National Development Officer

Pearse O'Shiel, M.A. in Ed.
Trained as a Steiner primary teacher, Pearse completed a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1992. He has worked for over 18 years with community groups supporting the development of Steiner Kindergartens throughout the country and is currently the National Development Officer of the Irish Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Association . He contributes to a wide range of childcare training courses and works as an independent consultant in Ireland and abroad.

Pearse also works as a national facilitator for Camphill Communities of Ireland and is the chair of the Clare Lifesharing Initiative and of the Ennis Housing Association Ltd.

National Development Officer
Pearse will visit each Kindergarten in the course of 2005 and provide advice and support in the following areas:

• Kindergarten Management
• Policies and Procedures
• Governance for Voluntary Boards
• Employment
• Quality Assurance

Pearse will also speak to parents and wider groups about Steiner Waldorf Childcare.

National Voluntary Childcare Collaborative
Pearse, along with Jane O'Sullivan of the ISKA Council, represents ISKA on the National Voluntary Childcare Collaborative and he attends meetings of the NVCC and of the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee as well as the CECDE Consultative Committee and the consultative group of the NCCA Early Childhood Committee.