Continuing the Journey: Exploring the updated Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework National Conference
- Published on: 16 May 2025
- Last updated on: 23 May 2025
Saturday 24th May 2025
Dublin Royal Convention Centre
Introduction
Welcome to the Continuing the Journey: Exploring the updated Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework national conference. This event is being hosted by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), in partnership with the Department of Education and Youth (DEY), and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Conference Overview
This national conference will provide a forum for educators, policy makers, academics, and support organisations to collaboratively explore the updates, new concepts and key messages within the updated Framework. The conference will feature a combination of presentations and networking opportunities which aim to inform and inspire educators to consider how the updated Framework can be reflected in daily practice.
Master of Ceremonies
Elaine Coffey O'Connor, Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE)
Conference Agenda
|
8.30-10.00 Registration |
Tea and Coffee Exhibition Stands |
|
10.00-10.30 Welcome and opening |
Elaine Coffey O’ Connor, Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) Video address Minister for Education and Youth: Helen McEntee TD Video address Minister for Children, Disability and Equality: Norma Foley TD Launch of the Nurturing Skills website - www.nurturingskills.ie
|
|
10.30-11.00 Aistear |
Maresa Duignan, Department of Education and Youth (DEY) Arlene Forster, CEO, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA): Looking at Aistear's own Journey - Reflections on Research, Policy, and Practice |
|
11.00-11.50 Keynote Speaker |
Professor Iram Siraj, University of Oxford and National University of Ireland, Maynooth - Building Brains: The role of the educator in supporting an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum approach |
|
11.50-12.20 Break |
Tea, coffee, and networking Exhibition stands |
|
12.20-13.10 Breakout Sessions
|
· Breakout A Hyde Suite Dr. Geraldine French (Dublin City University) Chair: Dr. Jacinta O’ Regan (NCCA) Building Relationships: The Power of Slow Relational Pedagogy with Babies and Toddlers. The workshop addresses what is slow relational pedagogy in the context of building relationships and enhancing the learning and development of babies and toddlers responsively, respectfully and sensitively. There is a focus on why slow relational pedagogy is important. Finally, we examine the specific features of engaging in a slow relational pedagogy in professional practice in ECEC settings for working with this age range. These understandings are required for very young children’s flourishing. · Breakout B Robinson Suite (Room 1) Shirley Heaney (Mary Immaculate College) Chair: Donna Carolan (NCCA) Fostering Learning Environments that promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all Babies, Toddlers and Young Children. This session will explore how the Principles and Themes of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework embed a strengths-based approach to creating inclusive learning environments that promote well-being and empower babies, toddlers and young children to develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. · Breakout C: Higgins Suite (Room 1) Gráinne McKenna (Dublin City University) Chair: Toby Wolfe (DCDE) The Inherent Influence of the Agentic Educator- the Role, Reach and Rewards. This session will focus on ‘Agentic Educators’ as an early learning and development principle in Aistear, exploring what this means for professional identity and what it might look like in practice. We will consider the significant influence of the agentic educator on children’s learning and development, as well as the important contributions and connections we make to children’s families and communities. · Breakout D: Higgins Suite (Room 2) Dr. Mary Daly (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) Chair: Lorraine Farrell (NCCA) Listening to and: Listening for the Voices of Babies, Toddlers and Young Children in the Transitions Process. This presentation will focus on the importance of supporting positive transitions in the everyday lives of babies, toddlers and young children. It will delve into the importance of supporting and enriching all transitions for babies, toddlers and young children and show how the updated framework, together with the Guidance for Good Practice, supports these. Transitions are explained as the process of change and movement within and between the daily routines, from one room to another and from one educational setting to another. The presentation will provide information on how to listen to the voices of babies, toddlers and young children in the transition process to support and enrich these experiences. The role of the key person and of slow relational pedagogy will be looked at too as change is easier when babies, toddlers and young children feel safe and have people around who care about and know them well. The presentation will also highlight that supporting transitions is a shared responsibility between families, childminders, early years educators, settings and schools in the best interests of the baby, toddler and young child. · Breakout E: Robinson Suite (Room 1) Máire Uí Mhurchú Chair: Jacqui de Paor (DCDE) Acquiring Gaeilge through Movement, Song and Dance This workshop will demonstrate how Gaeilge can be naturally and playfully incorporated into a setting's daily or weekly routine—especially through activities that children love, such as singing and movement. You do not need to be proficient in Gaeilge to engage with these activities. There will be an interactive element to this presentation with practical guidance on how to access and use a range of online resources to support your practice. · Breakout F Swift Suite (Radisson Blu Royal Hotel -adjacent to the Royal Convention Centre) Dr. Sharon Skehill (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) Chair: Ann Lane (Better Start) Ómós Áite: Noticing the Learning in Outdoor Spaces and Places. This presentation brings the updated Aistear to life through practical examples of free play, guided play and educator-led playful experiences in the outdoors. It illustrates how the Principles and Themes of Aistear are realised in daily routines, in different learning environments, and the role of the educator in creating spaces and provocations that nurture learning and wellbeing for babies, toddlers and young children - as well as for those who work in practice.
