Mrs C's Early Years Education forum NI

17/06/2026

A huge congratulations to all the students who were prize winners today at the South West College DGN Celebration of Success 🤩❤️👏🏽! It really isn’t easy to choose when all of you are truly brilliant - so proud of all the students, many congratulations on your achievements this year 🥳 xx

We had a special extra trophy go to HLPS this year, with Early Years student Katie Eccles awarded the David Shackels Cup for outstanding contribution to college life - a big well done from all the team for always carrying the values of CCLD into what you do, Katie 🫶🏽❤️! xx

11/06/2026

Happy International Play Day 🥳💜!

I’m very lucky to see play be a part of every day but today reminds us just how vital it is for holistic development, self-esteem, friendships, and wellbeing (plus so much more!)

Children have a right to play, to a safe place for play, and for advocates to protect that right. Whether it’s chalks on the pavement, climbing trees, to policymakers approaching decisions with play as a priority - I hope it’s a playful, wonderful day 🤩❤️💫!

10/06/2026

25/05/2026

Anyone else watch ‘Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together’ 🤩👏🏽

Not only a great focus, showing the value of a role in the sector, but also fabulous to see Northern Ireland showcased with one of the brilliant intergenerational projects that takes place to bring community together ❤️!

When I first started researching intergenerational projects, I was fortunate to work with partners across NI, and internationally, who have led the way to make this a much more regular feature for colleges and schools. It was a real privilege to highlight this work in my book and it is just brilliant to see the value of intergenerational programmes shown in Natalie’s documentary 💫

Looking forward to the next episode and best of luck to with her training 🫶🏽 - inspiring 😍!

lovefe

➡️ Intergenerational Practice in Schools and Settings: https://amzn.eu/d/0jdRddLT

17/05/2026

Such a brilliant time had at our Early Years Conference 🩷! It was wonderful to host so many practitioners from across NI to our event. Many thanks to all of our workshop facilitators 👏🏽🤩

12/05/2026

Our last day in Beijing before we took the bullet train over 1000km to Xi’an 🤩!

This morning we explored the forbidden city, before we headed to Beijing Experimental High School, where we had such a warm welcome 🌹. It was great to see the school’s students take the lead in today’s tour and for us to gain a greater understanding of school life. We have definitely made friendships today that will go on after our trip. The art lesson was a fab way to interact and learn something new!

Huge appreciation for our tour guide Nancy, who has made sure we could see so many wonderful sites in the city and teach us about the history of Beijing 🫶🏽

11/05/2026

It was great to hear from South West College student’s today that our visit to Beijing Guangqumen High School was a real highlight of the trip so far 🤩🌹! It was fabulous to explore our shared values and make new friends at the school. We were so delighted to join an English class, table tennis, and peking opera lesson. For me personally, being part of the English lesson was a real treat (you can’t beat teaching 😍) and I’m so pleased to see new friendships formed. A great first day of visiting partner schools 👏🏽

Just like home, sharing food is a real way of coming together, and it was fab to be in the hussle of the canteen eating lunch and chatting about our routine at SWC. Many thanks to the school team for the warm welcome 🤝

10/05/2026

It has been a whirlwind 48 hours but wow! It is such a privilege for myself and Tom to accompany 8 South West College students to China this week 🇨🇳!

Since our arrival this morning we have been to an Ai exhibition, the Great Wall of China, the Olympic Village, and tried authentic peking duck. Many thanks to Consul General Li Nan and team for creating such an exciting itinerary for the HLPS Study China team ✈️🌹

Day one done 🎉. Students are representing SWC so well and we hope these memories stay with them a lifetime 🫶🏽

06/05/2026

Local job post ⬇️

🌟 Maternity Cover Opportunity – Cookstown 🌟

We are recruiting an Early Years Practitioner (24 hours) for a maternity cover post, based within our Developmental Programme in Cookstown.

✨ No qualifications required – this role is the perfect way to start your early years career.
If you are interested in working with children and gaining valuable experience and training, this is a fantastic opportunity.

✅ 24 hours per week (maternity cover)
✅ Based in Cookstown
✅ Developmental Programme setting
✅ Great training and learning opportunities
✅ Rewarding work supporting children and families

Please share with anyone who may be interested in beginning a career in early years. 💛

✨Apply now:
https://jobs.barnardos.org.uk/vacancy/early-years-practitioner-maternity-cover-july-2027-22926/23876/description/

04/05/2026

Many congratulations to Ursula ❤️👏🏽!