Early Childhood Ireland's Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Small moments of connection with plants, animals, and local habitats can inspire a lifelong appreciation for biodiversity and conservation.

 In conversation with Mark Nolan from Biodiversity in Schools and Lorraine Diggins, Early Childhood Specialist at Early Childhood Ireland, we explore how we can deepen our connection with nature, support biodiversity, and strengthen conservation efforts in early years settings.

We will consider how meaningful experiences in nature help children develop a sense of belonging, curiosity, and responsibility for the environment, fostering lifelong connections with the rich biodiversity that surrounds them. 

The learning environment has a profound influence on how babies, toddlers and young children feel and learn when it provides for different types of súgradh (play) and hands on experiences and interactions- Principles, Aistear (2024)

Send us Fan Mail

In early childhood care and education, we often talk about the importance of partnerships with parents, but what does a genuine partnership actually look like in practice?

In this episode, Racheal Govan, Managing Director of Footprints Early Years and Claire Butterly, National Coordinator LINC programme, share their perspectives and insights on:

·         What do we mean by genuine partnerships

·         Why relationships matter

·         Open door policies in practice 

·         Overcoming barriers to engagement and

·         Practical strategies for building strong partnerships.

Building partnerships with families is key to supporting the learning and development of each baby, toddler and young child.

Tógann sé meitheal chun leanbh a thógái. 

It takes a village to raise a child.

Send us Fan Mail

Aistear (2024) reminds us that every baby, toddler and young child develops at their own pace and in their own unique way. A slow relational pedagogy offers a thoughtful approach to supporting this development—one that prioritises time, deep listening, attunement and, most importantly, nurturing meaningful relationships.

In this episode, we are joined by Adele Evans, an experienced and passionate Early Years professional. Adele shares her insights and reflections on embedding a slow relational approach in practice, following her participation in the Time for Nurturing Connections CPD programme. Together, we explore the power of slowing down, being present, and building responsive, trusting relationships that truly support children’s learning and wellbeing.

Send us Fan Mail

A core aspect of the work of Early Childhood Ireland over the past number of years has been Childminding. We led the Erasmus programme, Qual FDC in 2023, a European based project which focused on quality in family day care (as Childminding is often referred to). In 2024 we conducted a literature review, with Stranmillis College in Belfast, into the existing research on Childminding and regular listeners may have heard a previous episode discussing that piece of work, linked below.  In 2025, we conducted two more research projects, funded by the DCDE, into aspects of childminding and that is what we are going to hear about today. To tell us about the policy context methodologies and findings we were joined by Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland and by Liz Kerrins, Research Director, at Early Childhood Ireland. 

Podcast episode: Childminding: Exploring the research literature, with Dr Suzanne McCartney and Liz Kerrins 

Scéalta blog: Childminding in Denmark  

Send us Fan Mail

Our guest today is Dr. Colette Murray, from Technical University, Dublin who was an advisor on the From Rhetoric to Reality research Early Childhood Ireland conducted in 2025. In this research we wanted to investigate the inclusiveness of Irish ECE settings for members of the Traveller community, focusing on young Traveller children’s perspectives and experiences of inclusion in their preschools. Colette speaks about the importance of this work and how support is needed at systemic and setting level to ensure that all children feel a sense of belonging in their Early Years setting. You can find the report here 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode we are going to look at one of the really significant benefits of the group insurance scheme available to Early Childhood Ireland members, through Arachas Insurance. To explain the benefits available through the group insurance scheme we are really pleased to be joined by Brendan Little and Paula Walshe from ARAG, who work with Arachas to provide a range of Legal, HR and Counselling supports. Arachas policyholders, on the Group Scheme, can contact the services outlined by phoning  01-6707470

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode we are joined by Superintendent Niall Featherstone and Inspector Marisa Costello, from the Garda National Vetting Bureau to discuss the legislative basis for Garda Vetting, the importance of correct validation of identity and some misconceptions that can arise.   

Send us Fan Mail

National Pyjama Day, brought to you by Early Childhood Ireland is a favourite day on the calendar for children and educators all over the country. This year marks the 22nd National Pyjama Day and funds raised will support LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's hospice and will continue to support the Early Childhood Ireland member projects Eco- Emotions. For this special episode of the podcast we are joined by Rebecca Candon, Family Support Team Manager at LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice and by Lorraine Diggins, Early Childhood Specialist at Early Childhood Ireland and project lead on the Eco-Emotions project. 

Send us Fan Mail

Aistear (2024) includes, as a Principle, the concept of the Agentic Educator. In this episode, Grainne McKenna, from Dublin City University outlines her thoughts on this concept and explores links to the 'Self-Efficacy' theories of Albert Bandura. She also mentioned the literature review commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment as part of the process of updating Aistear, which you can find here.  

Grainne also refers to a journal article called Turn-over and Retention Among Head-Start Educators (Vicente et al 2025) and that is linked here. 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode we return to the topic of children's rights, participation and safeguarding. We were delighted to be joined by Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance. We discuss the areas in which Ireland is performing well in relation to children's rights and the areas in which improvements are needed.

We touch on how slow relational pedagogy as outlined in Aistear 2024 plays a key role in educators being able to hear the many ways in which children express themselves. Finally, Tanya shares the three key areas where significant progress needs to be made to ensure that all children in Ireland have their rights respected.