|
|
13.10-14.25 Lunch |
Lunch and Networking Exhibition Stands |
|
14.25-15.15 Afternoon Breakout Session |
Breakout A
Hyde Suite Dr. Sharon Skehill (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) Chair: Ann Lane (Better Start) Ómós Áite: Noticing the Learning in Outdoor Spaces and Places. This presentation brings the updated Aistear to life through practical examples of free play, guided play and educator-led playful experiences in the outdoors. It illustrates how the Principles and Themes of Aistear are realised in daily routines, in different learning environments, and the role of the educator in creating spaces and provocations that nurture learning and wellbeing for babies, toddlers and young children - as well as for those who work in practice. · Breakout B Robinson Suite (Room 1) Shirley Heaney (Mary Immaculate College) Chair: Donna Carolan (NCCA) Fostering Learning Environments that promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for all Babies, Toddlers and Young Children. This session will explore how the Principles and Themes of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework embed a strengths-based approach to creating inclusive learning environments that promote well-being and empower babies, toddlers and young children to develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. · Breakout C Higgins Suite (Room 1) Gráinne McKenna (Dublin City University) Chair: Toby Wolfe (DCDE) The Inherent Influence of the Agentic Educator- the Role, Reach and Rewards. This session will focus on ‘Agentic Educators’ as an early learning and development principle in Aistear, exploring what this means for professional identity and what it might look like in practice. We will consider the significant influence of the agentic educator on children’s learning and development, as well as the important contributions and connections we make to children’s families and communities. Breakout D Higgins Suite (Room 2) Dr. Mary Daly (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) Chair: Lorraine Farrell (NCCA) Listening to and Listening for the Voices of Babies, Toddlers and Young Children in the Transitions Process. This presentation will focus on the importance of supporting positive transitions in the everyday lives of babies, toddlers and young children. It will delve into the importance of supporting and enriching all transitions for babies, toddlers and young children and show how the updated framework, together with the Guidance for Good Practice, supports these. Transitions are explained as the process of change and movement within and between the daily routines, from one room to another and from one educational setting to another. The presentation will provide information on how to listen to the voices of babies, toddlers and young children in the transition process in order to support and enrich these experiences. The role of the key person and of slow relational pedagogy will be looked at too as change is easier when babies, toddlers and young children feel safe and have people around who care about and know them well. The presentation will also highlight that supporting transitions is a shared responsibility between families, childminders, early years educators, settings and schools in the best interests of the baby, toddler and young child. · Breakout E: Robinson Suite (Room 2) Máire Uí Mhurchú Chair: Jacqui de Paor (DCDE) Acquiring Gaeilge through Movement, Song and Dance. This workshop will demonstrate how Gaeilge can be naturally and playfully incorporated into a setting's daily or weekly routine—especially through activities that children love, such as singing and movement. You do not need to be proficient in Gaeilge to engage with these activities. There will be an interactive element to this presentation with practical guidance on how to access and use a range of online resources to support your practice. Breakout FSwift Suite (Radisson Blu Royal Hotel – adjacent to Royal Convention Centre) Dr. Geraldine French (Dublin City University) Chair: Dr. Jacinta O’ Regan (NCCA) Building Relationships: The Power of Slow Relational Pedagogy with Babies and Toddlers. The workshop addresses what is slow relational pedagogy in the context of building relationships and enhancing the learning and development of babies and toddlers responsively, respectfully and sensitively. There is a focus on why slow relational pedagogy is important. Finally, we examine the specific features of engaging in a slow relational pedagogy in professional practice in ECEC settings for working with this age range. These understandings are required for very young children’s flourishing.
|
|
15.20-15.45 Supports |
Introduction: Eimear Carron (DCDE) National Síolta Aistear Initiative (NSAI) & the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide (ASPG): Lorraine Farrell (NCCA) |
|
15.45-16.00 Concluding Remarks & Event Close |
Toby Wolfe, Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE)
|
Speaker Biographies
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD
Norma previously served as Minister for Education (2020-2025). Born and reared in Tralee, Norma is married to Denis Maguire, also a teacher.
A passion for politics blossomed at an early age and she was a regular on the campaign trail, canvassing for her father Denis, a TD for Kerry North for over 18 years.
Since 2004, Norma Foley has represented the people of Tralee Municipal District on Kerry County Council. She has also served on Tralee Town Council, and held the position of Mayor of Tralee on three occasions as well as being elected Mayor of Kerry.
She was appointed Minister for Education in June 2020 following the formation of the Government when she became the first Kerry woman to sit at the Cabinet table. She was appointed as Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in January this year.
Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD
Helen McEntee is the Minister for Education and Youth. She was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025.
Before this, she served as Minister for Justice since June 2020.
Helen was elected to Dáil Éireann in a By-Election in March 2013, and re-elected in the February 2016 general election. Deputy McEntee was appointed by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to be Minister for Mental Health and Older People at the Department of Health in May 2016 as part of the new Partnership Government.
In June 2017, as part of a government reshuffle by newly appointed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister McEntee was promoted to the position of Minister of State for EU Affairs.
