We had a great day supporting this year’s National Pyjama Day. Run by Early Childhood Ireland, it’s a great opportunity to support some amazing charities and this year all funds will go towards three children’s charities, each supporting children under 6 years of age with additional needs. The children had a great day and here’s some pics from Glen, Ray and Letterkenny…..
We really enjoyed our night at the Early Childhood Ireland ‘Play on the Brain Conference’ in Dublin last weekend. It was great to meet so many other childcare professionals around Ireland and it was lovely to catch up with old friends.
We were thrilled that the Glen Outdoor School won two learning stories’ awards, as well as an overall award on the night. It really was the icing on the cake.
The conference was also very useful in terms of discussing key issues affecting our profession including commercial rates and VAT, ECCE issues, inspection processes, support for children with additional needs, as well as issues around recognising the childcare sector as a profession with appropriate pay and conditions.
Congratulations to all our staff and to the parents and children who support us. We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help and it really is a great team effort.
We’re very excited about the upcoming Early Childhood Ireland ‘Play on the Brain’ conference which is being held this weekend, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April at the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin. The two day event will involve over 40 inspirational early years’ practitioners and practices from around the country and will recognise the positive impact they have on children and families. The awards will be presented by Nóirín Hayes, visiting Professor at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin and our very own Glen Outdoor School team will receive two ‘Learning Stories’ awards. We are also in the running to receive an ‘Overall’ award at the conference.
The first award is in recognition of The Glen Outdoor School “Enormous Turnip” activity. The activity takes places in autumn, the same time as harvest season and the children re-enacted The Enormous Turnip story so they could harvest their own pumpkin. The children put so much effort into it and they had to pull and transport the pumpkin. Parents often ask, how will we do all this and we reply, the Glenswilly way….
The second award, which has been shortlisted for the overall award, is in recognition of “Our Christmas Play”. The children gathered their ideas of what they’d like their Christmas play to look like and then went around and gathered up all natural, outdoor materials to create their stage and setting. It was truly wonderful to watch children use their imagination and create something brilliant from the materials that surrounded them. They’re hoping to have something very special for next year too.
Early Childhood Ireland represents over 3,500 childcare professional members who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, afterschool and full day-care provision nationwide. We’re honoured to be recognised in this way and we look forward to a great night on Friday. For more information on the awards and Early Childhood Ireland contact Carmel Doyle 087 247 3537.
