Little Steps, Big Futures:The Podcast

As Early Years Professionals we are always trying to learn more and develop our skills and we have found that there is little to no help for Educators to find information for parents or have access to professionals to find more information. We have teamed up with some amazing guest speakers for this webinar: Tuesday August 3rd: Edel Lawlor - Play Therapist Thursday August 5th: Jessica Sinclair - M...

Today Aoife and Jenny chat about what parents should look out for when choosing a Childcare Setting and what they should bring in for their first day! The advice given during this episode comes from our own experiences so always ask your provider if you have any questions. We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_fut...

This week we chat with Amanda Cambridge. While holidaying in Spain, Amanda lost her 3 year old little boy Avery in a tragic accident, when he fell into the swimming pool. Amanda bravely takes us through that day and what happened and how she has dealt with the loss of her son and her grief. Amanda released a new water safety campaign with Water Safety Ireland called 'The Hold Hands Programme&...

This week on the Podcast we chat with Louise O' Leary - a pediatric Occupational Therapist. Louise explains what her everyday routine looks like working with children from a very young age up to 18 year of age. As parents, Occupational Therapy can sound like a daunting place for your child but through this conversation Louise gives us an insight into what an Occupational Therapist can do for...

This week we chat to Teresa, a Primary School Principal,  about transitions from Preschool to Primary School. Teresa tells us why having good communication between the preschool and the primary school is beneficial for the children, how Educators can work together to share information and help ease the move from one environment to another. We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/...

On Wednesday the 9th of June, we went Live on Instagram with Tessa, The Sleepy Mammy to chat all about safe sleep in the home and the Childcare Setting. Here is the recording. We hope you enjoy it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/li...

This week we are chatting all about opening up those lines of communication with parents attending your Childcare Service. We chat about some tips that have worked for us in the past, share our own personal experiences and discuss why building trusting relationships with parents  is so so important.  We hope you love it! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instag...

This week we chat to Deirdre Holland Hannon - a Beahvioural Specialist. Deirdre chats to us about how she came to be a behavioural specialist and the journey she took to get there. This year has been tough on everybody, especially the children and behavior can often be impacted by change. Deirdre talks us through some behaviours that can arise at home or in creche/preschool and answers some questi...

This week we chat to the amazing Nicola Lavin. 15 years after getting bitten by a tick during a J1 holiday in Montauk,  Nicola was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Nicola chats to us about the signs and symptoms, some more obvious than others, and what we can do to protect ourselves while enjoying the outdoors. Nicola struggled for 15 long years, raised a son, got married and still had no idea why she...

This week we chat to Clarisse, currently living in Geneva and mom to a beautiful little boy called Marcus. Clarisse chats to us about raising Marcus so far away from family and how they celebrate Marcus' diverse cultural background. Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_...

This week we chat with Drew Vernon,  Marketing Director at Tonies , former Brand Director at Lego, former Marketing Researcher for P&G, founder of 'Moppets' drop in childcare and a loving father. Drew came on to chat to us about the fast growing product called the Toniebox. 'The Toniebox uses audio storytelling to introduce pre-readers and developing readers to the wonders of na...

This is a very special episode this week. We are remembering a very special person; a wife, a mother, a sister, a loyal friend and a very respected member of the community in Killarney. Jenny shares her mom's story and journey with us today and we ask that you be patient and kind while you listen. This week, today and always, we are remembering Kay McCarthy. Link to the fundraiser in aid of t...

This week we chat to a fellow hometown native, Michael Keogh. Mike moved to Shanghai, China to teach English to Early Learners but the road to China wasn't as easy as planned. After escaping two lockdowns in China and Ireland, Mike is now back teaching in Shanghai. We chat about what China was like during COVID and how teaching became a passion of Mikes. Mike talks about his journey and his s...

This week we are chatting to Aisling & Teresa from Just Two Cailíní. Aisling & Teresa chat to us about their experience of working from home full time and raising two small children each over the past year. We get an insight into their day to day life since March 2020 and chat about what the future holds for both ladies. We hope you love it! For more please check out: https://www.instagram...

This week we chat to kelsey Komorowski from Komo Consulting. Komo is an Educational Consulting Firm whose tagline, 'We transform struggling students into thriving learners with the skills to succeed not just on the next test or essay, but in life.' In this episode we talk about the education systems and how they may differ in each country, we share our own educational experience and spea...

This week we chat to Tessa O' Connor, a Paediatric Sleep Consultant. We are talking all things sleep from birth to Childcare and everything in between. Tessa gives us some great advice for parents who are trying to establish a flexible sleep pattern and answers some questions we got from Instagram. Please always consult your family doctor or reach out to a sleep consultant if you have any iss...

This week we have a very special episode.  We had the privilege to chat to some amazing children about COVID19 and their experiences during lockdown. The children in this episode have brought us so much joy and laughter and we really hope you all enjoy it too! Support us: https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ Support us: https://www.inst...

This week we chat to fellow Podcaster, Niamh Byrne from the N-dustry Podcast. What influence does Social media and apps like Instagram and TikTok have on young people? In this episode, we chat about how our childhood was vastly differnet to childhood today, the effects of social media on young peoples confidence, Mental Health and Education and should we bring screen time into the classroom in a m...

This week we sit down with Alanna Kiely to chat about the pressures put on young people to get married, settle down and have children. Alanna opens up about her feelings around topic and why she is happy in her relationship as it is right now. We would love to here from you! If you have an opinion about our discussion please email us at littlestepsbigfutures@gmail.com. Support us: https://www.face...

This week we chat about the recent Government Announcement (February 25th) and the plan for reopening schools and extending the opening of the Childcare Sector. We discuss the reality of what that will look like for children, families, Early Years Professional, Childcare Providers, Childminders, Afterschools and Teachers. Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram or email us at littlestepsbigfutu...

Today we chat to Kate Veale. Kate is is an Irish Racewalker, she was the World Youth Champion in the 5 kilometre Racewalk (2011), and has also represented Ireland at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. Kate talks to us about becoming a single mother at a young age while trying to balance her sporting career, how she battled injuries and the disapointment of missing two Olympic opportunities, and how h...

In this episode we chat to Selina Looney, the founder of The Mama Movement.  The Mama Movement is a unique community and focuses on Pregnancy Fitness, Mama and baby fitness, Mama and toddler fitnes, 1 to 1 Pregnancy Fitness Consultation and Personal Training. Selina chats to us about her journey creating The Mama Movement all while raising 3 boys, the pressures of being perfect on social media and...

We are back!  Welcome back to Season 2 of Little Steps, Big Futures: The Podcast.  In this episode Aoife and Jenny catch up  and chat about some very important self care topics.  If you or somebody you love needs help free phone: Samaritans on 116-123 Support us: https://www.instagram.com/little_steps_big_futures/ https://www.facebook.com/littlestepsbigfutures

Welcome back to this Bonus episode of Little Steps, Big Futures: The Podcast!  We will be officially launching Season 2 on February 4th but in light of all the recent Irish Government announcements around the schools and the education system, we felt we had to come on and have a little chat about how those decisions affected the Early Years Sector.  *Please note that all opinons and views expresse...

As 2020 draws to a close, we wanted to thank you - our listeners - for all your love and support. We are so grateful to each an every one of you and we would not be here without you. Here's to more love and laughter in 2021!  From our family here at Little Steps, Big Futures to yours, Happy Christmas. We hope it is filled with peace, love, and happiness! Stay safe and we'll see you next...