CDI’s Restorative Practices programme highly commended for ‘outstanding work’ in adult education

March 4, 2021: The Childhood Development Initiative’s (CDI) Restorative Practices Training Programme was highly commended at this year’s AONTAS STAR Awards. The Tallaght-based organisation trains adults in Restorative Practices and promotes its use in communities, schools and workplaces – and was highly commended in the Health and Wellbeing Category. The STAR Awards is an initiative organised by the national adult learning […]


4th December 2020

4th December 2020 Section: Agenda: Accompanying Documents: Agenda Agenda 4th December 2021 * Matters for Mention by Chair including HR * Conflicts of Interest * Lobbying Section 1 Minutes and Matters Arising Board Meeting Minutes (2nd October 2020) Section 2 Annual Board Review Section 3 Business Plan December Business Plan Section 4 Finance Policies and […]


100,000th free children’s book delivered in Dublin 24

February 11, 2021: More than 6,700 children – 73% of all 0-5 year olds in Dublin 24 – have signed up to a local free book gifting scheme supported by Dolly Parton, since it was launched two years ago today. This month will see the 100,000th book delivered in the Dublin 24 area, through the […]


New Year Message

Generally at this time of the year, I enjoy the challenge of attempting to write something which might motivate or inspire others. In fairness, given the amazing people I work with, it’s not hard to find wonderful things to say. But right now, as this terrible year comes to a close, I’m struggling to find […]


Engaging Dads, Supporting Families Webinar

  In September we hosted a very insightful webinar on Engaging Dads, Supporting Families with speakers: Doctor Gary Barker – CEO and founder of Promundo Cassius Campbell – Fatherhood Institute Damien Peelo – CEO of Treoir Dave Saunders – CEO of From Lads to Dads Celine Moran and Catarina Leitao -CDI Presentations available below: Gary Barker – Engaging Dads Webinar […]


Role of Dads changing more during COVID-19 than any other period

October 15, 2020: Pandemic raising opportunities and highlighting challenges for Dads COVID-19 is raising new opportunities and highlighting challenges for Dads – as their roles are changing more rapidly than at any other modern period. The changing roles and experiences of Dads were highlighted at a webinar Engaging Dads, Supporting Families, hosted by the Tallaght based Childhood Development […]


European Grant Awarded to CDI to Evaluate Parent Engagement Model

The Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) is delighted to have secured the prestigious Marie Sklodowska – Curie Actions (MSCA) grant enabling us to undertake state of the art research on Parental Engagement and Relationships in Early Childhood (PEAR) starting in May 2020 to conclude in April 2022. Parental support and engagement in early years can have […]


A Homeless Christmas

On Sunday 29th December, that often dreary in-between period when most of us have eaten and drunk too much, and are wondering how on earth we will find the motivation and appetite to get through the required gluttony of New Years’ Eve, a group of volunteers from Tallaght hosted a party for almost 90 families […]



Call for greater supports for families of prisoners

December 19, 2019: A call has been made for parenting support initiatives in prisons and communities to improve outcomes for children with a parent in prison. The research report launched today identifies the negative impacts on families, particularly children, of imprisonment of a parent – and the potential to address these through parenting and family supports […]