Better Start

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 8
Little Books, Big Stories
Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026
Time: 7pm-8pm

The mission of Children’s Books Ireland is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people on the island of Ireland, and to champion equitable access for all to excellent books. The webinar will focus on our current Small Print resource pack, which showcase 10 excellent picture books, and offers accessible and fun ideas for reading activities. The webinar will also focus on the benefits of reading for children of all ages, along with lots of book recommendations, helpful ideas for supporting young readers with diverse needs and interests, and practical tips for childminders who want to make books and reading a core part of their practice and care.

To register for the webinar visit:
875a5ae0-e699-4006-982f-1fce14071780@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/875a5ae0-e699-4006-982f-1fce14071780@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the[Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 7
Sharing Stories and Building Reading Relationships: Inspiration and Guidance for Childminders
Date: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Time: 7pm-8pm

The mission of Children’s Books Ireland is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people on the island of Ireland, and to champion equitable access for all to excellent books. The webinar entitled “Sharing Stories and Building Reading Relationships”, focusing on inspiring childminders to bring the joy of reading to life for the children they care for and support. We will showcase our free resources – including activity packs, information leaflets on the benefits of reading, reviews, and reading guides – for attendees, placing a particular spotlight on the update to our Small Print activity pack, a resource that explores the principles of Aistear through picture books.

To register for the webinar visit:
5c5734e2-e718-40b2-8a9c-1a012086b9b1@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5c5734e2-e718-40b2-8a9c-1a012086b9b1@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 6
A mixture of Ciorcal Ceoil, Sculpting Sounds and Song Explorer
Date: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Time: 3:45-4:45

Ríona Sally Hartman is a musician who makes music with, and for, children. She has over a decade’s worth of experience creating engaging, educational and fun live music shows for children that consistently sell out. This webinar will explore a blend of Ciorcal Ceoil which is a bilingual workshop for children and their grown ups filled with songs, stories and fun in English and Irish; Sculpting Sounds which will explore creative and accessible ways of integrating musical improvisation into children’s education activities and play; along with Song Explorer where children and their grown ups can learn and enjoy songs in lots of different European languages together in a fun, accessible way.

To register for the webinar visit:
2f896e50-935a-41f9-935f-81f30c88e75e@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2f896e50-935a-41f9-935f-81f30c88e75e@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 5
A mixture of Ciorcal Ceoil, Sculpting Sounds and Song Explorer
Date: Wednesday 21st October 2026
Time: 10:30-11:30

Ríona Sally Hartman is a musician who makes music with, and for, children. She has over a decade’s worth of experience creating engaging, educational and fun live music shows for children that consistently sell out. This webinar will explore a blend of Ciorcal Ceoil which is a bilingual workshop for children and their grown ups filled with songs, stories and fun in English and Irish; Sculpting Sounds which will explore creative and accessible ways of integrating musical improvisation into children’s education activities and play; along with Song Explorer where children and their grown ups can learn and enjoy songs in lots of different European languages together in a fun, accessible way.

To register for the webinar:
b9e8b62f-7098-4e7c-b6fe-2b72f267bf48@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b9e8b62f-7098-4e7c-b6fe-2b72f267bf48@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 4
How to communicate so will listen, engage, learn and grow
Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026
Time: 8pm-9pm

Mireia Lopez, a passionate educator with a strong background in child development. Mireia’s entrepreneurial journey into play-based education began when she started running workshops for babies, toddlers, and neurodivergent children, with a focus on learning through play. These workshops allowed children to develop basic life skills in a fun and supportive environment while giving parents the chance to bond with their kids and connect with others. Drawing on her extensive educational background, Mireia built Discovery Playtime around the philosophy that play is a powerful tool for learning, and she continues to advocate for this through her play sessions, events, camps, training programs, and the Rediscovering Childhood Podcast.

To register for the webinar visit:
9d25364d-82c2-4806-9798-76a07591e93c@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9d25364d-82c2-4806-9798-76a07591e93c@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page: https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 3
Happy Me, Happy Home, Happy Work, Happy Child
Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026
Time: 7pm-8pm

This is a practical talk full of simple solutions for everyday issues. If you feel overwhelmed, this talk is for you. From surviving to thriving, you will find compelling stories you can identify with and learn from. Sheila is a natural storyteller and shares the learnings of many parents she has worked with over many years. She is honest, unique, and authentic in sharing her own learnings in parenting/relationships.

To register for the webinar visit:
10976fd8-4bf2-4d79-a8e1-41efc33bf2fa@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/10976fd8-4bf2-4d79-a8e1-41efc33bf2fa@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 2
Helping Childminders introduce Irish to young children (Interactive Rhyme’s and Puppet)
Date : Tuesday 20th October 2026
Time: 10:30-11:00am

Babies, toddlers and young children revel in rhyme, rhythm, repetition and the many new exciting sounds of the Irish language. This interactive, bilingual workshop focuses on the introduction of Irish in a fun and playful way. Rhymes, music, and movement have traditionally been essential tools in acquiring languages. Research shows that exposure to a second language in the early years has many cognitive, emotional, and social benefits associated with it. Áine will discuss the background to the research as well as provide simple tips and practical samples during this workshop.

To register for the webinar visit:
a0fff3ad-2d73-48af-ae21-c6db7d30c453@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a0fff3ad-2d73-48af-ae21-c6db7d30c453@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

Join us the week of October 19th - 23rd as we celebrate National Childminding Week 2026!

Webinar 1
SongTales in Whistleberry Forest
Monday 19th October 2026
10:30am-11:10am

SongTales in Whistleberry Forest is a lively, interactive music and storytelling adventure for young children and their childminders. Designed especially for participation on screen, the workshop invites children to join in using their voices, bodies and imaginations, with no instruments or special materials needed. At its heart, SongTales in Whistleberry Forest celebrates the joy of shared music-making and the wonderful possibilities that can grow from singing, storytelling, movement and play.

To register for the webinar visit:
4b0242f0-3207-439b-85ae-00ef87adf788@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4b0242f0-3207-439b-85ae-00ef87adf788@aeae5436-a997-489f-b0e1-ae283ced47f7?source=copyLinkLegacyShareLinkDialog

To find out more on the series of events please visit the Better Start Training & Events page:
https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/

16/10/2026

There are currently a limited number of places available on upcoming training for November 2026.

This course is for staff members and professionals who have started to work in an environment where Lámh is used and covers 100 Lámh signs and how to support a Lámh user.

There are currently a limited number of places available on upcoming training for November 2026. This course is for staff members and […]

16/10/2026

Mealtimes: Valuable Learning Opportunities in Early Learning and Care

Mealtimes in an Early Learning and Care (ELC) setting are a significant part of the curriculum. Positive mealtime experiences are important opportunities to support children and to enhance their learning, development, health and overall well-being. Visit the Nurturing Skills website to find out more.

https://www.nurturingskills.ie/resources/mealtimes-valuable-learning-opportunities-in-early-learning-and-care/