National ‘Aistear’ Conference welcomes the launch of innovative new ‘Nurturing Skills’
website, designed to support over 30,000 staff in early years settings
- First of its kind portal for staff is a significant milestone towards a national Continuing
Professional Development system for the sector. - The Learning Hub will provide educators with learning materials and training opportunities
in several areas including Quality & Inclusive Practice, Health & Wellbeing and the Irish
language. - Conference focused on familiarising stakeholders with the updated Aistear curriculum
framework, which will come into effect this September.
Saturday, 24 May 2025
The innovative new Nurturing Skills website was launched by the Department of Children, Disability
and Equality at the national conference – ‘Continuing the Journey: Exploring the updated Aistear’ –
which took place in Dublin today. This new online platform, nurturingskills.ie, will support over
31,000 staff working with 235,000 children in early learning and care, school-age childcare and
childminding settings in Ireland. It offers practical tools, reflective resources and professional
guidance to promote inclusive practice and protect their own health and wellbeing.
The Nurturing Skills website will host the new Nurturing Skills Learning Hub, which provides
educators with easy access to learning materials and training opportunities in several areas including
Inclusive practice, Health & wellbeing and the Irish language.
The website also represents a significant milestone towards achieving a national Continuing
Professional Development system for the sector, which was a commitment in Nurturing Skills: The
Workforce Development Plan.
Commenting on the launch of the new Nurturing Skills website, Minister for Children, Disability and
Equality, Norma Foley said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of the new Nurturing Skills website, which is an innovative platform
designed to support and empower educators in their ongoing professional journey. This online
resource reflects our strong commitment to inclusive practice and continuous professional
development, providing easy access to high-quality learning materials and training opportunities
designed to support and inspire educators.
“By providing a central hub for professional development, we are investing not just in our educators
but in the future of all children in early learning and childcare settings.”
The website was launched today as part of the national conference – ‘Continuing the Journey:
Exploring the updated Aistear’. This conference is one of a series of dissemination activities taking
place following the launch of the updated Framework and associated Guidelines for Good Practice in
December 2024.
Aistear, the Irish word for journey, was Ireland’s first curriculum framework for early childhood
education when it was introduced in 2009. This is the first update since then and it will come into
effect in September this year.
The updated Aistear is for all children from birth to six years in all settings other than primary and
special schools. Aistear acknowledges that babies, toddlers and young children’s early experiences
have a formative impact that can last throughout their lives. It is important for babies, toddlers and
young children that Aistear is implemented in their early learning and care services to promote high
quality learning experiences for children. The Framework can be used by all those who support
babies, toddlers and young children and is particularly useful to those educators who work in
professional roles and who play a significant role in the daily lives of young children.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted that the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have hosted this national
conference focused on the updated Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.
“This updated Framework reaffirms our commitment to a play-based and inquiry-led approach to
early education, recognising both as essential. By placing the child at the centre and valuing
children’s natural curiosity, educators are supported to nurture confident, capable and creative
learners from the very start.
“This update reflects the latest research and best practice, and it ensures that every child can thrive
in a setting that celebrates play, inclusion and joyful discovery.”
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee said:
“I very much welcome this conference marking the update of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum
Framework and demonstrating the collective commitment to ensuring that the youngest members of
our society are given the highest quality early learning and care experiences.”
“The process of updating Aistear, by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, is
supported by extensive research and consultation with children, parents and the many stakeholders
across the ELC and education sectors. Early childhood is a significant stage of a child’s development;
one that establishes dispositions that impact on children’s well-being, learning and development.”
“Aistear, as the early childhood curriculum framework, seeks to ensure that children are supported to
develop their creativity, resilience, empathy and independence and build their confidence to pursue
their unique abilities, strength and interests. The core principles that underpin the updated Aistear
will continue to be embedded in the next stages of their education through the new Primary
Curriculum Framework, the Junior Cycle Framework and ultimately on into the Senior Cycle
Framework. Education is a lifelong learning journey, and I am very pleased to be working
collaboratively with the Minister for Children, Equality and Disability as we support ongoing Aistear
implementation”.
Speakers at the event included: Professor Iram Siraj, University of Oxford and National University of
Ireland, Maynooth; Arlene Forster, Dr. Sharon Skehill, Dr. Mary Daly and Lorraine Farrell, National
Council for Curriculum and Assessment; Dr. Geraldine French and Dr. Grainne Mc Kenna, Dublin City
University; Shirley Heaney, Mary Immaculate College; and Máire Úi Mhurchú. Workshops on the day
focused on a range of topics including slow relational pedagogy, outdoor learning, inclusive practice,
Gaeilge, the role of the adult, and transitions.
ENDS//
Click to read the press release in PDF from the Department of Children.