Early Childhood Ireland's Podcast
Episodes
Children's Rights in Ireland, with Tanya Ward
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we return to the topic of children's rights, participation and safeguarding. We were delighted to be joined by Tany...
Enhancing Leadership Practices, with Siobhán Barrett and Dr Christina Egan Marnell
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss a recent CPD programme we developed in Early Childhood Ireland with a group of educators, called Enhancing Le...
Aistear SĂolta Practice Guide with Lorraine Farrell
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn light of the Updated Aistear in 2024, the Aistear SĂolta Practice Guide has also been updated to reflect the changes made to the Ais...
Name the Date, with Frances Byrne
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to announce on Budget Day a date for bringing Early Years and School Age Care gradu...
Valuing Childhood, with Wendy Lee
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a very special episode, to mark the very special milestone of our 100 episode, we were delighted to have a wide-ranging conversation ...
Taking part in TIME with Claire Walsh and Marsela Vangjeli
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this week’s episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast Taking Part in TIME, we hear from Claire Walsh and Marsela Vangjeli, bot...
Remembering Carla Rinaldi, with Milica Atanackovic
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMembers and regular listeners know that the work of Early Childhood Ireland is influenced and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. In...
Choose Play - Every Day, with Dr Aaron Bradbury
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe were delighted to chat with Dr Aaron Bradbury from Nottingham Trent University in the UK. Aaron recently edited a document called Pla...
Exploring TIME, with Dr Christina Egan Marnell
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Childhood Ireland is delighted to introduce a brand new member CPD resource called TIME: Thriving through Interactions and Meaning...
Consulting with Children, with Prof. Deirdre Horgan
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat does consulting with children mean, how do we do this? In this episode Prof Deirdre Horgan from University College Cork takes us th...
Updated Aistear in Practice, with Valerie Gaynor
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we talk to Valerie Gaynor, Manager of Creative Kids and Co in Dublin, who participated in the NCCA's Updating Aistear Dev...
Updated Aistear: Sustainability, with Dr Marlene McCormack
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textToday, 22 April is World Earth Day. To mark this important day we were delighted to chat about the enhanced focus on Sustainability in t...
Early Childhood Ireland - Group Insurance Scheme, with Grahame Brown
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis week we chat with Grahame Brown, Account Director at Arachas Insurance. Grahame takes us through what a Group Insurance scheme is a...
Updated Aistear: Principles, with Fiona Kelleher
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a new series of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast, we are exploring the recently Updated Aistear. In this episode, Fiona Kellehe...
Women Shaping the Future, with Sheila Nunan and Teresa Heeney
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a special episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast to celebrate International Women's Day we invited the Chair and the ...
Barometer 2025, with Frances Byrne
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the podcast, we delve into the findings of the eighth annual Barometer, with Director of Policy Frances Byrne. This o...
Eco-Emotions Update, with Milica Atanackovic
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThis episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast provides an update on the Eco-Emotions suite of materials and resources. Guest, M...
Aistear, Updated, with Dr Sharon Skehill
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework has been updated. In this episode we chat to Dr Sharon Skehill from the NCCA about som...
A Look Back at General Election 2024 with Frances Byrne and Emily Clarke
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFor our first episode of 2025, and as the final stages of government formation are taking place, we chatted with Frances Byrne and Emily...
Ensuring Child Safeguarding, with Laura Dagger
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we are delighted to be joined by Laura Dagger, from the National Child Safeguarding Office. She discusses the legal resp...
Eco-Emotions in Action, with Johanna Davis and Mary-Ellen O'Sullivan
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we have a conversation with two passionate educators about children thriving outside in nature. Johanna Davis and Mary-E...
Eco-Emotions: Exploring the research, with Muireann Ranta
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textMuireann Ranta, from the South East Technological University joins us for this episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast. We dis...
Introducing Eco-Emotions, with Milica Atanackovic
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Childhood Ireland is delighted to have launched our newest member resource, called Eco-Emotions, funded by National Pyjama Day. In...
Childminding: Exploring the research literature, with Dr Suzanne McCartney and Liz Kerrins
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss the findings and implications of the recent research carried out by Stranmillis University College on behalf ...
4 Asks for Children; Budget 2025 with Frances Byrne
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this, the first episode of our new season, we tease out the 4 Asks for Children to Elevate Early Years and School Age Care to the Sta...
