The expanded Henry Hudson Elementary will have 65 NEW 0-5 #ChildCareSpaces and 30 NEW #SchoolAgeCare seats.

This will mean seamless access for families to the supports their children need in one convenient community hub location.

#bced #childcarebc #bcpoli @vsb39.bsky.social

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

📣 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

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

Weekend read 📖

A new report by @eurofound.europa.eu highlighted the need for improved working conditions and training of #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare professionals to ensure the wellbeing of children.

Read more 🔎 👉 buff.ly/9AQ8vs6

Keep up to date on the latest political and policy developments affecting #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare system on our new 'Policy News and Analysis' page. 👇

buff.ly/iA1KnY9

The #EarlyYears & #SchoolAgeCare systems in Ireland & England face similar challenges.

At a recent DCU Early Childhood Research seminar, ‪‪@abbyabhaya.bsky.social from @jrf-uk.bsky.social‬ shared proposals for improving quality in England via public funding.

Learn more 🎬
buff.ly/zRUkt6c

Today, we attended the launch of the Children's Rights Alliance's fourth #ChildPovertyMonitor.

Investing in high-quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare provisions is just one step the government can take to tackle child poverty.

⏰ Applications for the role of Press Officer (Local & Regional) close at 5pm, Tuesday 10 June. ⏰

The successful candidates will be creating a positive change in the lives of children in #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare settings in Ireland.

Apply now 👇
buff.ly/7J9YPU4

Our CEO, @teeheeney.bsky.social‬, was pleased to attend the Northern Ireland Early Years conference today for insightful discussions about the future of #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare and to celebrate this inspiring organisation's 60th anniversary.

What #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare issues are our TDs raising in the Dáil?

Learn more in this week's Policy in Action. 🎬

buff.ly/MnHp84s

🗣️ As part of our policy work, we regularly attend events related to policy, practice and development in the Irish #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare system.

Get up to speed with recent key events in this week's Policy in Action. 🎬

buff.ly/BW5GlzZ

According to the @OECD, what are some of the key elements in achieving a high-quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare system?

🎯 Strengthening the workforce
🎯 Engaging parents
🎯 Focusing on play

Read more in this week's Policy in Focus. 🔎
buff.ly/zeXmWr8

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, recently shared plans to increase investment in #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare, including improving pay for educators and capacity in settings.

Learn more in this week's Policy in Action. 🎬
buff.ly/XFsly9l

Our multidisciplinary team generates new knowledge from and with the #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare community to enhance #QualityforChildren.

Our current work includes research on:
➡️ #Childminding
➡️ Inclusion
➡️ Child Safeguarding

Learn more 👇
buff.ly/qsgT5VN

Early Years and School Age Care in Ireland: A Public Good - Early Childhood Ireland Early Years and School Age Care in Ireland is recognised as a public good, requiring investment, quality, and workforce support.

In 2024, there was a significant shift on public opinion on #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare system, with increasing recognition of the vital role it plays in young children's development.

Read more in this week's Policy in Action.🎬

Early Childhood Development in European Countries - Early Childhood Ireland An overview of the challenges faced by European countries about prioritising Early Childhood development, outlined in Eurochild’s new report.

Investment and accessibility are among the ongoing challenges faced by Europe's #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare systems, according to the @eurochild-org.bsky.social 's 'Early Childhood Development Sub-Report'.

Read our full analysis in the latest Policy in Focus. 🔎

We were pleased to meet with Minister Norma Foley to discuss our vision and policy priorities for #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in 2025 and beyond.

We look forward to working with Minister Foley to deliver a high-quality Early Years and School Age Care system for every child.

At Early Childhood Ireland, we believe that every child should have guaranteed access to high-quality, inclusive #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare provisions.

An overwhelming majority of respondents agree with us. 🎯

#ECIBarometerWeek

https://buff.ly/4hX27QB

🧩 66% of adults agree that the education of children under 5 is as important as for those over 5.

#EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare play a vital role in laying the foundation for children's futures.

Read more in our press release.

https://buff.ly/4gHUjkD

#ECIBarometerWeek

Policy in Action 5 February 2025 - Early Childhood Ireland Attracting, training and retaining high-quality early years staff is the cornerstone for a system that delivers quality for all children.

Speaking at the launch of the @oecd-ocde.bsky.social s' latest report, Andreas Schleicher stated that policy makers should focus on the training that #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare staff have to address the needs of children.

Read our full analysis of the report. 👇
https://buff.ly/4aNp4TW

Policy in Action 21 January 2025 - Early Childhood Ireland As the Programme for Government reaches its final stages, we look at some of the current proposals and reflect on our key asks.

While we welcome the Programme for Government’s commitment to continue to invest in and develop #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare in Ireland, we are disappointed with the lack of vision and measurable targets.

Read our analysis. 👇
https://buff.ly/3Wq21Ze

Through our policy work, we advocate for a high-quality #EarlyYears and #SchoolAgeCare system which values, supports and invests in childhood, children and services.

#QualityforChildren

https://buff.ly/3Wcu529

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