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Small Print Book-gifting Application

NCN is delighted to share an exciting opportunity in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland for the Small Print Programme. Preschool settings in receipt of Equal Start in ROI and Preschools/Nursery Schools in Northern Ireland in areas of Sure Start and Neighbourhood Renewal can apply.

The Small Print Programme aims to nurture a love of books and reading among children aged 0–5, encouraging shared reading experiences through a wonderful selection of contemporary picturebooks in English and Irish.

Funded by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2026/27, through Community Foundation Ireland, this initiative will support 135 preschool/Nursery School settings with:

  • A specially selected collection of ten high-quality picturebooks.
  • A printed resource packed with playful, creative ideas linked to the themes of Aistear, Ireland’s early childhood curriculum framework.
  • Posters and resources to help families enjoy shared reading experiences at home.

The programme celebrates the joy of storytelling, supports early language and literacy development, and helps ensure children from all backgrounds have opportunities to experience the many benefits of books and shared reading.

Applications are now open, and participating settings will be selected through an application process. Successful settings should be willing to share feedback to Children’s Books Ireland and National Childhood Network on using the books and resources.

NCN encourages eligible Equal Start settings and Preschools/Nursery Schools in Northern Ireland in areas of Sure Start and Neighbourhood Renewal to explore this wonderful opportunity and apply.

If you have any queries, please contact info@ncn.ie or Aoife McDonnell, Book-gifting Manager at Children’s Books Ireland, by emailing her at aoife.mcdonnell@childrensbooksireland.ie Closing date is 6th November

Thank you!
1.Your name
2.Your early childhood education setting name
3.Contact phone number
4.Contact email address
5.Early childhood education setting address
6.How many children in total attend your early childhood education setting?
7.Please give us an overview of how many rooms you have in your setting, the age ranges in each room, and the number of children in each room.
8.In 100 words or less, tell us how you currently foster the joy and love of reading in your setting and how you would plan to integrate the Small Print books, resources and posters into the Aistear or Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education in Northern Ireland curriculum?
9.Can you describe how you currently use books to explore Aistear or Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education in Northern Ireland principles?
10.Are there any books that you have found particularly useful in your early childhood education setting?
11.As part of measuring the impact of the Small Print programme we will ask childcare settings to feedback on the programme, through a short survey. Please confirm that this will be possible in your setting.