Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day is the largest one-day fundraising event organised by the Early Years and School Age Care sector in Ireland. Now in its 19^th year, the event has raised more than €3.7 million for charities that support children with additional needs.

Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day 2022 takes place on Friday, 18 November 2022. Our motto is “Children helping Children and having fun!”

It’s very simple. Children and staff at Early Years and School Age Care settings all across Ireland are sponsored to wear their pyjamas all day on Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day. This is when the magic happens – children take part in den making, playful pillow fights, PJ picnics, bear hunts, storytelling, nursery rhymes and many other activities. Importantly, these activities are also an opportunity for settings to highlight the play-based, child-centred Early Years curriculum, which underpins practice and nurtures children at this vital time in their young lives.

We asked you, our members, to select our charity partner, which can help us achieve this tangible change in the lives of children with additional needs. We are also collaborating with the Community Foundation for Ireland to ensure the final selection of our National Pyjama Day partner will deliver the greatest impact for children with additional needs, at the best value for money, in line with governance and accountability standards.

Early Childhood Ireland is supported by the Community Foundation of Ireland in the assessment and administration of grants. 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.

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

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

All grants benefited a range of projects undertaken by these charities, each of which supported babies and young children and their families.

If you register for Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day and receive our fundraising materials,  you cannot raise funds for a charity of your choice. All donations raised for National Pyjama Day are raised for Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Fund. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

You can register to take part by clicking here.
Alternatively, you can call our office on 01 405 7100 and we will be happy to get you registered over the phone.

Once you have registered for the event, you will receive an email confirming you’re signed up to take part. Your fundraising materials will follow, either by post or email depending on whether you opt for a physical or digital pack while registering.

All members of Early Childhood Ireland can register to take part in National Pyjama Day. Members of the public who wish to support the event and raise funds for babies and young children can make a donation via the Early Childhood Ireland website.

If you have registered your setting but can no longer take part in National Pyjama Day 2022, please email nationalpyjamaday@earlychildhoodireland.ie. Alternatively, you can call (01) 405 7100 to let the team know.

• We have listened to your feedback and appreciate that many of you would like to be more environmentally friendly. When registering to take part in National Pyjama Day 2022, you will be asked to choose whether you would like to receive a physical pack or a digital pack. The contents are very similar. The physical pack will include:
  • Information leaflet about the event
  • Two posters for your setting
  • A sticker for each child
  • A sponsorship envelope for each child
  • A copy of our 2022 book, ‘Adventures in Dreamland’
  • A link to some specially-developed video content of fun activities to celebrate National Pyjama Day

The digital pack will have links to printable versions of all materials, with the exception of stickers. Please note that for safety and environmental reasons, we have decided not to include balloons in this years’ fundraising pack.

• • Please allow 10 working days for your pack to reach you.

Please contact us on (01) 405 7100 and one of the team will follow up for you. Alternatively, please email nationalpyjamaday@earlychildhoodireland.ie and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

We cannot guarantee that we can get extra materials to you on time, however we will try our absolute best to accommodate your request. Give us a call on (01) 405 7100 or email nationalpyjamaday@earlychildhoodireland.ie

Alternatively, you can download materials from our website.

The easiest and preferred method of payment is to use your setting’s unique online donation link. If you are using an EFT, don’t forget to use your membership number as the reference to ensure you receive an accurate certificate.

Yes, you absolutely can! Friday, 18 November 2022 is the official day for National Pyjama Day events. However, if you need to hold your event on another day that is more convenient, that’s fine. Please note that all funds raised as part of National Pyjama Day must be returned to Early Childhood Ireland for disbursement via the Community Foundation for Ireland.