Inclusion and children's rights, with Prof. Emer Ring
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the final episode of the series shining a light on children's rights, we chat with Prof. Emer Ring, Dean of Education at Mary Im...
Global Citizen Education, with Dr Sheila Long
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textContinuing our series on Children's Rights, in this week's episode we talk to Dr Sheila Long, from South East Technological Un...
Play: a fundamental right, with Prof. NĂłirĂn Hayes
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textTuesday, 11 June 2024 has been designated as International Day of Play, recognising and celebrating that play is a fundamental right f...
Exploring Children's Rights, with Prof. NĂłirĂn Hayes
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this new series of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, which focusses on Children’s Rights, we are delighted to be joined by Prof....
OWLET: your questions answered, with Dr Christina Egan Marnell
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the fourth and final episode of the OWLET series of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast we ask our Early Childhood Specialist, DR Chr...
Using the OWLET lullabies, with Mairéad Gallagher
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this week's episode of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast Mairéad Gallagher, music teacher and director of Wriggletto discu...
Music: a universal language, with Leah Ahern de Leastar
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast this week we chat to Leah Ahern de Leastar, Early Years educator and lecturer about music. We dis...
Introducing OWLET, with Dr Christina Egan Marnell and Maria Cleary
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we chat with Dr Christina Egan Marnell and Maria Cleary from Early Childhood Ireland about our beautiful new member reso...
Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 2024, with Frances Byrne
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of our podcast we chat with Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland. We tease out the findings of E...
What is Practitioner Inquiry, with Dr Lynn J McNair and Kathleen Tuite
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast Dr Lynn J McNair, from the University of Edinburgh and Kathleen Tuite from Early ...
My experience of introducing real tools, with DairĂona NĂ MhuirĂ
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this final episode of our Delving into Adventurous Play series, Early Childhood Ireland member DairĂona NĂ MhuirĂ outlines her app...
Using real tools to support Adventurous Play, with Niki Buchan
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of our Delving into Adventurous Play series, Niki Buchan Educational Consultant at Natural Learning Educational Consulta...
What is Adventurous Play, with Chloe Keegan
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this first episode of a new series, Delving into Adventurous Play, Chloe Keegan, from Early Childhood Ireland discusses what adventur...
From Mutilingulaism to Plurilingualism, with Liz Kerrins and Dr Francesca La Morgia
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOur World of Languages: Episode threeIn this episode Liz Kerrins, from Early Childhood Ireland and Dr Francesca La Morgia, from Mother T...
Valuing Multilingualism with School Age children, with Suzanne McCarthy
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOur World of Languages: Episode twoIn episode two of this series looking at multilingualism, Suzanne McCarthy, Education Officer at Moth...
Valuing Multilingualism with young children, with Dr Christina Egan Marnell
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textOur World of Languages: Episode one  In this first episode of a series where we will explore multilingualism, we talk to Dr Christina E...
Exploring EECERA 2023, with Fiona Kelleher
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode Fiona Kelleher, from Early Childhood Ireland speaks to us about the European Early Childhood Education Research Associat...
Updating Aistear, with Dr Sharon Skehill
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework was initially launched in 2009. Much has changed in the Early Years sector since then....
Meet the Members
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs part of our strategic policy work, we were delighted to host a Meet the Members event this Thursday, 5 October, where a group of Earl...
Elevate Wellbeing, with Gillian Moore
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we delve into the new suite of courses, called Elevate, on Early Childhood Ireland’s Learning Hub. Most of our members...
Putting children at the heart of Early Years and School Age Care in Ireland, with Frances Byrne
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEvery year, around this time organisations like Early Childhood Ireland make submissions to government in advance of the Budget announce...
Outdoor Play: Practical ideas with Chloe Keegan
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this, the final episode of the current series on outdoor play, Chloe Keegan, from Early Childhood Ireland talks about her visits to s...
Valuing Outdoor Play: Conference Proceedings, with Frances Byrne
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, Frances Byrne, from Early Childhood Ireland discusses the events at our Valuing ...
Outdoor Play at Free Range Kids, with Jo Flinn
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of our series about outdoor play, Jo Flinn outlines her approach to outdoor play and the experiences and opportunities f...
Outdoor Play at Horizons Montessori, with Lee Herlihy
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn episode two of this series of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast series on outdoor play, we talk to Lee Herlihy, from Horizons Mo...
Valuing Outdoor Play, with Liz Kerrins
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the new series of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast we are exploring outdoor play. In this episode, Liz Kerrins, Director of Res...
