“…children’s first years are crucial to plant the seeds which will allow them to flourish later in life. Their first years, before they even reach the age of primary school, set the foundations for their personal development, social skills and successful later learning. While their family gives them care, affection and values children also benefit from receiving quality education and care.”
- Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Through collaboration between Léargas, DCEDIY and Better Start, a new professional development opportunity for exchange opportunities, funded through the EU Erasmus+ programme, is open to early years educators who are working in Partner Services.
The Erasmus+ programme supports education, training, youth and sport in Europe and is one of the flagship initiatives of the European Union (EU). It offers opportunities for individuals to study, train, and gain experience abroad.
One of the keys to achieving this quality is to support all the staff who work in early learning and care settings, to develop their professional competences, during their initial training and throughout their career. The Erasmus+ programme offers such opportunities for staff in early learning and care settings.
Learning from counterparts and discovering the many ways early learning and care is designed and implemented in other countries can help develop innovative teaching methods and new resources to support children’s learning.
To get inspired and read about examples of Erasmus+ funded projects within early learning and care, see the European Commission’s collection and analysis document. These projects from across Europe support staff and institutions who care for and educate young children.
Léargas, the National Agency for Erasmus+ in Ireland invite applications under the February 23 deadline for Key Action 1 Mobility projects. All details on the application process, project duration and type of funding are available on Léargas website. Opportunities for early years educators are included in the School Education Mobility Project.
Services eligible for participation in the Erasmus+ Call for short-term projects in the field of early learning and care are defined as Partner Services in contract for the Core Funding scheme with the DCEDIY.
You can make contact with Léargas staff, who will be happy to assist with any queries and read about one early years educator from Ireland who has taken part in multiple Erasmus+ projects and written a blog.
An online information webinar will be held on Wednesday, 8 February at 7pm.
The session will include:
- An overview of Erasmus+
- The benefits of Mobility Projects
- Resources and Next Steps
The link to the session is: Erasmus+ Early Years Information Session Tickets, Wed 8 Feb 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite and it will also be available on the Better Start website under Training and Events (www.betterstart.ie/training-events/).
Further details of the Erasmus+ programme and the webinar can be obtained by contacting Deirdre O’Brien: dobrien@leargas.ie or (01) 8871217
