Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs launches Early
Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation
(IHF) Hospice Home Care for Children Programme
Minister Frances Fitzgerald launched Early Childhood Ireland’s National Pyjama Day
encouraging children and childcare professionals around the country to save the date
of March 8th and to put on their pyjamas in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF)
Hospice Home Care for Children Programme. This fundraising initiative, now in its
10th year, is run by Early Childhood Ireland, the representative group for preschools
and daycare centres nationwide, supporting over 110,000 young children and their
families. The organisers say that, in additional to the fun and fundraising element of
this campaign, National Pyjama Day is an ideal reminder to families nationwide about
the importance of bedtime routines, especially reading stories, for young children
which really aids language and literature skills in the crucial early years.
Since its establishment in 2003, National Pyjama Day has raised over €1.73 million
for children’s charities in Ireland and this year Early Childhood Ireland hopes to raise
another €250,000 for the IHF’s Hospice Home Care for Children Programme which
has been the recipient charity for the past 3 years. On a national level, it is estimated
that over 1,400 children are living with life-limiting illness in Ireland and funds raised
by National Pyjama Day will be used by the IHF to fund five out of eight Children’s
Outreach Nurses (Pyjama Day nurses) in the community. This vital programme offers
support to families caring for seriously ill children in their own homes.
Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs said “The positivity
emanating from this campaign is palpable and its success is down to the dedication,
hard work, and community spirit amongst the childcare professionals, parents and
children taking part. The key message of children helping children and having fun in
the process has real appeal and I want to thank Early Childhood Ireland for
spearheading this initiative and for keeping it fun, fresh and alive, year after year. To
those working hard in preschools and crèches around the country and providing such
a valuable service to young children and their families, I say if you’re not signed up
already, get those pyjamas out and help make National Pyjama Day 2013 another
huge success to the benefit of all.
Irene Gunning, CEO, Early Childhood Ireland said “While the emphasis is very much
on fun and children helping children for such a great cause, this campaign is also a
serious reminder about the importance of stories and reading together, particularly at
bedtime, a family tradition that is just too important to lose. Young children need
positive routines and putting on their pyjamas is a signal for relaxation and some
quality reading time with Mam or Dad – far away from the TV, iPad and mobile phone
which must not be allowed to take over this precious time with children. I want to
encourage as many preschool and daycare centres as possible to jump on board and
to support National Pyjama Day on Friday March 8th.”
Sharon Foley, CEO of The Irish Hospice Foundation, said “Early Childhood Ireland
and through them childcare professionals, parents and children around Ireland have
been centrally involved in helping the Irish Hospice Foundation to develop a
dedicated home care service for seriously ill children. When our partnership began in
2011, one Children’s Outreach Nurse was in place. On National Pyjama Day 2013,
thanks to this partnership, we have a Medical Consultant in place along with three
Children’s Outreach nurses and another four are about to take up their posts. Their
role is to support families and provide quality care at home for children with lifelimiting conditions. I would like to thank the ECI community for allowing families the
choice to care for their children at home.“
Anyone involved in the early childhood care and education sector can participate in
National Pyjama Day by registering online through www.earlychildhoodireland.ie and
clicking the Pyjama Day Button for more information.
Ends.
Further information: Irene Gunning 087 4174004 or Carmel Doyle 087 2473537