Photographed at Tallaght Childcare Centre are: Remi Kolawole and Eden Bentaher with Sally the Sloth. Image: Marc O’Sullivan

Pyjamas, slippers and dressing gowns at the ready – the countdown is on for over 4,300 children in Cork who will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day on Friday, 17^th November.

Early Years and School Age Care settings participating in the annual fundraiser by Early Childhood Ireland, are inviting children to don their cosiest pyjamas for the day to raise funds to support children across Ireland.

To date, National Pyjama Day activities have raised more than €4 million for selected projects and charities. This year, proceeds will go to autism charity AsIAm’s ‘Child and Family Support Programme’ which provides group-based support and advocacy for autistic children and their families. 

Funds raised will also go to a new ‘Eco-Emotions’ project for Early Years and School Age Care educators. Developed by Early Childhood Ireland in response to member feedback, the programme will support children to show care for themselves, each other, their communities and their environment.

Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland said:

“The Eco-Emotions project is something our members have asked for. They’ve pinpointed a way that educators of our youngest citizens can help to shape their sense of place and the need to care about themselves, the people around them and the world around them.

It will be an empowering project for children across Ireland to learn how they can help others. Exactly as they do on National Pyjama Day when they can enjoy great fun while having a significant impact on the lives of other children.

In our 20^th year, we’re expecting this to be our biggest National Pyjama Day yet and it wouldn’t be possible without our brilliant members who make the day so special for children with teddy bear picnics, pillow fights, bear hunts and lots more. And we are so grateful to the parents and other family members who generously support this fun and impactful day.”

Early Childhood Ireland members in Cork can continue to register for National Pyjama Day until Thursday, 16^th November at: www.earlychildhoodireland.ie.

All participating services receive an event pack including posters, a National Pyjama Day storybook for each child, sponsorship envelopes and stickers.

Notes

• The funds raised for AsIAm will contribute to its Child and Family Support Programme. The programme will fund:
  • Group-based support to autistic children and family members
  • Building the capacity of families to engage with support services
  • Advocating for the critical support families require

• Early Childhood Ireland is developing a new CPD programme to support our youngest citizens to care for themselves, their communities and our environment, the Eco-Emotions programme will:
  • Include specialised training, guidance, tools, resources and shared experiences to help seamlessly embed the principles of self-regulation, therapeutic play and caring for the environment into practice
  • Use a blended approach of both face-to-face and online events
  • Begin in 2024, with the development of an evidence-based approach and a pilot stage before the programme is fully implemented

About Early Childhood Ireland

Early Childhood Ireland is the leading children’s advocacy and membership organisation, working in partnership with 3,900 members nationwide to achieve quality experiences for every child in early years and school age care settings. Early Childhood Ireland advocates for an effective and inclusive early years and school age care system which values, supports, and invests in childhood, children, and services.

Follow Early Childhood Ireland online: @EarlyChildhdIRL.