Childhood Development Initiative
Share
Every child in Ireland deserves to be thriving, healthy, happy and free from poverty, and CDI is dedicated to making this happen.
https://linktr.ee/childhooddevelopmentinitiative
CRA - 20065577 CDI is one of three sites which constitute the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) in Ireland, and is jointly funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP). The three sites, (CDI, Youngballymun and Preparing for Life) were set up with “the objective of testing innovative ways of delivering services and early interventions for children and young people, including the wider family and community settings.” (DCYA, 2011)
CDI is based in Tallaght West and is the result of the professionalism, passion and persistence of a group of 23 concerned individuals and organisations in the community, who had a vision of a better place for children. Through innovative partnerships, they brought together the science of evidenced-based practice and rigorous evaluation, with the spirit of an approach focused on the identified needs of children and families. A partnership was agreed between Government and The Atlantic Philanthropies and the consortium’s first piece of work was a needs analysis entitled “How Are Our Kids?” (HAOK, 2004). A number of priorities were agreed based on this research, one of which was the set up and incorporation of CDI in 2007. Following this a number of programmes were designed and delivered between 2007-2011. Our programmes for Tallaght West are the Early Years Programme; Doodle Den - Literacy Programme for Senior Infant Children; Mate-Tricks - Pro-Social Behaviour Programme for 4th Class Children; Healthy Schools Programme - A Whole School Approach; Early Intervention Speech and Language Therapy; Community Safety Initiative; Safe and Healthy Place Initiative; Restorative Practice; and the Quality Enhancement Programme. All CDI programmes are evidence-informed and manualised, and are delivered through existing structures and services. CDI has a core role in promoting quality, fidelity, value for money and added value. All elements of our work are rigorously and independently evaluated and we are committed to sharing the learning and experiences from Tallaght West, in order to inform and shape future policy, practice, training and curriculum development.
27/09/2026
Guess who Ryan Tubridy is interviewing this morning! Marian Quinn, listen in, 10am-1pm.
Friday was Day. CDI needs 12 sponsors to fund one month of book gifting each year.
Help protect a programme that reaches more than 5,000 children every month. Without new funding, CDI may be forced to close its Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
The impact on the lives of the real children of Dublin 24. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is about opportunity, equity and giving every child the chance to thrive. At a time when concerns about literacy, educational disadvantage and child wellbeing remain prominent, CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is helping children start life with stories, language and imagination.
Contact [email protected]
Or Donate now — link in bio and comments
We thank Post for their continued support delivering books to every child.
See less
I love hearing how important CDI’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is to our Dublin 24 children. day
Contact us [email protected] if you can sponsor us
25/09/2026
Fun times SDCC Libraries Tallaght tomorrow for National Public Library Day!
We are all set for National Public Libraries Open Day tomorrow, Saturday, 26 September.
We have a fantastic programme of events planned for you and your family from 11am-4:30pm in Tallaght Library.
From creative workshops, live traditional music, storytelling, giant games and circus science fun, there is some thing for everyone!
We look forward to welcoming you! 😊
25/09/2026
National Public Library day tomorrow!
Join the library for free! Everyone welcome!
No late fines! No worries!
Visit Tallaght Library tomorrow (Saturday, 26th September) for National Public Libraries Open Day to take a closer look at what is available and discover what free library membership can offer you!
From books, eBooks and audiobooks to learning resources, events, creative activities, online courses, language-learning resources, public computers and Wi-Fi, and welcoming spaces in your community. There is something for everyone.
Your Library. Take a Closer Look.
25/09/2026
Today is Day, and we at CDI are seeking 12 sponsors to fund one month of book gifting each year = €8K per month. Help protect a programme that reaches more than 5,000 children every month. Without new funding, CDI may be forced to close its Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
Watch this News2day feature in comments and hear about the impact on the lives of the real children of Dublin 24. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is about opportunity, equity and giving every child the chance to thrive. At a time when concerns about literacy, educational disadvantage and child wellbeing remain prominent, CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is helping children start life with stories, language and imagination.
“I remember I always used to get excited. Even if it was raining, I used to always see the book coming out of the post box, and I used to always jump around, even if it was wet.”
“Because I want to get smarter and I want to learn about every book in the world.”
Become a Sponsor . Contact [email protected]
Or Donate now — link in bio and comments
We thank Post for their continued support delivering books to every child.
24/09/2026
CHI at TUH closed for 4 days
The CHI (Children's Health Ireland) children's emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital will temporarily close from 12.01am on Friday 25 September, until 8am on Tuesday 29 September 2026. This is due to a transition from Tallaght University Hospital Systems to CHI systems.
During this time, if you need emergency care for children or young people, you should go to CHI children's emergency department at Crumlin Emergency Department.
24/09/2026
Give Like Dolly day Friday 25th September.
We're looking for sponsors to Help Save Dolly Parton's Imagination Library so we can continue to gift a book each month to 5000 children in Dublin 24.
‘Urgent appeal’ to help save Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library | Echo.ie SPRINGFIELD-based Childhood Development Initiative has made an “urgent appeal” to the community as they prepare to take part in the first-ever Give Like Dolly Day on Friday. CDI, based out of St Mark’s Youth and Family Centre on Fettercairn Road, is actively looking for sponsors to help save D...
This Friday, 25 September, is Day, a new global day of giving honouring Dolly Parton's lifelong commitment to children, literacy and giving back.
We're calling on businesses, philanthropists and community leaders to Help Save CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
Every month, more than 5,000 children in Dublin 24 are gifted a book through CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
Without new funding, CDI may be forced to close its Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24. Can you help secure the future of one of Ireland's most successful early literacy programmes and ensure that children in Dublin 24 continue to receive the gift of a book every month?
We want 12 sponsors to fund one month of book deliveries each year for the next three years, helping secure the future of this proven early literacy programme.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is about more than literacy. It’s about opportunity, equity and giving every child the chance to thrive. At a time when concerns about literacy, educational disadvantage and child wellbeing remain prominent, CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is helping children start life with stories, language and imagination.
Become a Sponsor today, contact [email protected]
We thank every child.
An Post for their continued support delivering books to
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
22/09/2026
We are grateful to Irish Independent for highlighting our story - Help Save CDI's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
Are you a company or philanthropist who cares about early literacy? Contact us now:
[email protected]
Dolly Parton Library that serves 5,000 children in Dublin at risk of closing
22/09/2026
Azmia Riaz, Irish Independent writes about our quest to Save our Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
Every month, more than 5,000 Dublin 24 children are gifted a book through CDI's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24, with the help of An Post. A total of 61,000 books were gifted in 2025!
Without new funding, CDI may be forced to close Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24. This will be a huge loss to children and families. Studies show how key early literacy is.
We need businesses, philanthropists, and community leaders willing to step forward and Give Like Dolly.
Day is 25 September. Are you a business, philanthropist,or community leader? Contact us now: [email protected] and Help save CDI’s Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Dublin 24.
‘So many families have benefitted from it’ – Dolly Parton library at risk of closure as funding gap threatens children’s free books Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which gifts books to 5,000 children in Tallaght, in Dublin is at risk of closing down by the end of the year due to a lack of funding.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the organisation
Telephone
Address
St Mark's Family And Youth Centre, Fettercairn
Dublin
DUBLIN24
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 6pm |
| Friday | 8am - 6pm |
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Childhood Development Initiative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.