We chat with Canadian Childcare Federation CEO Don Giesbrecht about Government funding of ECEC, the $10 a day childcare plan and professionalisation. So interesting and lots of parallels with the Irish sector as Canada are on a similar trajectory.

We chat with Canadian Childcare Federation CEO Don Giesbrecht about Government funding of ECEC, the $10 a day childcare plan and professionalisation. So interesting and lots of parallels with the Irish sector as Canada are on a similar trajectory.

S1Ep6 The Canadian Early Childhood Sector.mp3

Mindfulness in ECEC with Leesa Flanagan

In this episode we discuss the emerging area of mindfulness based practice in ECEC with our guest Leesa Flanagan who is undertaking PhD research on this topic. Leesa tells us all about what mindfulness it, her journey to a mindful approach both in her life at home and in her ECEC practice and how we can use simple strategies to begin to introduce mindfulness in our own lives and with children in our ECEC settings.

S2 Ep3: Mindfulness Practice in ECEC

Community Involvement, it's a Síolta standard, but how is it implemented, what are the barriers, what does it look like in an ECEC setting?

In this episode we discuss how ECEC children can become involved in their communities, active citizenship and bringing the community in to the ECEC setting. We consider the barriers to Community Involvement and how to overcome them and we also hear about how Celine and her ECEC children get out and about and involved in her locality!

S2Ep2: Community Involvement

We discuss how the official name for the ECEC sector was changed to ELC in 2019

In this episode Paula and Celine discuss how the name for the early childhood education and care sector (ECEC) in Ireland was changed to early learning and care (ELC) by the Government department with responsibility for the sector back in 2019. The internationally accepted term is ECEC, so why are we different? We take a look at the various issues associated with the removal of the term "education" from the formal name for the sector and what this might mean for the professional status of ECEC going forward.

S2Ep1: ECEC or ELC? Does the terminology matter?

Mick Kenny from Men in Childcare and ACP chats with us.

In our last episode for 2022 we chat with Mick Kenny from the Men in Childcare network and the Association of Childhood Professionals on two topics: men working in early years and children who are experiencing disadvantage. Come back for season 2 in 2023!

S1Ep11a Men in Early Years - chat with Mick Kenny

The Key Person Approach - A Critical Analysis

In this episode we take a critical look at the key person approach and ask if it is still the best approach to underpin interactions and relationships in ECEC and if it perhaps meets the needs of the adult more than the children? Although they key person approach was initially intended to support educators to meet the needs of the child we wonder if, in light of changes to the ECEC profession, there are perhaps other ways to better meet the child's individual needs and create supportive relationships in current ECEC quality practice?

S1Ep10 The Key Person Approach - A Critical Analysis

Breaking down the concept of pedagogical leadership to explore how it translates into every day practice in ECEC.

In this episode we talk to the wonderful Meredith Rose from Nottingham Trent University about pedagogical leadership. We explore what it actually looks like in daily ECEC practice and consider the factors which both impede and help promote pedagogical practice.

S1Ep9 Pedagogical Leadership in Practice

Do all ECE educators and practitioners need to pursue a degree qualification and why? What is the driving force behind the decision to get a degree?

Paula and Celine engage in a lively discussion on the topic of a degree led ECE workforce. We wonder what is the driving force behind the decision to pursue a degree? Is it because practitioners want to do it or feel they have to do it? Do we need a 50% degree qualified practitioner workforce across the entire sector? What about the knowledge and experience possessed by those who do not have a degree and choose not to go back to college? How can the we stop the haemorrhage&nbsp;of degree qualified practitioners exiting the sector?

S1Ep8 - Who Needs a Degree in ECE?

The importance of access to nature and the outdoors for children in early childhood education.  

In this episode Paula and Celine interview Gillian Powell, author of the Thrive series of books on outdoor play and nature and ECE lecturer. We discuss why access to nature and the outdoors is vital to children's mental health and wellbeing and is a fundamental part of quality ECE. Gillian gives her insights into what a quality outdoor area in ECE looks like and we consider what the barriers to outdoor play might be.

S1Ep7 Thriving in Nature with Gillian Powell

Early Childhood Education Podcast

Community of professionals sharing ideas and knowledge on all things to do with early childhood education, quality and professional practice in ECEC in Ireland and beyond.

The ECE Quality Ireland Podcast

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S1Ep6 The Canadian Early Childhood Sector.mp3

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S2Ep2: Community Involvement

S2Ep1: ECEC or ELC? Does the terminology matter?

S1Ep11a Men in Early Years - chat with Mick Kenny