NCN, in partnership with other organisations, are once again hosting Childhood Services Week, from 11th–15th May 2026. Childhood Services Week is an opportunity for NCN to celebrate the work of the Early Childhood and School Age Childcare sector across the island of Ireland.
The theme for Childhood Services Week this year is ‘Sustain the Spark’ – keeping the creative light on for every child.
During Childhood Services Week itself, we will also host online workshops for children. These workshops will provide opportunities for children to access the arts and become involved in many creative ways. For example, The National Gallery of Ireland has engaged an artist to interact virtually with preschool and school-age children, who will then create their own masterpieces. We will also welcome Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg, who will provide a live read-along of her wonderful book Letters to a Monster and from The Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann, we welcome author Nora Corcoran with a reading of her wonderful children’s book Annie’s Little Traveller Life.
To bring the celebrations to a close, Dr. Geraldine French will deliver our keynote webinar, Experiencing Wonder & Awe Through Slow Relational Pedagogy, on Thursday, 14th May at 7pm.
We will also invite Early Childhood settings and families across the island of Ireland to engage with the National Childhood Network and send us their pictures and videos throughout the week.
#ChildhoodServicesWeek #CSW26 #SustainTheSpark #ChildhoodArts