News
Skillnet Funding enables 48,000 courses to be completed by Early Childhood Ireland Members
Mon Sep 09 2024
To date, over 19,000 Early Years educators across Ireland have benefitted from Early Childhood Ireland’s suite of professional development courses.
Early Childhood Ireland’s Professional Practice Space, an initiative funded by Midland Border East Skillnet and Next Level Skillnet, has been developed to enhance the professional skills of educators working in Early Years and School Age Care.
As a key membership benefit, the courses are offered free of charge to all member settings and their staff, providing accessible, high-quality training opportunities. The courses are available through Early Childhood Ireland’s Learning Hub, delivered via the IACT platform.
This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to support professional development within the sector, ensuring educators have the tools and knowledge to excel in their roles as highly skilled professionals who deliver high-quality experiences for children.
Following funding received from Next Level Skillnet and Midland Border East Skillnet, the Learning Hub was established in 2020. Further funding in 2024 has allowed Early Childhood Ireland to expand the range of programmes available to their members nationwide.
Early Childhood Ireland CEO, Teresa Heeney, said, “Thanks to this funding from Skillnet Ireland, over 48,000 courses have been completed by Early Childhood Ireland members to date. We are pleased to be able to offer our members sustained access to opportunities for reflective practice and professional learning and development.”
Participants can avail of a total of 34 courses under eight pillars ranging from digital skills such as Microsoft Office, Excel and data security, to health and safety, diversity and inclusion, professional development, and management and leadership skills.
Commenting on the programmes, Next Level Skillnet Network Manager, Gerard Murray said, “Next Level Skillnet are delighted to have partnered with Midland Border East Skillnet and Early Childhood Ireland to deliver a comprehensive online training solution that meets the training needs of the Early Years and School Age Care sector. The number of courses that are available and the number of employees that have availed of the training is an invaluable asset to the sector.”
Midland Border East Skillnet Chief Operations Officer, Michael Lynch, praised the platform, stating that, “Midland Border East Skillnet were delighted to partner with Next Level Skillnet and Early Childhood Ireland to provide support and funding towards the development of this unique training platform for Early Childhood Ireland members. This platform enables the delivery of affordable training in areas of Health and Safety, Digital Transformation, and Management and Leadership Programmes.”
So far, over 48,000 courses have been completed by Early Childhood Ireland members. Popular programmes have included Work Safely for Employees in an Early Years Service, Food Hygiene and Allergen Awareness courses.
