The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast

By Paula Walshe & Celine Govern

Sharing ideas and knowledge on all things to do with early childhood education, quality and professional practice in ECEC in Ireland and beyond.

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· Education

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FAQs about The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast:

How many episodes does The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.

The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast episodes:

February 20, 2026 S6Ep3: Erasmus in Norway
We are joined by Eileanóir Malone, an ECEC student educator who tells us all about her experience on Erasmus. She visited Norway and engaged in placement in a Norwegian ECEC setting. We always hear about how the Norwegian approach is the way to go in terms of best practice...but what is it really like? Hear all about it from a student who has experienced it, what did she learn, how did it influence studies and her professional practice and how are we measuring up in Ireland in comparison?
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1h 1min
December 12, 2025 S6Ep2: Early Literacy, eTwinning and Nativity Plays
In this episode we chat about the importance of early literacy and Celine's trip to a literacy conference, Paula's experience at an eTwinning seminar in Cyprus for promoting active citizenship in early childhood and the timely topic of nativity plays in early childhood settings at Christmas...do we do them or not?
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1h 8min
October 24, 2025 S6Ep1: Changes - New Aistear, New Pay, New Department
In this first episode of Season 6 we catch up on all the changes affecting ECEC in Ireland over the last few months. A newly updated Aistear curriculum framework is live, new ERO mandatory pay rates for educators and a new government department and minister. Celine has opened 2 more ECEC settings bringing her total to 5 and Paula is heading to Cyprus on an eTwinning trip and to Brussels to fly the flag for STEM/STEAM in ECEC. So much to talk about! Listen in and share. It's going to be a great season!
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44min
June 16, 2025 S5Ep9: Poo and the Loo - Potty training for preschool
All things poo and potty training for starting preschool! In this super interesting episode we delve into the world of poo and potty training with registered nurse Ann Costigan of 'Poo and the Loo' on Instagram. Ann shares a wealth of professional and practical knowledge about the right time to potty train, if we should use pull ups or not, her top tips for successful potty training and what to do if your child is constipated or having difficulty pooing. This podcast episode is sure to be of great interest to parents/caregivers and early childhood educators alike in anticipation of potty training children in advance of starting their preschool year in September.
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57min
April 04, 2025 S5Ep8: Fergus Finlay - Former CEO of Barnardos Ireland
We chat with Fergus Finlay, former CEO of Barnardos Ireland and columnist with the Irish Examiner about a vast array of topics including diversity, equity and inclusion, the importance of early intervention and investing in quality early childhood education. Fergus gives us insight into his homemade brown bread and we also ask him if he might consider running in the upcoming Presidential election later in 2025.
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1h 9min
March 13, 2025 S5Ep7: Roderic O'Gorman on Early Childhood Education
Current Leader of the Green Party and former Minister for the DCEDIY, Roderic O'Gorman TD joins us on the podcast! We have a great discussion with Roderic about his time as the Minister of the Department with responsibility for the ECEC sector and his early childhood experiences which shaped him as a future member and leader of the Green Party. We also ask Roderic some important questions about recent issues impacting the ECEC sector such as professionalisation and terminology, funding, plans for a public system and the change of the sector name from ECEC to ELC. This was such an insightful and interesting chat.......we hope you enjoy it!
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40min
February 28, 2025 S5Ep6: Inspection - The EY Education Focused Inspection
In this episode we discuss the call that makes all educators nervous - the notification of the inspection calling. We discuss the education focused inspection carried out by the Department of Education and we go through the EYEI inspection guideline document. We finish up with some practical tips and key takeaways which feedback from recent inspections have highlighted as important for you to consider in your practice.
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54min
January 31, 2025 S5Ep5: Quality School Aged-Childcare and the Importance of Play
We chat with Shelly McGee who is the Quality Support Specialist for School-Aged-Childcare and Play with National Childhood Network (NCN). We discuss what school-aged childcare and afterschool care is, how to support quality and play for children in SAC and how to ensure that children in SAC are supported, valued and their voice is heard.
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40min
December 10, 2024 S5Ep4: New Aistear! - An Analysis of the new ECEC Framework
On 5th of December 2024 the eagerly awaited updated version of Aistear, the early childhood curriculum framework in Ireland, was published online by the NCCA. In this episode, we discuss the main changes to the new framework and whether or not the updates are a 'big tick' for us or not. Have a listen and find out what we think.
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44min
November 01, 2024 S5Ep3: Bridging the Gap Between Research and ECEC Practice in Germany
We chat with Sarah Girlich about ECEC in Germany and the LaKoS project where researchers and ECEC educators in Saxony collaborate in the area of early literacy to develop resources, training and other supports for evidence based ECEC practice in an effort to bridge the gap between academic research and early childhood practice.

The LakoS is a project of the Association for the Promotion of Language and Communication in Education, Prevention and Rehabilitation, funded by the Saxon State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs in cooperation with Prof. Glück, University of Leipzig and the Institute for Language and Rehabilitation Communication. You can explore all of their work and access their resources on early literacy here: LakoS Saxony - State Competence Centre for Language Education & Language Support at Day Care Centres in Saxony LakoS Saxony
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50min

FAQs about The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast:

How many episodes does The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.