Press Release: Early Childhood Ireland launches National Pyjama Day 2017

Early Childhood Ireland launches National Pyjama Day 2017 taking place in creches and preschools nationwide on Friday 3^rd March

Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) today (Tuesday 24^th January 2017) announced plans for National Pyjama Day 2017 which will take place in creches and preschools nationwide on Friday 3^rd March, with registration now open here: https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/2017-pyjama-day-registration/

Last year over 1,000 early years settings participated in National Pyjama Day and plans are in place to make the 2017 event just as successful.

The Board of Early Childhood Ireland also used this platform to announce that they have amicably concluded their relationship with Irish Autism Action (IAA). ECI will make a payment to cover the costs of a Behaviour Analyst and other specialised staff within IAA. ECI wishes IAA every success in the future.  The agreement has been sent to the Charities Regulator for approval. Early Childhood Ireland was also pleased to confirm that remaining funds will be used to provide training in 2017 for early years’ educators across the country on supporting children with autism in preschool.  This training will begin mid 2017.

Meanwhile, the Board of Early Childhood Ireland has decided to restructure how National Pyjama Day funds are administered this year.  Building on the terrific response in 2016 and 2015 to support children with autism in early years’ settings, the theme for 2017 will be on supporting children under 6 with additional needs.  What has also changed is that rather than one recipient charity, this year, based on the amount raised, grant amounts of between €40,000 and €100,000 per annum for up to 3 years will be awarded to the three chosen charities and Early Childhood Ireland will be supported by the Community Foundation for Ireland to assess and administer the grants. A number of members of Early Childhood Ireland, all champions of inclusion of children with additional needs, will be involved in selecting the 3 charities before the Summer.

This annual fundraising event, now in its 14^th year, has raised over €2.5 million for children’s charities in Ireland, through a fundraising initiative that is all about children helping children and having fun by wearing their PJs into preschool.  

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