Child-Led Planning in Practice
Emergent, child-led planning is often talked about but harder to implement consistently. This workshop shows how to build a planning cycle genuinely rooted in children's observed interests, without losing the structure that Aistear and Síolta expect, or overwhelming your team's paperwork load.
Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.
Who this is for
For educators, room leaders and managers responsible for planning who want a genuinely child-led, sustainable planning cycle.
What we cover in the hour
- The difference between a themed plan and a genuinely child-led plan.
- Using observations to generate planning ideas rather than the other way round.
- Building flexibility into weekly plans so interests can shift mid-week.
- Documenting child-led planning in a way that satisfies Aistear/Síolta expectations.
- Involving children directly in planning conversations, even non-verbally.
- Keeping the planning cycle sustainable for a busy team.
What you'll leave with
- A child-led planning cycle template.
- Guidance on turning an observation into a planning idea.
- A flexible weekly plan format that allows for mid-week changes.
- Documentation phrases that satisfy quality review expectations.
- A sustainable planning rhythm for a busy team.
Inside the booklet
The booklet includes the child-led planning cycle template and the flexible weekly plan format.
This workshop connects all four Aistear themes — Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Communicating, and Exploring and Thinking — to planning practice, and supports Síolta Standard 6, Play.
How it can be delivered
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed | €20 per person |
| Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand | €35 per person |
| Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135) | from €25 |
| Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5 | €35 per person |
| Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6 | €45 per person |
No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.
Common questions
- Will this add to our team's paperwork?
- The intention is the opposite — a leaner, more flexible planning format that reduces time spent on paperwork disconnected from what children are actually doing.
- How do we make child-led planning work with inspection expectations?
- The documentation approach covered is designed to clearly show the link between observation and planning, which is exactly what reviewers look for under Aistear/Síolta.
- What if children's interests change halfway through a themed week?
- That is exactly what the flexible weekly plan format addresses — it is built to allow genuine changes in direction without needing to scrap and rewrite the whole plan.
- Does this pair well with the Effective Observations workshop?
- Yes, very well — strong observations are the foundation this planning approach is built on, and many settings book both sessions together.
- Is this suitable for baby and toddler rooms, where 'planning' looks different?
- Yes, the principles adapt to baby and toddler rooms, with planning centred on routines and individual interests rather than group themes.
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More in this theme: Curriculum planning · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates
Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.
Trusted early years resources
Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.
- Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA)
- Síolta: the National Quality Framework
- Children First national guidance (Tusla)
- First 5: Ireland's strategy for babies & young children
- Early Childhood Ireland
Workshop themes · Book a date · Counties we serve · Play & learning blog · FAQ · About Amy