National Pyjama Day, brought to you by Early Childhood Ireland

National Pyjama Day, brought to you by Early Childhood Ireland, is the largest one-day fundraising event in the Early Learning and Care and School Age childcare sector in Ireland. Now in its 18th year, the event has to date raised over €3.5 million for charities that support children with additional needs.

This year’s event takes place on Friday 19 November. As you will know, on this day, children and staff nationwide will be sponsored to wear their pyjamas into early years settings. Traditionally, activities such as storytelling, pillow fights, nursery rhymes, and more take place in settings across the country to mark the day.

Whether you and the staff and children in your setting decide to have a healthy breakfast or relax with some favourite books, we encourage participants to make the day as fun-filled and memorable as possible for all involved.

Over 65,000 children in 1,300 settings around Ireland participated in the 2019 National Pyjama Day event. Unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.

The Charity Selection Process

Early Childhood Ireland is supported by the Community Foundation for Ireland in the assessment and administration of grants. Informed by the 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners the Community Foundation for Ireland and its donors will provide over €20 million in grants in 2021, building on the €75 million invested during the past 21-years. Funding is focused on Empowering Generations, Inclusive Communities and Accelerating Change. The mission of the foundation and its donors is equality for all in thriving communities.

This foundation fulfils the role of an independent third party in the grant process. A set of criteria is established for charities that apply for a grant from the PJ Day fund. The Community Foundation assesses applications against these criteria. When the grants are paid out, the Community Foundation ensures that they are properly administered.

Charities that have benefited already from Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day:

• AsIAm
• Chime
• Children in Hospital Ireland
• DeafHear.ie
• Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency (DESSA)
• Down Syndrome Ireland
• Irish Hospice Foundation
• Irish Neonatal Health Alliance
• Make A Wish Foundation
• National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
• Respond Housing Association
• ReCreate Ireland
• Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland
• Temple Street Children’s University Hospital

The three chosen recipient charities for 2021 are:

• Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation
• Children in Hospital Ireland
• AsIAm

The ethos of the day has always been ‘children helping children and having fun.’ This initiative is a source of wonderful fun and enjoyment each year and the day is one that children and staff really look forward to. We are so excited to share this day with settings across the country and hope that you will join us in sharing your support!

Make sure that your setting is part of this wonderful initiative. Registration opens on 27 September

• Register your details when registrations open to receive everything that you need to run your fundraising event.

• Your fundraising pack will be posted to you. This will include, posters & sponsorship envelopes, balloons and stickers for all the children involved.

• The closing date for registration is Friday 12 November 2021.

*Please note that if you are unable to host a Pyjama Day event on Friday 19 November 2021 it is possible to hold your Early Childhood Ireland National Pyjama Day on a day that suits your setting better. Just get in touch and we will be happy to assist you