Getting it Right: A Competent System of Early Childhood Education and Care
The DCU Early Childhood Research Centre invites you to this cross-disciplinary seminar and knowledge exchange on Thursday, 5th June at DCU Institute of Education, St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra. This event will focus on the opportunities for investment of public funds in Ireland's early childhood care and education system. We will explore the current challenges, including parent and provider perspectives (private and community-based settings), and offer evidence-informed policy insights for reform, social innovation and entrepreneurism that can inspire a shared vision of early childhood education and care as an essential public good.
Speakers include:
Abby Jitendra, Principal Policy Adviser at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In 2024, Abby wrote A New Social Contract in the Childcare System, a proposal for a new social licensing model that aims to improve child care quality and supply by linking high standards with public money, ensuring government investments benefit families equitably and effectively.
Joanne Malone, Joanne Malone. Head of Education & Fund Manager, ReThink Ireland. Rethink Ireland (previously Social Innovation Fund Ireland) supports the development of social innovations with the potential for transformative impact on critical social issues facing Ireland.
Dr Emer Ní Bhrádaigh, DCU Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge. Emer holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship and is strongly interested in and committed to research and practice on social entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in the Gaeltacht.
The event will include a panel discussion with contributions and perspectives from ECEC providers (private and not-for-profit) and parents.
This event is supported by the Research Ireland New Foundations scheme, which supports research, networking and/or dissemination activities within and across the diversity of disciplines.