To support compliance with regulations
Managing Unsolicited Information in an early years setting
Tusla has developed an eLearning programme in relation to Unsolicited Information for early learning and care and school-age childcare providers. This course will help you to:
- Understand what Unsolicited Information is.
- Identify how you can prepare, manage and respond if an unsolicited information report has been made to Tusla about your setting.
- Provide information and support the development of a complaints policy and procedure for your setting.
Click here to register and complete the training.
Corrective Actions and Preventative Actions e-learning programme from Tusla
This programme will help you to,
- Understand what a Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) form is.
- Develop a response to a non-compliance using the CAPA process.
- Understand the purpose of the Factual Accuracy Form.
- Develop clear Corrective Actions and Preventative Actions.
Click here to complete the e-learning training programme
Practice supports
Introduction to Children First
Tusla has developed an e-learning programme in relation to supporting people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. This programme covers topics including:
- Recognising and reporting child abuse.
- The role of mandated persons.
- The responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children.
- The role of designated liaison persons.
Learning environments in Early Years
This course from Barnardos is designed to help you to provide quality environments for the children you work with. This course will help you understand:
- Environmental influences that impact on the holistic development of children.
- The Aistear and Síolta frameworks, and how quality can be achieved in early years.
To register click here.
Supporting engagement with Síolta, the National Quality Framework and Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
A variety of short, CPD learning activities have been developed through the National Síolta Aistear Initiative which supports the coordinated roll out of Síolta and Aistear. These CPD activities focus on a range of practice areas for practitioners working with children from birth to six years. They are intended to support you to:
Become familiar with the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide
- Reflect on aspects of practice, including:
- Supporting positive learning dispositions
- Creative arts within early learning and care settings
- Interactions and play for children from birth to 3
Please go to www.aistearsiolta.ie/en/CPD to access these resources
Children First Child Protection revision webinar
This webinar was developed to highlight the key elements of the face-to-face Always Children First Foundation training. Its purpose is to serve as an interim revision resource for Early Years practitioners prior to reopening of services during the Covid period.
An Introduction to The Rights of the Child in Early Learning and Care.
An Introduction to The Rights of the Child in Early Learning and Care is designed to give you, the early years educator, an overview of children’s rights and outline how these rights can be embedded into the daily practice in your early childhood setting.
This free online course is filled with practical examples, grounded in theory, to help you understand how children’s rights are a core part of quality early learning and care. The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and there is a quiz at the end of each section.
Course Content
- Section 1 considers what we mean by human rights and by children’s rights, and looks at the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Section 2 looks at the importance of children’s rights in early learning and care, and how these are essential to quality practice
- Section 3 considers how children’s rights are recognised and respected in early childhood settings, including the right to make decisions and choices, and the right to participate.
- Section 4 looks at a specific example – how children’s rights can be realised through the learning environment.
Click here to register and complete the training.
The National Council for Special Education have developed a range of supports that Early Learning and Care practitioners working with children with additional needs will find useful.
Click here to register and complete the training.
The Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills have designed a series of short webinars to share the findings, ideas and examples of effective practice that have been gathered during inspection visits to thousands of diverse early years education settings across Ireland since 2016.
Click here to register and complete the training.
ECI's have produces a video on enjoying outdoor play[Click here to watch]
St. Nicholas Montessori
St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers' Association endeavours to be a professional organisation supporting teachers, families and society, aspiring to be a voice in the development of the Montessori philosophy and method of education within society.
St Nicholas Montessori Teachers' Association provides support through the following events:
- Montessori Education Workshops- events that provide interactive support of the Montessori curriculum including the creation of resources and role modelling the delivery of the Montessori curriculum.
- Montessori Education Networks- events that deliver on-going professional development and support to Montessori teachers, assisting Montessori teachers in the delivery of National Childcare programs and National Quality frameworks; Aistear and Síolta.
- Montessori Education Mentoring- events that identify supports needed by Montessori teachers, providing practical and concrete support for the Montessori prepared environment in the delivery of Montessori programmes.
To see upcoming events click [Here]
National Childcare Scheme (NCS)
The National Childcare Scheme is the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare. It establishes an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies for children up to the age of 15. To learn more about the National Childcare Scheme please go to the National Childcare Scheme Youtube channel [here] where you will find lots of informative videos.
Universal Design Guidelines
These guidelines set out the key Universal Design considerations and guidance for Early Learning and Care settings. The guidelines provide a flexible Universal Design framework to ensure that settings are accessible, understandable and easy to use for all children, staff, families and visitors. To learn more click here
Early Arts UK
This website has interesting resources to share for free. Go to the ‘Resource’ section to find ideas on providing a range of creative experiences for different age groups. Go to the ‘Research’ section to find articles on the impact of creative experiences on the development of young children. https://earlyarts.co.uk/
The Hanen Organisation
Hanen offer some free articles to Parents and Early Years Educators. Explore fun activities using the Hanen approach, ‘Tips for Parents’ and ‘Research’ summaries. http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info.aspx
Barnardos
Barnardos offers many free resources on the barnardos.ie website, including the below resources;
PDF -BARNARDOS-mindfulness A3 Poster-ONLINE
PDF -BARNARDOS-Quality School Age Childcare
PDF -BARNARDOS-mindfulness A4 online resource-Booklet-ONLINE
PDF -BARNARDOS-Intro to Schemas-ONLINE
Barnardos offer further reading in theirebook shopforboth early learning and care educators and parents. Below you will find samples;
Ebook -The Key PersonApproach: Positive Relationships with Children in the Early Years
Ebook -CommunityInvolvement: A Guide for Early Years Educators
Ejournal -ChildLinks
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)
There are a number of resources that are available on the Access and Inclusion Model site that may be of use to both parents and Practitioners
Resources on Home and Play can be found here.
Steiner Early Childhood Association
BLÁTHÚ Steiner Early Childhood Association :Essential Characteristics of Steiner/Waldorf Education for the Child from Birth to Seven [Download here].
National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare
These guidelines set out the key quality guidance for School-Age Childcare settings. The guidelines aim to assist and guide School-Age Childcare providers and staff to develop and enhance their school-age provision while reaching beyond and aspiring to achieve more than the minimum standards set out in regulations. To learn more click here.
Sharing Development Concerns with Parents: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals (Barnardos)[Click Here]
This resource offers guidance to early years professionals about how to approach difficult conversations with parents. Such conversations might relate to concerns you have about a possible developmental delay, a sensory or learning related issue, or a behavioural or emotional issue for a child.The booklet also outlines how you can work together, if the parents wish, to plan steps for the family to get any emotional supports and practical help they might need.
Continuing Professional Development in Early Learning and Care (Barnardos and National Childhood Network)[Click Here]
This booklet offers guidance to newly qualified early childhood professionals about the role of CPD in your professional and personal life. It includes information about how to identify your learning needs, how to plan appropriate CPD and how to get the most out of CPD opportunities.