She previously served on the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, and was also a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Arlene Forster
Arlene is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). She leads the Council’s work in developing and providing advice to the Minister for Education and Youth on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, and for primary and post-primary schools. In recent years, this work included NCCA’s review and updating of Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. Specialising in early years education in her undergraduate studies, Arlene began her career as a primary school teacher and taught at all class levels across multi-grade and single-grade settings in Monaghan, Tyrone and Dublin. Arlene joined the NCCA at the beginning of the Council’s work to develop advice on the curriculum for the early childhood period. She subsequently led the development of Aistear, the first curriculum framework developed by the NCCA. Through her roles as Director and Deputy CEO, she also led work on the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide, the Aistear Tutor Initiative, curriculum review, assessment and reporting to parents. Arlene is a graduate of Stranmillis University College, Belfast and University College Dublin.
Prof. Iram Siraj (OBE)
Siraj (OBE) trained and worked as an early childhood teacher. She is currently a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Maynooth and Emeritus Professor of Child Development at the University of Oxford. She has led on longitudinal studies, including E4Kids and the FEEL study in Australia and the EPPSE study in the UK and Northern Ireland. She led the influential Researching Effective Pedagogy in the Early Years (REPEY) study, which first developed the concept of Sustained Shared Thinking (SST), which has appeared as a key construct in many early childhood curricula. She is the co-author of several complementary scales that support quality improvement in children’s cognitive, social-emotional and physical development. Her latest work is on pedagogical leadership quality in settings. The MOVERS (2024), the SSTEW (2024), ECQRS-EC (2025) and the latest PLEY scales (September 2025) are all published by Routledge.
Dr. Geraldine French
Geraldine French is an Associate Professor, Head of School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education, Programme Chair of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA) in the Institute of Education, Dublin City University. In the context of early childhood education and care Geraldine has published on quality professional practice, supporting early language, literacy and numeracy and nurturing babies’ learning and development. Her most recent research included leading the literature reviews to update Aistear and the development of the revised national literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy (from an early childhood perspective).
Shirley Heaney
Shirley Heaney is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Care and Education in the Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Studies at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (MIC), where she lectures in a wide range of topics including inclusive practice, curriculum and pedagogy and professional development. Previously, Shirley worked with the Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme since its inception in 2016 in a variety of roles, including programme development, delivery, quality review and evaluation, and was the National Coordinator of the LINC Programme from 2021 to 2024. She is a dedicated advocate for supporting the rights of children, families and educators to access and participate in inclusive early years environments. She has extensive experience in the area of inclusive practice in early childhood and has published in this area. Shirley’s research interests include inclusive practice, child well-being, universal design and professional development.
Grainne McKenna
McKenna is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education and Care at Dublin City University (DCU) Institute of Education. Her current research focuses on equity and social justice in education, particularly the significant impact of nurture and teacher-child relationships on children’s educational access, participation, and learning experiences. Grainne was the Co-Principal Investigator of the literature review to update and enhance Aistear, Ireland’s Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA, 2022).
Dr. Sharon Skehill
Dr. Sharon Skehill has worked with NCCA for the past 3 years as an Education Officer updating Aistear. She is also an Early Years Educator and Researcher at her full daycare outdoor service in Galway. She has been working with babies, toddlers and young children for over 20 years and is a passionate advocate for early childhood education and care. She has a PhD in Education from University of Limerick / Mary Immaculate College and is currently studying a MSc in Children’s Rights in Queens University Belfast. Sharon has published on many topics relating to early childhood including leadership, curriculum, nature pedagogy, inclusion, and children's rights.
Dr. Mary Daly
Dr. Mary Daly has worked in the area of early childhood care and education in Ireland for the past 25 years. In 1999 Mary completed a BA in Early Childhood Studies from University College Cork followed by PhD in 2002. She worked in a number of different capacities before joining the NCCA in 2006. In her role as Education Officer she has been involved in a number of different projects including the development of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (2009), the Aistear Toolkit, the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide, and the Mo Scéal Reporting templates which support children’s transition from preschool to primary school. Mary was part of the early childhood team who worked on the updated Aistear (GoI, 2024). Mary is also currently Vice-President of OMEP Ireland which is dedicated to promoting the well-being of all children from birth – eight years and advocating for their right to high quality early childhood education and care.
Máire Uí Mhurchú
Máire UÍ Mhurchú was príomh stiúrthóir (owner/principal) of Naíonra Neasáin, Harmonstown, for 28 years, where she oversaw a total immersion preschool service with 44 ECCE places across two daily sessions. She served as vice-chair of Na Naíonraí Gaelacha and on the board of Forbairt Naíonraí Teo, contributing to seminars, conferences, teacher training workshops, and publications. Máire also delivered workshops for the NCCA as Gaeilge. Since 2017, she has lectured on the “Luath-Oideachas trí Ghaeilge” module, ECE degree, at Marino Institute of Education and was part of the NCCA working group for the updated Aistear (in both English and Irish). She scripted and presented 23 educational videos for TG4 Foghlaim, inspired by the TG4 documentary Naíonra. A qualified dance teacher, Máire has performed internationally and recently led workshops in dance and singing as Gaeilge, in France. She currently serves on the board of Oireachtas na Gaeilge.