Research

Recognising action research as a powerful tool for change and improvement at local level, ELI uses it as its primary research methodology.  Its collaborative nature gives participants a voice and ensures that ELI's programmes meet the on-going educational needs of parents, professionals and students.  While best national and international practice informs the initial planning stage, action research allows ELI to continuously evaluate and amend its programmes during the implementation stage. This allows theory to emerge from practice and enables ELI's programmes to be effective in meeting their stated long- and short-term goals.

Conferences Hosted

On the 23rd June 2016, ELI hosted an early-years conference titled ‘Enriching the Home Learning Environment’.  

Current Publications

Published International Journal Articles

• Kent, G., Bleach, J. and Fagan, B. (2016) The Role of the Parent Child Home Programme in Supporting Better Outcomes in Education and Learning. Children’s Research Digest. 3(1), pp. 29-35
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2016) Learning networks – enabling change through community action research, Educational Action Research, 24(1), pp. 21-33
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2015) "Improving Numeracy Outcomes for Children through Community Action Research". Educational Action Research 23 (1). pp. 22-35. ISSN 1747-5074.        
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2014) "Developing professionalism through reflective practice and ongoing professional development". European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 22 (2). pp. 185-197. ISSN 1350-293X.
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2013) "Improving educational aspirations and outcomes through community action research". Educational Action Research, 21 (2). pp. 253-266. ISSN 1747-5074.
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2013) "Using action research to support quality early years practice". European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 21 (3). pp. 370-379. ISSN 1752-1807

Book Chapters

• Bleach, Margaret J. (2016) Improving Early Numeracy Outcomes, In B. Mooney (Ed) Education Matters Yearbook 2015-2016 Shaping Ireland’s Education Landscape, Dublin: Education Matters
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2016) Sharing the Learning from Community Action Research. In J. McNiff (Ed.) Values and Virtues in Higher Education Research. Critical Perspectives. New York: Routledge
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2014) "Supporting Parents". In: A Critical Companion to Early Childhood. SAGE Publications Ltd, pp. 228-239. ISBN 9781446259269

Reports

• Brighter Futures Initiative - Research Report (2017) "Building Hope for Brighter Futures" Print Depot, Dublin. ISBN 9780905957364 (Written by children and young people aged 4-25 years old)
• Early Learning Initiative. (2016) "ELI Annual Report 2015-2016". Dublin: National College of Ireland
• Early Learning Initiative. (2015) "ELI Annual Report 2014-2015". Dublin: National College of Ireland
• Early Learning Initiative. (2014) "ELI Annual Report 2013-2014". Dublin: National College of Ireland    
• Share, M., Kerrins, L., & Greene, S. (2011) "Early Years Professionalism: An Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative's Professional Development Programme in Community Childcare Centres in the Dublin Docklands". Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN 9780905957166
• Share, M., Doyle, E., Callahan, A., Greene, S., Wachtler, M. & Boyd, E. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Dublin Docklands Parent Child Home Programme".
  Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN: 9780905957326
• Share, M. & McCarthy, S. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative’s Stretch to Learn Programme in Primary Schools in the Dublin Docklands". Dublin: National College of Ireland. ISBN: 9780905957340
• Share, M., McCarthy, S., Greene, S. (2011) "Baseline Evaluation of the Early Learning Initiative: Final Report". Dublin: National College of Ireland
  ISBN: 9780905957340

Books

• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2010) "Parental Involvement in Primary Education in Ireland". Liffey Press, Dublin. ISBN 9781905785797

Conference Papers

• McNally, Sinéad, Kent, Gráinne, Fagan, Beth and Bleach, Margaret J. (2015) "Knowledge Exchange in Early Childhood Research and Practice: Findings from the Early Learning Initiative and the National College of Ireland". In: OMEP Ireland AGM and Annual Research Conference, 25th April 2015 University College Cork, Cork.
• Bleach, Margaret J., Kinsella, William and Lalor, Terri (2015) "Assessing Children's Early Mathematics Skills and Concepts". In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 17th-18th February 2015 mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, UK.
• Bleach, Margaret, J., Moore, Michelle and Ward, Moira (2014) "Mathematics for children aged 3 years and under". In: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)'s Maths Conference, 24th November 2014 Dublin Castle Conference Centre, Dublin, Ireland.
• Bleach, Margaret J., Shinnick, Mark and Rourke, Aisling (2014) "Mathematics for children aged 3-4 years". In: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)'s Maths Conference, 24th November 2014 Dublin Castle Conference Centre, Dublin, Ireland.
• Bleach, Margaret J. (2013) "From 18 months to 18 years - Supporting access to third level education". In: Higher Education Authority 2013 Conference: How Equal? Conference on Access to Higher Education in Ireland, 7th November 2013 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2012) "Community Action Research - improving practice and learning through collaboration". In: CARN/IPDC Conference 2012, 23rd-25th November 2012 Ashford International Hotel, Kent, England.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2012) "National Early Years Access Initiative: Dublin Docklands Early Numeracy Project". In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) 22nd Annual Conference, 29th-31st August 2012 Oporto, Portugal.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2012) "Community Action Research: Providing Evidence of Value and Virtue". In: Second International Conference on Value and Virtue in Practice-Based Research Theme: Articulating our Values and Virtues, 11th-12th July 2012 York St John University, UK.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2012) "Using community action research to improve early mathematical outcomes". In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 15th-16th February 2012 Birmingham.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2011) "Implementing Aistear through a Síolta lens". In: Our Children - Our Future Conference, PLE-Pedagogy, Learning and Education Research Conference, 20th-21st October 2011 IT Sligo.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2011) "Developing ECCE practitioners' sense of professionalism through reflective practice and on-going professional development". In: European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) 21st Annual Conference, 14th-17th September 2011, Geneva-Lausanne.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. and Crowe, Brigina (2011) "Discover University - Transitional Skill Development". In: 'Supporting Students in Transition', CSSI 13th Biannual Conference, 15th-16th June 2011 National College of Ireland, Dublin.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2011) "Implementing Values through Community Action Research". In: value and Virtue in Practice-Based Research, An International Conference, 1st-2nd June 2011, York St John University, UK.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. and Crowe, Brigina (2011) "Discover University - PBL Inter-disciplinary Project". In: 'Problem Based Learning (PBL) Today and Tomorrow', Facilitate International Conference, 26th-27th May 2011 Trinity College Dublin.
• Bleach, Margaret, J. (2011) "Using action research to support and develop quality practice". In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 23rd-24th February 2011 Birmingham.
• Fagan, Beth (2012) "Generating knowledge through the Parent Child Home Programme (PHCP)". In: British Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference (BECERA), 15th-16th February 2012 Birmingham.
• Fagan, Beth (2011) "A Good Beginning - The Parent Child Home Programme in Dublin". In: Our Children - Our Future Conference, 20th-21st September 2011 IT Sligo.
• Fagan, Beth (2011) "Parent Child Home Programme (PHCP)". In: 'Childhood Unfolding', World Organisations for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) Ireland Annual Research Conference, 2nd April 2011 Cork.