The third National Children First Awareness Week (CFAW) will take place from September 15th –21st 2025. This national campaign aims to raise awareness of Children First and remind all of us of our shared responsibility to protect and safeguard children and young people in our communities.

This year, a particular emphasis will be put on encouraging parents and guardians to ask questions of those who provide services to their children, to ensure they are compliant with the Children First Act 2015, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017), and Tusla's Child Safeguarding: A Guide for Policy, Procedure and Practice. 

Supporting parents to support their children

“Research in Ireland and internationally consistently finds that parents have a powerful influence on their children's educational and social development. This is also reflected in the Irish constitution which recognises the crucial role of the family as the natural and primary educator of the child (Article 42.1, 1937) with rights and duties to active participation in the child's education. It is vital to support parents to fully realise their constitutional role as the primary educators of their children. Child service providers must be ready to reassure parents that child safeguarding is a priority.” said Dr. Josephine Bleach, Director of the Early Learning Initiative. 

Child safeguarding at NCI

National College of Ireland is home to the Early Learning Initiative (ELI). The college recently launched a PlayLab and Sanctuary, which provides a resource to children all across Dublin city and offers hands-on experience for students studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care (both day-time and evening delivery).

NCI adheres to a child safeguarding policy aligned with legislation and Tusla guidelines and agreed by NCl's Governing Body. This Child Safeguarding Statement is publicly displayed on campus.

All staff at NCI undertake Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Protection Traiing. Staff at ELI all have specific early childhood education and care qualifications.

What Does ELI Do? 
The Early Learning Initiative at National College of Ireland was developed to address the problem of educational underachievement in marginalised communities. ELI’s mission is to work with communities in areas of greatest need, to provide world-class parent and child learning support programmes. 
Research conducted in Ireland and beyond shows that early learning is the foundation for all learning that will follow in a child’s life. Differences can be seen in language and numerical developments between children from wealthier vs disadvantaged backgrounds from as early as three years of age. This gap will only continue to widen if it is not addressed before children go to playschool. It is an unfortunate reality that without early interventions from programmes like ELI, for many children from disadvantaged areas, their chances to thrive as they grow up are decided before they even have the chance to enter formal education. The Early Learning Initiative aims to break those generational cycles by making education accessible to all through various methods of supporting families. 

How Does ELI Achieve These Goals? 
The work of ELI is made possible because of the many people who come together to ensure that young people and their families are given the support they need to develop the skills and knowledge needed to allow them to thrive and achieve their academic, career, and personal life goals. This support comes in the form of training, activities, and supports for children, parents, guardians, and educators from birth, delivered by ELI’s network of parents, guardians, Public Healthcare nurses, community and youth workers alongside corporate volunteers and educators from primary to third level.

To learn more about the Early Learning Initiative and how you can show your support, visit the official ELI homepage.