The objectives of the project were for Early Years Educators to explore and consider the approach to play, wellbeing and involvement in early years settings in Ireland and Croatia. To learn about the theory and value of play and how play supports high levels of wellbeing and involvement based on Self Determination Theory (Ryan and Deci 2000, 2017). It was hoped that the Early Years Educators would develop skills and competences to measure children's levels of wellbeing and involvement, based on their participation on the programme and that following their participation Early Years Educators would be more confident and empower to promote the value of play and playful learning to parents and the Early Childhood Education and Care community, resulting in improved quality early years provision and outcomes for young children.
I applied for this project as I have worked in Early Childhood Education ad Care (ECEC) for over thirty years. Currently I am a lecturer on a BA ECEC programme. The students on the programme come to University to upskill and they access at year 2 as they all have a major award at level 6 in ECEC. All of the students / educators are working in the ECEC sector, primarily mature women with caring responsibilities who are upskilling for professional development and to improve the quality of provision for children. Because of their role working as ECEC educators, where pay and conditions are always a challenge, these ECEC educators would not have the opportunity to undertake an international study visit from a financial or time perspective. I applied for this Erasmus project to support early years educators to avail of the experiences off. Opportunities for international travel for ECEC Educators Peer learning particularly in relation to play and wellbeing. Set up two communities of practice one in Galway and one in Mayo to support ongoing learning and networking. The project has given visibility to the important role of ECEC educators to parents, educators, children through the printing of 41 posters displayed in ECEC settings