Launch of Kildare Art & Ecology Project Report
23rd October 2025: Kildare County Childcare Committee and Creative Places Athy have officially launched their collaborative research report Kildare Art & Ecology project for Babies, Toddlers and Young Children and Childminders and Carers at Athy Library. This early childhood initiative ran from March to May 2024 and was facilitated by multidisciplinary artist, researcher, and early childhood arts lecturer Jackie Maguire, alongside Forest School Educator, artist, researcher and lecturer Trisha MacLaughlin.
The project offered opportunities for babies, toddlers and young children together with their Childminders and carers to engage with the arts and connect with nature in a relaxed atmosphere. It also served as a pilot Staffed Local Network for Childminders in Athy, providing support as they continue to implement the National Action Plan for Childminding.
Speaking at the launch Louise Quinn, Operational Team Lead of Kildare County Childcare Committee commented “The Art and Ecology project for Babies, Toddlers, Young Children, Childminders, and Carers" provided the youngest citizens of Athy with a valuable opportunity to engage with the arts in an outdoor setting, irrespective of weather conditions. This initiative allowed babies, toddlers and young children who naturally explore their surroundings through their senses, to connect with [and develop the love for] nature in an enjoyable and meaningful way. In collaboration with their Childminders and carers, the programme supported the holistic development of these young children, fostering their full potential through the Arts and Outdoor Play.
Furthermore, this project enabled the Kildare County Childcare Committee's Childminding Development Officer to connect with both current and prospective Childminders in Athy. This engagement facilitated the sharing of information regarding the benefits of registration with Tusla and the new childminding-specific regulations, which are appropriate and proportionate to children minded in childminders' own homes, as part of the National Action Plan for Childminding”.
Eláine Donnelly, acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council commended Creative Places Athy and Kildare County Childcare Committee for resourcing this project. She noted the parallels between the Art and Ecology Project and the ambition of Creative Places Athy to “acknowledge, embrace, celebrate, nurture and resource the lives and cultural experiences and expressions of our young citizens and their carers’, and the valuable opportunities [this project presented] to participate and engage in creative activity right on their doorstep”.
The Art & Ecology project was funded by the Creative Places Athy initiative, supported by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Kildare County Council and Kildare County Childcare Committee. The project aims to enhance the quality of childminding provision in Kildare by building relationships and meaningfully engaging with current and prospective childminders, as well as children aged 0-3 years in Athy.
To access the full research report visit www.kccc.ie
