Making the News: Time for Nurturing Connections

In April, Early Childhood Ireland engaged with local media to promote the Time for Nurturing Connections programme, highlighting its role in leadership and the ongoing professionalisation of the workforce. The programme is funded by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland. There was also continued coverage for the Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 2026.

April highlights

Throughout April, Early Childhood Ireland was mentioned in 22 pieces of coverage across national and regional media, including 10 print, 7 online and 5 broadcast mentions.

Local media coverage was particularly strong with coverage highlighting the Time for Nurturing Connections project as well as members and local TDs who attended the Barometer launch event in late March.

Time for Nurturing Connections

This year, supported by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland launched a new CPD programme for educators – Time for Nurturing Connections, a unique professional development journey designed to enrich Early Years and School Age Care settings’ practice and support children’s wellbeing.

The programme provides high-quality, evidence-based training focused on building nurturing, responsive relationships that support children’s emotional development, resilience, social confidence and a sense of belonging.

In April, we held a masterclass with educators from all 16 participating settings. The local press releases highlighted the participating settings and the importance of the programme in supporting educators as well as promoting the ongoing professionalisation of the Early Years and School Age Care workforce. We were pleased to see coverage in Mayo Live, Donegal News and on Galway Bay FM, among others. A new e-learning programme based on Slow Relational Pedagogy will be available during the summer for Early Childhood Ireland members.

Barometer 2026

Following the launch of this year’s Early Childhood Ireland Barometer in March, we continued to receive coverage highlighting the need for greater investment in the Early Years and School Age Care workforce as a first step in alleviating waiting lists for services.

This year’s Barometer found that 55% of adults agreeing that Early Years graduates, whose degrees are aligned with teaching qualifications, should have the same terms and conditions as primary school teachers. Meanwhile, support for direct government payment of wages for Early Years educators has increased, rising from 49% in 2025 to 54% in 2026.

Coverage highlights included the Finn Valley Voice, Enniscorthy Guardian, Northside People.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or would like to engage with Early Childhood Ireland’s media team, please contact us at [email protected]

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