What Works and This is me! With Maria Cleary and Milica Atanackovic
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Maria Cleary and Milica Atanackovic from Early Childhood Ireland chat to Máire Corbett about the What Works Sharing Kn...
Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 2023, with Frances Byrne
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of our podcast we chat with Frances Byrne, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigning at Early Childhood Ireland. We t...
International Women's Day special episode, with Teresa Heeney
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textTo mark International Women's Day, the Irish Examiner published it's 100 women of 2023. Early Childhood Ireland CEO Teresa Hee...
Reggio Emilia: your questions answered, with Milica Atanackovic
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textBringing our current series on the Reggio Emilia approach to a close, in this episode we feature a discussion with Milica Atanackovic, M...
Our image of the child and the Reggio Emilia philosophy, with Dr Rita Melia
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn episode three of our series about the ethos and philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, Dr Rita Melia, from the Atlantic Technologi...
Experiencing Reggio Emilia, with Orlagh Doyle and Anne Warren
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textContinuing our Reggio Emilia series, in this episode Orlagh Doyle, from Carraig Briste and Killegney, in Wexford, and Anne Warren, from ...
Exploring Reggio Emilia, with Milica Atanackovic
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education is renowned worldwide. In this series, we explore an approach that has at its ...
Communicating through creativity with Liz Smith
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this final episode of the Communicating series of Early Childhood Ireland's podcast, Liz Smith, Creative social inclusion and ...
Communicating through music, with Jackie Maguire
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textContinuing the Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast series on Communicating, in this episode, Máire Corbett has a conversation with Jack...
Communicating multilingually with Dr Francesca La Morgia
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of the Communicating series, Dr Francesca La Morgia, from Mother Tongues, discusses how we create an environment that we...
Playing with STEAM, with Sandra O'Neill
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode from our STEAM series, Sandra O’Neill, from Dublin City University discusses what STEAM means in early childhood, outl...
Communicating through storytelling, with Cliodhna Noonan
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this series of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, we are looking at Communicating. We are familiar with the Reggio Emilia term The ...
Action research in action with Dr Leah O’Toole and Sylwia O’Rourke
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the final episode of this series Dr Leah O’Toole, Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Froebel Department of Pri...
Research and Policy in Early Childhood Ireland with Jacinta Sheerin and Milica Atanackovic
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn episode 2 of this series, we chat with Jacinta Sheerin, Director of Membership, Excellence and Learning and Milica Atanackovic, Mem...
Early Childhood Ireland’s Budget 2023 Submission: Time for Transformation with Frances Byrne
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Childhood Ireland’s podcast is back for a new season, with a new sponsor, Arachas Insurance. This series focuses on aspects of p...
Ensuring wellbeing with Catherine Maguire
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode we discuss how to support the development of secure mental health for children and also the importance of relationships ...
Wellbeing and trauma with Sharon Byrne
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this second episode of our series on Wellbeing, we chat with Sharon Byrne from Barnardos about how trauma can impact on children’s ...
Moving for wellbeing with Christina Duff
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, we are joined by Christina Duff, who is a children and young people’s physical activity, health and play specialist. ...
How conceptual play worlds support children's STEAM learning: part 2 - with Prof. Marilyn Fleer
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn a continuation from the first part of our chat with Prof. Marilyn Fleer, from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, we move on to ...
How conceptual play worlds support children’s STEAM learning: part 1 - with Prof. Marilyn Fleer
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWe asked Professor Marilyn Fleer, from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia to chat with us about how conceptual play worlds suppor...
Exploring STEAM: Budding scientists and engineers, with Nicola O'Reilly
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode Nicola O’Reilly discusses why and how young children’s curious and inquisitive minds need to be enabled and encourag...
BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning, with Dr Leah O'Toole
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs the CAO deadline approaches on May 1, in this special edition of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast we talk to Dr Leah O’Toole who...
Introducing technology to children, with Eilish Balfe
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode, Early Years educator and setting manager, Eilish Balfe describes how COVID-19 was the catalyst for her doing a complete...
Early Childhood Ireland's Barometer, with Frances Byrne
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Childhood Ireland recently released the 2022Â Barometer. This is the 5th Barometer published by Early Childhood Ireland. In this ...
Supporting Inclusion, with Shirley Heaney
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this final episode of the series focusing on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion we talk to Shirley Heaney, National Coordinator of the...
