Purpose:

There are significant policy developments reshaping the landscape of Irish early childhood and early primary education. Drawing together contemporary research and evidence from practice on early learning, keynote and practitioner speakers will address the topic from different perspectives, identifying some of the critical issues for consideration in informing the policy debate.

Under the broad theme of early childhood education alignment this symposium, organised by the Researching Early Childhood Education Collaborative [RECEC] in partnership with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment [NCCA] and Early Childhood Ireland [ECI], offers participants time to reflect on the challenges and opportunities to contribute to the further development of this foundational period of education.

Overview
Dr Carmel Brennan, Early Childhood Ireland

Multiple Transitions in Early Childhood Education
Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and Early Education

Concluding reflections and ways forward
Anne Looney, Chief Executive, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment