National Childhood Network

03/09/2026

✨NCN Autumn Training Programme🌱

National Childhood Network is delighted to offer a range of practical online CPD training sessions for educators working across:

👶 Birth to Three
🌱 Preschool
🎈 School Age Childcare

From play and physical activity to emotional wellbeing, toilet learning and slow pedagogy, each session is designed to provide practical ideas, fresh thinking and approaches you can bring back to your everyday practice.

💻 All sessions are delivered online via Zoom
📅 September – November 2026
✨ Learn from experienced facilitators and connect with other educators

To Book: https://ncn.ie/events/

02/09/2026

🎉 OLDER CHILDREN PLAY TOO! 🧩

Join us for this practical and engaging CPD training session, where you’ll deepen your understanding of older children’s play needs and discover fun, practical ways to support their interests, build engagement and encourage meaningful play.

📅 Monday 7th September
⏰ 7pm–8.30pm
💻 Via Zoom
💶 €20 per person

To Book: https://ncn.ie/events/

02/09/2026

💻 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺: Supporting neurodivergent children through play

👉 Watch now at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSxs81he1s0

PlayBoard's Inclusive Play team explore how play can support neurodivergent children to feel regulated, connected and confident.

The session looks at sensory needs, repetitive and solitary play, fleeting attention, play routines, and practical ways parents and practitioners can adapt the environment to help children thrive through play.

02/09/2026

Take learning beyond the classroom walls! 🌿

Learning through Landscapes has developed a fantastic collection of Outdoor Lesson Ideas, offering creative, play-based activities that encourage children to explore, investigate and learn in nature. The resources cover a wide range of themes and can easily be adapted to support learning and development in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings.

Whether it's cloud gazing, sensory scavenger hunts, nature bingo or creative outdoor play, there's plenty of inspiration to help bring learning outdoors.

Explore the resources here: https://ltl.org.uk/product-category/outdoor-lesson-ideas/

02/09/2026

📢 Application Deadline - Friday 4th September at 12pm

We’re recruiting an NCN PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Quality Mentor – Maternity Cover.

📍 North East (Cavan, Monaghan, Louth & Northern Ireland)
📄 Interviews: Tuesday, 8th September 2026 in Monaghan

For full details and application information, visit: https://ncn.ie/ncn-peaceplus-aspire-quality-mentor-maternity-cover-required/

01/09/2026

🎉OLDER CHILDREN PLAY TOO! 🧩

Join us for this practical and engaging CPD training session, where you’ll deepen your understanding of older children’s play needs and discover fun, practical ways to support their interests, build engagement and encourage meaningful play.

📅 Monday 7th September
⏰ 7pm–8.30pm
💻 Via Zoom
💶 €20 per person

To Book: https://ncn.ie/events/

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

Join our Shine Green Ribbon Virtual Event on Wednesday, September 30th, at 7PM, hosted by the LINC Programme and Mary Immaculate College.

01/09/2026

Creating Spaces
A Practical Workshop for School-Age Childcare Practitioners

Join us for a fun, practical and interactive workshop designed especially for School-Age Childcare Practitioners.
Discover how to create engaging spaces where older children choose to play, connect and thrive, even on those rainy afternoons when everyone is stuck indoors! ☔
Using our S.P.A.C.E. Framework, we'll explore practical ideas to help you:
✨ Keep older children engaged and motivated
🎲 Create exciting indoor play opportunities
🤝 Support mixed-age groups with confidence
💬 Encourage children's participation and voice
💚 Build positive relationships
⭐ Use positive behaviour support strategies that really work
🏡 Create play environments children want to be part of
This is a hands-on workshop, packed with practical ideas, resource inspiration and activities you can take straight back to your setting.

There are 2 dates to choose from:
Tuesday 22nd September book here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1995659464179?aff=oddtdtcreator
or
Tuesday 13th October book here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1995661044907?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please note: This workshop is exclusively for School-Age Childcare (SAC) practitioners in County Cavan.

01/09/2026