by our Early Childhood Specialist, Lorraine Diggins. 🌱

High-quality Early Years and School Age Care is essential for children's well-being and development of cognitive, emotional and social abilities. We analyse the latest @oecd-ocde.bsky.social Education at a Glance report in this week's Policy in Focus 🔎 buff.ly/ePd1HDw

Our CEO, Teresa Heeney, was pleased to meet with Minister Norma Foley this week for a constructive pre-Budget discussion, including our call for pay parity between Early Years and School Age Care graduates and primary school teachers. #Budget2026

We’re marking a big milestone — our 100th podcast episode! 🎉 In this special edition, we are joined by Wendy Lee from New Zealand’s Educational Leadership Project to discuss the importance of relationships in #EarlyYears education. Sponsored Arachas Insurance.

Weekend read 📖 A new report by @thenfer.bsky.social highlights the urgent need to create working conditions that mirror the importance and value of #EarlyYears educators. Learn more 🔎: buff.ly/gN9ysEj

Child Safeguarding is about protecting the child from harm, promoting their welfare and fostering an environment where they can grow and reach their full potential. Discover the 5️⃣ Rs of Child Safeguarding buff.ly/2pY0gak

Staff recruitment and retention issues are big obstacles to children’s access to Early Years and School Age Care. In this week's #BudgetThursday, our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne (@fraffieb.bsky.social), reflects on how pay parity with teachers would alleviate capacity issues.

This week is Children First Awareness week, highlighting our shared duty to safeguard children. At Early Childhood Ireland we priortise Child Safeguarding in Early Years and School Age Care settings. Learn how we can all help to protect children. 👇 buff.ly/2pY0gak