Prof. Nóirín Hayes is Visiting Academic at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin and Professor Emerita, Centre for Social and Educational Research, Technological University Dublin. She teaches and researches in early childhood education and care (ECEC) with a particular focus on early learning, curriculum and pedagogy and ECEC policy. She is also the first OMEP Champion and Advocate for Early Childhood Education and Care Ireland.

Dr Thomas Walsh is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Education, Maynooth University. His teaching and research interests include history of education, education policy, early childhood education and curriculum studies. He has previously worked as a primary school teacher, an ECEC researcher and as a primary school inspector.