1. education

Development of an emergent and inquiry-based
curriculum – Linking the Building Pillars of Practice
through the use of the Aistear/Síolta Practice Guide
Inspiring Leadership within the Early Childhood Care & Education Sector
DATE: SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2015
VENUE: THE ABBEY HOTEL, ROSCOMMON.
Roscommon County Childcare Committee (RCCC) in collaboration with Longford County Childcare Committee (LCCC) and
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA) are delighted to support the Early Childhood Care and Education
sector in organizing this continuing professional development event. The demand for this event is as a result
consultation conducted with early years services/early year’s educators on their ongoing professional development
needs during CCC support and mentoring on site visits.
Who should attend: This event is tailored towards the needs of the early childhood care & education sector and in
particular to early years educators, ECCE voluntary management committees, ECCE owner/managers parents, support
workers, professionals, teachers, social work teams and students. All welcome.
IN 2015 ROSCOMMON CCC ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED EARLY YEARS SPECIALIST SUSAN MCDONALD
WHO WILL CO-FACILITATE WITH ROSCOMMON CCC
DATE: SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2015
VENUE: ABBEY HOTEL, ROSCOMMON
TIME: 9.30AM – 4.30PM
As part of the day’s workshops, facilitators will demonstrate the linkages with the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide
which is intended to help you in your role as curriculum-developer to build, reflect on and extend your
curriculum to support babies’, toddlers’ and young children’s early learning and development. The Practice Guide
is based on the understanding that settings are compliant with, or are working to become compliant with the
Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations (Department of Health and Children (DHC), 2006).
The Practice Guide uses the concept of an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum to help practitioners to use
the two frameworks together. An emergent and inquiry-based curriculum uses children’s and practitioners’
interests, questions and experiences as starting points for curriculum planning.
Background of Presenter:
Susan MacDonald, M.Ed., is the founder of Inspiring New Perspectives, a consultancy focused
on empowering educational leaders to create programs that respect and nurture the
possibilities that lie within each child, parent, and early years educators/early years
practitioners/teachers. Her dynamic presentation style engages participants in their own
learning. Susan is committed to combining her knowledge of early childhood quality standards
with her unique professional background to develop and deliver a higher quality of
inspirational courses and workshops. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the early
childhood field, she has proven herself to be a passionate lifelong learner.
Susan holds a Master’s degree in Instructional Design, professional coach certifications through the Institute for
Professional Excellence in Coaching, and has participated in the Parker Palmer, Courage to Lead program;
Evocative Coaching: Transforming Schools one Conversation at a Time program; and Immunity to Change
program at Harvard University. Susan is currently on the faculty of The Center for School Transformation. She
has served as director of a Reggio-inspired preschool program, as adjunct faculty at Lesley University and
Wheelock College, and as a licensing supervisor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Susan is past Vice
President of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children and Membership Coordinator for
the Massachusetts NAREA (North American Reggio Alliance).
9:30 A.M. REGISTRATION
9:45 A.M. WELCOME BY IRENE CAFFERKY, ROSCOMMON CCC
10.00 A. M. SANDRA O NEILL, NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT (NCCA)
10:15.AM - 12.30PM
Session One – Susan Mac Donald & Majella Mc Govern
Six life skills children need to be successful
This highly interactive workshop will provide a clear framework for understanding the six life skills children need
to develop and grow and reach their full potential and linkages with the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide
Together we will explore how strengthening these vital skills will help children in managing their own behaviour
in positive ways. Participants will learn new strategies to use to support the creation of a positive emotional
climate for children to thrive:
 Attachment,
 Belonging,
 Self-regulation,
 Collaboration,
 Contribution
 Adaptability.
You will be inspired to create a clear vision and action steps that will guide you on a path to increased
satisfaction and engagement in your daily work.
Each participant will be actively engaged in reflective learning activities that will build his or her understanding of
the techniques they can use in their unique educational programs.
Six Life Skills Children Need: Beyond Behavior Management Family
Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray
All available to purchase on the Day
12.30PM-1.30PM Lunch Break
LUNCH **LUNCH IF REQUIRED MUST BE PAID DIRECTLY BY THE PARTICIPANT TO THE HOTEL**
1.30PM – 3.00PM
Session two – Susan Mac Donald & Kathleen Kearns
Creating Vibrant Engaging Learning Environments
In this session you will develop awareness of meaningful learning experiences designed to enhance your
understanding of developing a unique quality learning environment and linkages with the Aistear Síolta Practice
Guide
A key feature of this session is an opportunity to engage in reflective practice. It is designed to inspire and
challenge participants to create new perspectives on high quality learning environments.
