Welcome to our level 4 and 5 members

I was fortunate enough to attend the ECSDN AGM on Friday, 21st March, and I found myself nodding as Dr. Mary Moloney spoke passionately about advocacy, empowerment, and recognition for the Early Childhood profession. She inspired the room with her discussions about how 30,000 Early Childhood practitioners who came together in protest to open conversations with the Irish government about raising the profile and recognising the undisputable importance of a child's Early Childhood experience. Mary shared the advancement in Irish policy since the protest and plans for future development, demonstrating the impact of unifying a sector. This, in turn, impacts the settings, practitioners, and, of course, the children, raising awareness of the importance of hard work and commitment to achieving improved outcomes for children. To achieve this, we must come together as one Early Childhood voice with a shared vision. 

The ECSDN is leading the way in unifying those voices by integrating the Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degrees in Early Years (SEFDEY) into the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN). This strategic move aims to begin to unify and strengthen the early childhood sector, offering enhanced support for Level 4 and 5 qualifications.​ This equally encompasses the broader offer of apprenticeships, HTQ and not just foundation degrees. Aligning with ECSDN enhances the credibility of members, as the network is actively involved in advocating for high-status Early Childhood Graduate Professionals.

Upcoming Online Meeting: April 9th at 1 PM

To discuss these exciting developments and explore opportunities for involvement, ECSDN is hosting an online meeting on April 9th at 1 PM. This session is specifically designed for Level 4 and 5 course leaders, lecturers and tutors to gain insights and participate in discussions about current projects and how they align with HE and FE course designs.​ 

This meeting presents a valuable opportunity for course staff to become actively involved in shaping the future of Early Childhood. Engagement with ECSDN initiatives can lead to enriched learning experiences for students and enhanced professional growth for educators.​

Please follow the link below to sign up for this meeting:

FdA Welcome to the ECSDN Meeting