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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 09/10/2026

Even though some of the measures announced by the Government this week are welcome for children and families, Budget 2027 failed to recognise the crucial role of the workforce in delivering high-quality Early Years and School Age Care. These are some of the announcements made on Tuesday:

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 07/10/2026

Budget 2027 lacked ambition for Early Years and School Age Care. Despite Minister Chambers citing more ‘childcare’ places as a key indicator of success, yesterday's announcements offered no real measures to address the up to 46,000 children under 3 on waiting lists. Read more: buff.ly/1tj93Ah

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 07/10/2026

Yesterday the Government announced a short sighted and disapointing Budget for Early Years and School Age Care. The promised fee reductions will lead to an increase in demand that providers will not be able to meet because workforce pay and conditions have been ignored. 🗞️ buff.ly/1tj93Ah

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 06/10/2026

Today is Budget Day. We hope to see a significant investment in the Early Years and School Age Care workforce as a first step to improving the system and increasing capacity. We’ll be following today’s announcements closely and sharing our response. buff.ly/YyXRsGU #Budget2027 #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 02/10/2026

This Policy in Action recaps our Meet the Members event attended by over 40 TDs and Senators. On the same day, Senators called for: 1️⃣ lower childcare fees 2️⃣ prioritised of co-location for all new school buildings 3️⃣ CPD actions in Nurturing Skills implemented by 2028 Read here: buff.ly/HbnlYZv

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 30/09/2026

Professional learning and development shouldn’t only happen in educators’ own time. We are calling on the Government to fund 3 in-service days a year for every Early Years and School Age Care setting. buff.ly/0uCRDtb #Budget2027 #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 29/09/2026

🎥With Budget 2027 just days away, we asked Early Childhood Ireland members to describe their biggest challenge in one word. Behind each answer is a call to value and support the workforce that children, families and communities rely on every day. #Budget2027 #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 28/09/2026

📣 🆕 Podcast episode This week, Racheal Govan, Managing Director of Footprints Early Years, and Claire Butterly, National Coordinator LINC Programme, share their perspectives on what genuine partnership looks like in practice. 🎙️ Listen here: buff.ly/szUKVjN

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 28/09/2026

Ireland’s Second EU Child Guarantee Interim Progress Report was recently published. In part one of our analysis, we look into: 🔎 Findings relating to child poverty rates in Ireland 🔎 How Ireland compares with the rest of the EU regarding child poverty Learn more: buff.ly/DL8AUff

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Reposted by Early Childhood Ireland

Roderic O’Gorman TD @rodericogorman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Glad to support the @earlychildhoodireland.ie campaign for pay parity for childcare professionals.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/09/2026

This evening, Better Start are hosting a webinar with Traveller and Roma Advisory Specialists covering: 🌍️ The policy context 📈 The accessibility barriers Traveller and Roma children experience 📝 Examples of effective and inclusive practice Sign up: buff.ly/w7OTnZ6

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/09/2026

A 6% pay increase for Early Years and School Age Care staff is welcome news. But, as Sheila Nunan, Chairperson of Early Childhood Ireland, points out no other similarly qualified professionals have to wait on similar annual pay processes. Read more on the Irish Times: buff.ly/C08gaMF

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/09/2026

Tomorrow, we are hosting our Meet the Members event where key policymakers will have the opportunity to meet with our members and listen to what educators and providers want to see for children in this year’s Budget. #Budget2027 #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 18/09/2026

We recently attended a research seminar by Dublin City University about “public models” of Early Years provision. The research recommends the development of a multi-site non-profit model as a blueprint for public Early Years and School Age Care. Learn more: buff.ly/Uzs2kDx

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 17/09/2026

As the Dáil returns, we look at the key Early Years and School Age Care issues they will be facing, including: 🎓 Calls for a bigger public role in Early Years provision 📃 Commerical rates for services 📝 Low number of childminders on the current register Read more:

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/09/2026

The Dáil returns today and we are urging the government to raise terms and conditions for staff and to demonstrate that the Early Years workforce is valued and respected. Read our submission here: buff.ly/rFoTo5o #EndTheExodus #Budget2027

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Reposted by Early Childhood Ireland

Ombudsman for Children's Office @ocoireland.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Why do children’s rights matter in everyday life? In our latest video, Teresa Heeney from Early Childhood Ireland shares her perspective on why the UNCRC matters for children in Ireland. Watch the video and find out more about Follow Through on 42 on oco.ie.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 11/09/2026