Learning outcomes



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Enhance pedagogical skills through reflective learning experiences, individual and group activities
Discover new ways to connect with our own unique passions and interests and find ways to bring new
creative energy into our daily work
Stress the importance of adults practicing what they want to develop in the children.
Support children to grow and develop as competent and confident learners within loving relationships
and interactions with others
Suitable for all interested in early childhood care and education strategies to develop leadership and advocacy
3.00 P.M. – 4.30 P.M.
Session 3 - Susan Mac Donald & Carmel Dunne
Skillful Intervention & Leadership for everyone working in the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector
The quality of early childhood provision depends on many factors. Confident leadership and positive energy is
the key to transforming the quality of early childhood programs. Together, we will explore how we as individual’s
impact on the children in our care and how this interaction can have a major impact in the learning experiences
the children gain as a result of whom young children engage in our early childhood care and education services.
Through this workshop, participants will learn to see new possibilities, develop strategies for overcoming
setbacks, and build a resource kit to continue their professional growth. Linkages with the Aistear Síolta Practice
Guide will be discussed.
In our roles as early years educators we set the foundation stones for children’s future interactions at all levels of
society and ensure their primary learning experiences are very enjoyable/ relevant and meaningful.
Drawing from current research including strength-based leadership, emergent early years curriculum and
mindfulness, this workshop endeavors to provide insight into the multitude of benefits of creating a vibrant,
engaging, and strength-based learning environment for young children.
Suitable for all interested in early childhood care and education strategies to develop leadership and advocacy
4.30P.M. CLOSING – EIMEAR CARRON, LONGFORD CCC
RCCC BOOKING FORM- CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY –SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2015
PARTICIPANT’S NAME
NAME OF ECCE SERVICE
_______________________________________________
EDUCATOR
CHILDMINDING SERVICE
PARENT & TODDLER GROUP
/AGENCY YOU REPRESENT/ OTHER
CONTACT NUMBER
ADDITIONAL CONTACT NUMBER (MOBILE)
E-MAIL
ADDRESS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO RCCC’S NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST, TICK HERE
COST PER PARTICIPANT IS €20. NO REFUNDS FOR NON ATTENDANCE ON THE DAY
CHEQUE ENCLOSED
CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO ROSCOMMON COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE
CASH ENCLOSED
PLEASE VISIT OUR FACE BOOK PAGE AT:
ROSCOMMONCOUNTYCHILDCARECOMMITTEE FOR FURTHER UPDATES
COMPLETE THE BOOKING FORM ABOVE ENCLOSING FEE TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE AND RETURN TO:
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT
ROSCOMMON COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE, KNOCK ROAD, CASTLEREA, CO. ROSCOMMON
ADDITIONAL BOOKING FORMS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM OUR WEBSITE:
HTTP://ROSCOMMONCHILDCARE.IE/MAIN/QUALITY-PRACTICE/QUALITY-AND-TRAINING-EVENTS/
TELEPHONE: 094-96 22540 or follow us on facebook @Roscommon County Childcare Committee
WEBSITE: WWW.ROSCOMMONCHILDCARE.IE
PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME BASIS WITH A COMPLETED BOOKING FORM INCLUDING PAYMENT.
TH
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF BOOKING FORMS IS 5PM THURSDAY 14 MAY 2015
RCCC RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS EVENT
Roscommon County Childcare Committee Booking and Payment Policy
As of 1st January 2015, payment for training organised by Roscommon County Childcare Committee (RCCC) must
be made PRIOR to the event. An online booking facility will also be available from May 2015. Registration will
not be complete until a booking form and payment has been made in full or online booking confirmation
received and this means that you will NOT be guaranteed your place if you have only registered but have not
made a payment.
RCCC reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter events without notice. In the event of this happening,
participants will be informed and a refund will be paid. Please note that RCCC are not liable for any expenses
incurred by the participant associated with attending this event.
Tea/coffee and lunch are not provided and will have to be arranged by the participants, if required.