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

📣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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

🍃 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

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 🌻 👉

Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of children? 📣 We are hiring a graduate Communications Assistant who will gain hands-on experience in social and digital media and contribute to the creation of engaging content. Applications close this Friday, 17 April at 5pm: buff.ly/b5YDNhj

Early Childhood Ireland monitors all aspects of current policy commitments and we will continue bring both successes and any lack of progress. This week in Policy in Action, we give a progress update on the Programme for Government. 🎬 buff.ly/FSh3qLe

Last week, we launched our revamped #ECIBarometer2026 at an event in Buswell's Hotel, Dublin. Find out more about who came and key discussion points in this week's Policy in Action. 🎬 buff.ly/7D5eIiR

Yesterday, we were pleased to launch the #ECIBarometer2026 at an event in Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin. We met with members, TDs and Senators from across the country to discuss the findings. Thank you to all TDs and Senators for taking the time to meet with us and our members. buff.ly/1QfcNDM

Year on year, the Barometer has found overwhelming support for accessible Early Years and School Age Care. While the government is taking welcome steps to improve capacity, greater workforce investment is essential to guarantee access for every child. buff.ly/9q3fcoF #ECIBarometer2026

📈 57% of the Irish public do not think that the government is doing enough to address the shortage of Early Years waiting lists nationwide, according to the Early Childhood Ireland 2026 Barometer launched today. Read more in our press release – buff.ly/Q9ZkFH8 #ECIBarometer2026

This year’s Early Childhood Barometer reflects a nation that desires change. The message from the public is clear, Ireland needs a system that meets the needs of children, families and educators. Hear more from our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne. buff.ly/yffMoD9 #ECIBarometer2026

Tomorrow, we are launching our ninth annual Barometer which tracks public attitudes to Early Years and School Age Care in Ireland. Since our first poll in 2018, there has been consistent support for accessible, high quality Early Years and School Age Care for every child. #ECIBarometer2026

A busy policy week has come to an end! We were pleased to meet with members of @fine-gael.bsky.social this week to discuss the next steps in the National Action Plan for Childminding. 📝 This was an opportune time to share key findings and recommendations from our recent research on Childminding.

Yesterday, our Director of Policy, Frances Byrne, addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality to discuss plans to deliver State-led settings and other issues facing the Early Years and School Age Care system. We thank the committee for this opportunity.

In the latest podcast, we are joined by Dr Colette Murray from Technical University, Dublin, to discuss findings from Early Childhood Ireland's 'From Rhetoric to Reality' research conducted in 2025. buff.ly/ecCtfsj

Happy National Pyjama Day! 🎉 Today, over 55,000 children will wear their favourite pyjamas to their Early Years and School Age Care settings for a fun-filled day of teddy bear picnics, games, and activities, all to raise essential funds for charity. Read more 📰 buff.ly/27pZMpX

There is just 1 day to go until National Pyjama Day 2026! 🦥 This much-loved event invites children and their educators to wear their cosiest PJs for a day filled with fun and laughter all in the spirit of children helping children. Donations can be made at: buff.ly/i3soT5f

Just one week to go until National Pyjama Day 2026! Almost 55,000 children are getting ready to take part in their cosiest pyjamas, all in support of LauraLynn and Early Childhood Ireland's Eco-Emotions project. Donate now🧸✨https://buff.ly/i3soT5f

National Pyjama Day is a favourite day on the calendar for children and educators nationwide. Rebecca Candon, LauraLynn, and Lorraine Diggins, Early Childhood Ireland, recently joined the podcast to share how funds raised will support children and families across Ireland. 🎧 buff.ly/FuxaCva

Get your PJs Ready 💤 Just over 2 weeks to go and we have just hit 50,000 registrations for National Pyjama Day! Funds raised this year will go towards supporting LauraLynn's services and our Eco-Emotions project. Donate here: buff.ly/2kNsGdh

It was recently announced that the Government has approved a programme of State-funded Early Years and School Age Care settings. This week in Policy in Action, we give an overview of what we know so far. 🎬 buff.ly/HW7qSxE

This week in Policy in Focus, we analyse a new report on the Early Years and School Age Care workforce in the UK. This report highlights the need to ensure the workforce are prioritised and that pay and working conditions reflect the importance of this workforce are achieved. 🔎 buff.ly/CW0fMLL

Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan, was published in December 2025, setting out the government’s implementation plan for increased affordability, quality and access to early years education in Ireland. Read our summary of what is laid out in this plan 🎬 👇 buff.ly/nn3qMhX