Hello, I'm Amy Byrne
My heart has always belonged to children. I became an early childhood educator because I genuinely love being with little ones — watching them think, feel, play and make sense of the world in their own wonderful way. Through Roots of Wonder I help parents and early years educators slow down, tune in and better understand the child in front of them.
Nature and animals are a huge part of my life too. I run my own animal sanctuary, Forever Home Sanctuary, where rescued animals find safety, love and a place to belong. That same spirit of care, patience and respect for every living creature flows through everything I do with children and families.
Qualifications & experience
Every leaf on this tree is a chapter of learning — years of study, training and hands-on work with children that shape every workshop I run.
BA (Hons) — Level 8
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education & Care.
Postgraduate — Level 9
Currently studying Play Therapy at postgraduate level.
Diploma — Level 3
Diploma in Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Outdoor Learning
Certificate — The Importance of Outdoor Learning.
Children First
Children First e-Learning Programme completed.
Mandated Person
Trained mandated person under Children First guidance.
4 Years' Experience
Direct childcare in leadership & supervisory roles.
Why I do this
I believe every child deserves to be truly seen. My workshops are built around a simple hope: to help the adults in a child's life understand them a little better — their feelings, their behaviour, their play and their needs. When we understand children, we can respond with patience instead of pressure, and connection instead of correction.
My work is grounded in the belief that behaviour is communication and that play is a child's first language. Sessions are warm, practical and rooted in early years and play-based learning theory, with a gentle, child-centred awareness woven throughout.
Questions about Amy's training and scope
Qualifications, safeguarding, insurance and the professional boundary of this work.
Is Amy a qualified play therapist?
Not yet, and it matters to say so plainly. Amy is currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy. She holds a BA (Hons) at NFQ Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her workshops are education and support for adults, never therapy, assessment or diagnosis for a child.What qualifications does Amy hold?
A BA (Hons) at NFQ Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Level 3 diploma in Animal-Assisted Therapy, a certificate in outdoor learning, and Children First training as a Mandated Person. She is currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy and has four years of childcare leadership experience.Do staff get certificates, and do they count towards a Quality Action Plan?
Every participant receives a dated certificate of attendance naming the workshop, the date and the hour completed. Settings routinely file these as evidence of ongoing professional development in a Síolta Quality Action Plan. They are not CPD points, because that requires separate registration with an awarding body.Are you Children First trained and insured?
Yes. Amy Byrne has completed Children First training through Tusla and acts as a Mandated Person, and Roots of Wonder carries public liability and professional indemnity insurance. Certificates and insurance details are available on request before you book, which most settings need for their own compliance file.What is Forever Home Sanctuary?
Forever Home Sanctuary is the animal sanctuary Amy runs alongside Roots of Wonder. It shapes the work directly: caring for animals gives children a gentle, unhurried way into empathy, responsibility and regulation, and it is where the nature-based and animal-assisted ideas in the outdoor workshops come from.Where is Roots of Wonder based?
Gorey, County Wexford. In-person workshops run across Leinster and Munster, community evenings are held locally at Gorey Enterprise Centre, and live online workshops reach parents and settings in every county in Ireland, including Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare and Donegal.
More answers on pricing, refunds and setting packages are on the full FAQ page, or send Amy a message.