Gender imbalance in politics holds early years system back Without fair pay and conditions, educators will remain undervalued

In a letter to the Irish Times, we highlight how gender imbalances in Irish politics and public opinion affecting Ireland's Early Years system.

Get your PJs Ready 💤

Just over 2 weeks to go and we have just hit 50,000 registrations for National Pyjama Day!

Funds raised this year will go towards supporting LauraLynn's services and our Eco-Emotions project.

Donate here: buff.ly/2kNsGdh

National Pyjama Day invites Kildare families to support LauraLynn charity - News - Kildare Nationalist Kildare families are invited to support a great cause this February

Get ready to put on your PJs for a purpose!

Find out how National Pyjama Day teaches children about the importance of kindness and community in today's Kildare Nationalist. 🫶

🔎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.
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Wellbeing in Aistear - Early Childhood Ireland Explore how Aistear promotes wellbeing, strong relationships and smooth transitions to support babies’ and toddlers’ emotional growth.

🌱 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

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.

Early Years and School Age Care left behind in Budget 2026 – Early Childhood Ireland - Early Childhood Ireland Following today’s Budget 2026 announcement, Early Childhood Ireland has voiced concern over the lack of meaningful investment in EY and SAC.

"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.

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Well now.....

📣 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

Finally deactivated X!

Watching children play demonstrates the value it has in children's development. In Ireland it is central to #Aistear.

Preschool: How to help your child navigate a brave new world "Pre-school asks a lot of children, says Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland. “It’s a very significant transition that involves adjusting to a new physical environment, different routines,…

Transitioning to Early Years education is a big step for young children which involves adjusting to new routines and environments.

Our CEO, Teresa Heeney, spoke with the @irishexaminer.bsky.social about how we can support children during this important time.
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Ask the children! - Early Childhood Ireland Máire Corbett from Early Childhood Ireland, highlights how even very young children can share their views on early education.

💬 Young children can absolutely share their views if we seek them in the right way.

#UNHCHR invites submissions, incl. from children, on a new protocol on the right to Early Years education.

If consulting children is new to you, our blog explores ways to approach this.

📢 We are hiring!

We are looking for a Press Officer (Local & Regional Media) to join our Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning team.

Learn more and apply 👇
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🆕 To mark #WorldEarthDay, Marlene McCormack from @dublincityuni.bsky.social joins the Early Childhood Ireland podcast to discuss sustainability in the updated Aistear.

Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.

Listen now 👇
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We extend our condolences to the Reggio community at the death of Carla Rinaldi.

Carla was a gifted educator and communicator. Her legacy in championing children's rights & evolving the Reggio Emilia Approach worldwide are deeply admired.

May she rest in peace.

♀️ Join us this #IWD2025 for a bonus episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast!

Our CEO, @teeheeney.bsky.social, and Chairperson, Sheila Nunan, discuss leadership, gender equality, and improving pay in Early Years and School Age Care.

Thanks to our sponsors Arachas Insurance.

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Does humanity ever learn?

Farewell to 46A bus route after almost 100 years After almost a century traversing the city, buses carrying the famed 46A mark will make their final journeys today.

While it's many years since I travelled this route (it was before #Bagatelle made it famous!), this news is like a piece of history is gone! RTE news : Farewell to 46A

www.rte.ie/news/dublin/...

Having lunch in Tenerife and glued to the theatre that is unfolding in Leinster House!

Hello Bluesky! 👋

Early Childhood Ireland is the largest membership organisation in the sector dedicated to ensuring that every young child is thriving and learning in quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in centre based and Childminding settings.

#QualityforChildren
https://buff.ly/3Wcu529

Not one candidate called to my door in the #GE24 campaign.