📣 🆕 Podcast episode This week, we are joined by Early Years professional, Adele Evans, who shares her insights on on embedding a slow relational approach in practice, following her participation in the Time for Nurturing Connections CPD programme. 🎙️ Listen here: buff.ly/HgzWiFV

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 10/09/2026

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Growing up in Ireland, a study that followed more than 30,000 children. This week's Policy in Action analyses key insights from the study about how early experiences and attitudes to school shape educational outcomes. Read here: buff.ly/1BB2ctT

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 09/09/2026

As part of our #Budget2027 submission, we are calling for the Graduate Premium to be doubled to help recruit and retain Early Years graduates. Our Policy Engagement Manager, Tracey Beausang, explains why this matters. buff.ly/8IMWU1G #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 07/09/2026

Eco-Emotions helps children see the environment as somewhere they belong. Our Director of Membership, Excellence & Learning, Milica Atanackovic, was featured in The Irish Examiner discussing the importance of nature-based and outdoor learning for young children. Read more: buff.ly/PhfJphi

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 07/09/2026

This week's Policy in Focus explores Eurochild’s flagship report, ‘Unequal Childhoods: Rights on paper should be rights in practice’ that outlines the progress and challenges affecting very young children, including access to high-quality Early Years. buff.ly/jZVwV6A

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 05/09/2026

Valuing the Early Years and School Age Care workforce means recognising the vital role it plays in children’s lives. In this week's Policy in Action we dive into why a graduate-led workforce is central to a system that is considered best in class. buff.ly/MLbhV1b

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 03/09/2026

Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne, was pleased to attend the third annual Child Poverty and Wellbeing summit today. An insightful day looking at the key steps to tackling child poverty, starting with an equitable, inclusive high-quality Early Years and School Age Care system.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 01/09/2026

Currently, there are up to 46,000 children under the age of three on a waiting list for an Early Years place. None of the Government’s plans to reduce fees and increase capacity will be effective for families unless it can offer security to staff and settings. buff.ly/8IMWU1G #EndTheExodus

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Budget 2027 - Early Childhood Ireland

Early Childhood Ireland Budget 2027 Submission End the Exodus End the Exodus Time to Value Early Years and School Age Care Staff Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the government to prioritise the…

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 28/08/2026

Today at #EECERA2026 Dr. Linda Kelly shared her presentation: “Assessment for learning: Creating pedagogic space for children to shape their own learning.” The aim of the research was to explore managers' and educators' understandings of assessment and to identify actionable recommendations.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 26/08/2026

We are at #EECERA2026 🌍️ This year's theme is 'The Development of Agency, Participation and Democracy in the Digital Age'. We are excited to present our research and interact with exceptional scholars, policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 26/08/2026

Research shows that Early Years and School Age Care high-quality experiences have a long-lasting benefit on children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Quality depends on a skilled, qualified and supported workforce. Learn more about our asks for #Budget2027 [link to submission]

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 25/08/2026

We are delighted announce that we have signed up to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office pledge calling for the full and direct incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Irish law. Read more about this pledge here: buff.ly/0UClBzN

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 24/08/2026

Our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne, was on RTE Radio 1 with David McCullagh this morning to discuss how workforce investment is the first step in reducing the number of children on waiting lists. buff.ly/Yreg18i

rte.ie

Up to 46,000 children on waiting lists for early years place due to staffing shortages

Frances Byrne, director of policy at Early Childhood Ireland. Report by our reporter Brian O'Connell.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 24/08/2026

According to Pobal, there are up to 46,000 children under the age of three on waiting lists for an Early Years place. While these figures include families who may have put their children on multiple lists, they still paint a picture of an unsustainable system. buff.ly/apLVOEB #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 24/08/2026

As many Early Years settings begin to reopen after summer break this week, persistent challenges with capacity and the recruitment and retention of staff persist. Read our latest press release to learn more about our asks for #Budget2027. buff.ly/vqLPebA #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 14/08/2026

Look back on our Policy in Action which give an overview of #Budget2027 submissions from: ✅National Women’s Council ✅Social Justice Ireland ✅Society of St Vincent De Paul ✅One Family ✅Children’s Rights Alliance 🔗https://buff.ly/ihgIb3w