The INCO as a warrior, with Maxine Ryan
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn Episode 3 Maxine Ryan, winner of the 2020 Leader for Inclusion award talks about her experience of being an INCO in her setting, how ...
Relationships matter for inclusion, with Nickola Cullen
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEpisode 2In episode 2 Relationships matter for inclusion, Nickola Cullen, winner of the 2021 Leader for Inclusion award takes us through...
Why being nice is not enough, with Dr Colette Murray
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this first series of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast for 2022, we look at the importance of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in ...
Early Childhood Ireland’s Podcast - Wrapping up 2021
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs we come to the end of the first full year of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, Milica Atanackovic, Research and Professional Learn...
Valuing Staff, with Gillian Moore
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAs we approach the end of a year that can only be described as bizarre and with much uncertainty still regarding COVID-19, we look at ho...
Ensuring children’s participation in a democratic setting, with Joanie Barron
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this final episode of this series Joanie Barron, from Wallaroo Playschool takes us through the approach her setting has to ensure ind...
Meaningful participation for young children with Sharon Skehill
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textContinuing our series on Children’s Participation, Sharon Skehill, from Newtown Kids' Club: Willows and Nursery outdoor settings,...
Children’s participation in their food and nutrition, with Cathy Steenson and Breifnà Cusack
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFollowing on from the last episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast looking at enable children’s participation in decision-makin...
Exploring the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making, with Prof Laura Lundy and Anne O'Donnell
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWelcome back to a new season of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast. In the first episode of this new season, we have a bumper edition, ...
Getting transitions right -Episode 3 TRAP- Enhancing transition practices in ECEC, with Milica Atanackovic and Fiona Kelleher
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn the third and final episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast series relating to Transitions, Milica Atanackovic and Fiona Kelle...
Getting transitions right - Episode 2: Transitions in practice, with Kathleen Cash and Lorraine Cash
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn episode 2 of this series about Transitions, Kathleen Cash and Lorraine Cash from Tir na nÓg, in Co. Kildare, winners of the 2020 Ear...
Getting Transitions right - Episode 1: Roles, relationships and change, with Dr Derek Grant
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAt this time of year, our thoughts turn to move on, as children leave our ECCE settings and they start to get excited about Big School i...
The Power of Learning Stories - Partnership with Parents, with Rebecca Kelly
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn Early Childhood Ireland's podcast this week Rebecca Kelly, winner of the 2020 Partnership with Families Innovation Award talks a...
The Power of Learning Stories - Inspiring Practice, with Dr Judith Butler
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDr Judith Butler is the guest this week on Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast. In this episode she discusses the importance of relation...
The Power of Learning Stories - More than Words, with Audrey Fagan
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLearning Stories capture and make visible children's knowledge, skills and dispositions. In this series of Early Childhood Ireland&...
Covid-19: a year on, with Orlagh Doyle
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn our 2 March episodes we marked the anniversary of COVID-19 arriving in Ireland, by looking at the impacts the pandemic has had on chi...
Valuing Parents and Families, with Debbie Mullen
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, Early Childhood Specialist Debbie Mullen discusses the importance of parents bei...
What COVID-19 has meant for autistic children and their families, with Fiona Ferris
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this series of Early Childhood Ireland’s podcast, we take a look at COVID-19 a year on, with 2 episodes looking at the impacts of t...
Creativity Rocks, with Milica Atanackovic
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textAistear encourages early childhood educators to see children as creative and to support children to be creative in their exploring, thin...
Mind Yourself, with Gillian Moore
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn this episode of Early Childhood Ireland’s Podcast, Gillian Moore, Early Years Employer Service Manager discusses how important it i...
Podogogy - Pedagogy in a Pod, with Valerie Gaynor
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEarly Learning and Care settings were the first part of the education sector to reopen as restrictions started to ease post lockdown; ma...
Budget 2021, with Frances Byrne
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textFrances is the Director of Policy and Advocacy in Early Childhood Ireland and has a huge passion for keeping the needs and interests of ...
Self regulation - it starts with us, with Catherine McHugh
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textCatherine McHugh discusses concepts of self-regulation with Máire Corbett. Catherine uses the concepts of mindfulness and self-regulati...
Outdoors - A Deeper Appreciation, with Carol Duffy
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIn episode one Outdoors - A Deeper Appreciation, Carol Duffy, Early Childhood Specialist shares her thoughts on the value and importance...