From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 

Published on 20 September 2023 

Last updated on 20 September 2023

1. Introduction

2. Resources for Staff

3. Resources for Practice 

Introduction

We have all witnessed the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis as more and more people are forced to flee their homes. We all want to do what we can to help those in need.

At both local and national government level in Ireland provisions are being made available to give Ukrainians fleeing the conflict a warm welcome. At local level City and County Childcare Committees are supporting Ukrainian children and families with access and participation to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services. We know that many ELC/SAC services have already welcomed children and families into their settings and many more will do so over the coming weeks and months.

There are links below to a number of resources for practice and for staff. They are intended to be of benefit to early years educators, school-age practitioners, children and families in many different circumstances across all communities. They are intended to support the well-being and inclusion of refugee children both from Ukraine and from other conflict zones.

Every ELC and SAC setting is different and service providers will need to use their professional judgement in determining how best to welcome and support children and families while ensuring high quality practice to support children’s well-being, learning and development.

The well-being, health and safety of children, their families and those working in the sector is a priority. This web-page provides guidance and signposting for service providers on the supports and resources available to ELC and SAC services. More resources will be added to this web-page over the coming weeks. You are therefore advised to check for updates.

Resources for Staff

This page contains a number of resources and supports to guide and assist providers, educators and practitioners in relation to their own well-being.

• Going Home Checklist

• Team wellbeing in ELC

• Wellbeing Webinar Part 1: Welcome and introductions; what is self-care and how to do it.

• Wellbeing Webinar Part 2: Listening without personalising, the art of separateness.

• Wellbeing Webinar Part 3: We can only give our best, and final thoughts.

Resources for Practice

This page contains a number of resources and supports to guide and assist educators and practitioners in relation to supporting children's well-being, learning and development.

• Talking to children about war

• Supporting children from Ukraine - Transitions

• Supporting children from Ukraine - The ELC environment

• Supporting children from Ukraine - The healing power of being outdoors

• Together With Refugees Reading Guide

• Supporting children from Ukraine - Wellbeing

• Play & Emotional Wellbeing

• Supporting children from Ukraine - Transitions into School Age Childcare Settings

• Supporting children from Ukraine - Promoting resilience and recovery in ELC

• Nurturing a culturally and linguistically responsive environment - Video 1

• Nurturing a culturally and linguistically responsive environment - Video 2

• Nurturing a culturally and linguistically responsive environment - Video 3

• Mindfulness in Early Learning and Care, Resource Booklet

• Mindful Moments Poster

• Video 1: Introduction to Mindfulness

• Video 2: Mindfulness Monkey Mind

• Video 3: Mindfulness Flower Breathing

• Video 4: Mindfulness Kind Wishes

• Video 5: Mindfulness Hot Chocolate Breathing

• Video 6: Mindfulness Mindful Listening

• Video 7: Mindfulness Mindful Touches

• Video 8: Mindfulness of Senses

Information for Parents:

• Supports for children with disabilities to access early childhood care and education

• Поддержка детей с ограниченными возможностями в доступе к дошкольному воспитанию и образованию

• Підтримка дітей з обмеженими можливостями в доступі до дошкільного виховання та освіти

• A Parent's Guide To Childcare In Ireland

• Руководство для родителей по уходу за детьми в Ирландии

• Керівництво для батьків по догляду за дітьми в Ірландії

• Supporting Children and Parents, a collection of resources that children and parents may find helpful

• Young Children Grieve Too - A Guide for Parents and Carers of Children Under 6 Who Have Been Bereaved

• МАЛЕНЬКИЕ ДЕТИ ТОЖЕ ГЛУБОКО СКОРБЯТ Пособие для родителей и опекунов детей в возрасте до 6 лет, переживших потерю близкого человека

• МАЛЕНЬКІ ДІТИ ТЕЖ ГЛИБОКО СУМУЮТЬ Посібник для батьків та опікунів дітей віком до 6 років, які зазнали втрати

• ПАМ’ЯТАЙ ПРО РІЗНИЦЮ Посібник для батьків та опікунів школярів та молоді, які пережили втрату близької людини