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 13/08/2026

📣Why are we calling for pay parity? Despite being educated and trained to the same level as primary school teachers, Early Years graduates are on relatively low pay and poor working conditions. Hear more from our Policy Officer, Ellen Murphy-Jeffers. #EndTheExodus #Budget2027 buff.ly/V99VUg3

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/07/2026

Ahead of #Budget2027 we are calling on the government to: 1️⃣ Name a date to introduce pay parity for Early Years and School Age Care graduates 2️⃣ Double the graduate premium in Core Funding 3️⃣ Invest in 3 in-service days per year for every setting Read more buff.ly/V99VUg3 #EndtheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/07/2026

“By prioritising this essential workforce, the Government has an opportunity to address the biggest issues in the system for employers, parents and critically, for children.” Read our latest press release to learn more about our #Budget2027 submission. buff.ly/h7VChJ7 #EndTheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/07/2026

Today, we launch our #Budget2027 submission, urging the government to End the Exodus of talented Early Years and School Age Care professionals by prioritising the workforce in this year’s Budget. Hear more from our CEO, Teresa Heeney. buff.ly/V99VUg3 #EndtheExodus

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 12/06/2026

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young children? We are hiring a Press Officer to join the Policy Advocacy and campaigning team. Learn more and apply now 👉 buff.ly/GJZFuX3

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 01/06/2026

The OECD recently published the results of their International Early Learning and Child Wellbeing Study (IELS). In part 1 of our analysis, we give look at findings about: 🔎 The importance of the first five years 🔎 How five-year-olds are developing buff.ly/EKPfwPn

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 30/05/2026

Last week marked Traveller Pride Week. In this week's Policy in Action we give an overview of aims and achievements regarding Traveller inclusion in Early Years and School Age Care policies. 🎬 buff.ly/H1rX9TU

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 29/05/2026

We need your help please take part in our short study to understand the barriers and supports to transparent, equitable and inclusive admissions. ✅The survey takes approximately 7 minutes ✅Responses are anonymous 🔗Take part in this study here - buff.ly/d1kAGsO

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/05/2026

🍃 This Wellbeing month why not get back to nature with Eco-Emotions? Through Eco-Emotions, children are encouraged to develop emotional awareness while also developing a deep appreciation for the environment. buff.ly/rl1vrb8

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 20/05/2026

This week is Traveller Pride Week celebrating the rich culture, identity and contributions of the Traveller community and challenging ongoing discrimination. Drawing on our research and real-life examples, this week's blog shares simple, respectful ways to celebrate Traveller Pride. buff.ly/subvQuh

earlychildhoodireland.ie

Celebrate Traveller Pride Week in Early Years and School Age Care - Early Childhood Ireland

Traveller Pride Week highlights Traveller culture, identity and inclusion, encouraging belonging in early years settings.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 25/04/2026

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition recently developed a collaborative research and advocacy programme; Building The Early Education Workforce in England Learn more about key findings and recommendations 🔎 buff.ly/FxfAPGq

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 23/04/2026

New childminding regulations announced in 2024 require all Childminders to register by 2027. At the halfway point to this deadline, registration rates remain low. Our latest Policy in Action looks at progress under the National Childminding Action plan so far 🎬 buff.ly/p4QpaJy

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/04/2026

Earth Day invites us to slow down and reflect on our relationship with the world around us. Our new blog explores how outdoor play supports young children’s emotional wellbeing, helping them feel calm, connected and secure while nurturing a natural sense of care for the Earth. 🌷🔗

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Earth Day: Nurturing Eco-Emotions Through Outdoor Play - Early Childhood Ireland

Discover how slow, meaningful outdoor play nurtures young children’s wellbeing and builds the roots of real sustainability.

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 22/04/2026

Happy World Earth Day 🌍️ Through our Eco-Emotions projects, we offer educators tools they to link environmental learning with young children’s emotional wellbeing. Discover our nature-inspired Self-Regulations cards and resources 🌻 👉

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 18/04/2026

The First 5 is a whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. This week, we published an updated progress report on the commitments made within the strategy in relation to Early Years and School Age Care. 🎬 buff.ly/yLyM7Wq

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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 17/04/2026

In the latest edition of Making the News, we share recent media coverage of: 🗞️ the 2026 Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 🗞️ International Women's Day 🗞️ National Pyjama Day 2026

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Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer - Early Childhood Ireland

We highlight the 2026 Barometer launch, media coverage, policy insights, and continued support for National Pyjama Day.

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