Little Steps, Big Futures:The Podcast
Hosted by sisters-in-law Aoife Murphy and Jenny McCarthy, Little Steps, Big Futures is your go-to podcast for insights into Early Childhood Education and parenting.
Aoife, now a stay-at-home mom to two boys, and Jenny, who is furthering her career in her new role at ChildPaths, share practical tips, real-life stories, and expert advice drawn from their experiences as former Early Years Professionals. Whether you're a parent or an educator, this podcast is packed with relatable moments and useful strategies to help support your little ones’ development—delivered in a fun, down-to-earth way. Let’s dive in, one step at a time!
Episodes
110 episodes
The Power of Routines
In this week’s episode, Aoife and Jenny talk about the importance of keeping a routine, both at home and in the classroom. From the comfort of daily rhythms to the way routines help children feel secure, they share honest reflections (and a bit...
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Episode 109
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32:21
The First Day: Starting Preschool Together
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny dive into the big transition of starting preschool — what it feels like for children taking those first steps and for parents learning to let go a little. They share the ups and downs of this milestone, from fir...
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Episode 108
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33:42
Big Changes to Aistear: What Educators Need to Know
In this week’s episode, Aoife and Jenny chat to Dr. Gillian Lake from ChildPaths, who sponsored this episode, about the recent updates to Aistear and what they mean for Early Years Educators across Ireland.They dive into how ChildPaths ...
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Episode 107
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56:21
Mini Episode: Chaos Behind the Mic
Some people record in peaceful studios with perfect soundproofing. We, on the other hand, recorded this one in between a toddler wrestling match, a crying contest, and several suspicious crashes from the next room. It’s 14 minutes of pure multi...
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Episode 106
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14:30
Summer So Far
Aoife’s back from five weeks in Ireland — a trip filled with toddler chaos, sickness delays, and the full-on reality of travelling with two kids. Meanwhile, Jenny’s gearing up for her well-deserved holiday, enjoying the calm while Aoif...
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Episode 105
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27:40
Holding Space for Recovery
In this heartfelt episode, Aoife and Jenny sit down to reflect on the emotional journey that follows birth, the part we don’t always talk about. Aoife opens up about her two very different birth experiences, sharing the raw and real emotions th...
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Episode 104
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33:29
Play Is a Right, Not a Reward
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny dive into the UN’s new International Day of Play and why it’s more than just a celebration. They discuss play as a fundamental right, not a luxury, and explore why it's still being overlooked around the world. W...
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Episode 103
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31:43
Oops, We Skipped a Week—Let’s Catch Up!
Life got busy (again!), but we’re back with everything you missed—doctor runs, family chaos, and fresh news on the childcare scene in Ireland. It’s a little bit of everything, just like life with little ones.Grab a cuppa and let’s catch ...
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Episode 102
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34:20
The Preschool Search Begins
In this week’s episode, Jenny chats with Aoife about her recent experience touring a preschool for her little boy, Theo. Aoife shares what the visit was really like — from first impressions and key questions to those gut feelings that are hard ...
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Episode 101
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35:46
Episode 100!
Wow… 100 episodes. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. What started as a simple idea has grown into something truly special—thanks to you. Every conversation we’ve had, every guest who’s shared their voice, and every single one of...
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Episode 100
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30:02
From One to Two: More Love, Less Sleep
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny get real about the shift from one child to two. Aoife shares what life’s actually been like since baby number two arrived—more chaos, bigger emotions, and double the love. Jenny weighs in as the proud (...
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Episode 99
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36:26
Starting Out in Early Childhood Education
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny share their personal experiences with college placements and the exciting journey of starting a career in early childhood education. From navigating placements to offering valuable tips for success, they dive in...
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Episode 98
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41:29
Mind Your Words: Shaping Positive Language for Kids
In this week's episode, Aoife and Jenny explore how young children naturally use descriptive language — and when words like "fat" start to carry negative meanings. They discuss examples from popular books and TV shows, like The Ver...
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Episode 97
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35:47
The Power of Play
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny talk about The Power of Play—why it’s more than just fun and how it shapes a child’s development. From building coordination and creativity to strengthening social and problem-solving skills, play is at the hear...
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Episode 96
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39:25
Post-Christmas Catch-Up
Join Aoife and Jenny for their first episode of the new year as they catch up after Christmas! They chat about the holiday highs, the back-to-reality moments, and what’s ahead for Little Steps in 2025. Tune in for a relaxed and fun star...
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Episode 95
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32:53
Toddler Tantrums: Surviving the Meltdown Moments
In this episode of Little Steps, Big Futures, we tackle the rollercoaster ride of parenting two-year-olds—specifically, those infamous tantrums! From understanding the triggers behind the meltdowns to practical strategies for managing ...
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Episode 94
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27:26
The Changing Landscape of Childcare in Ireland
In this episode Jenny and Aoife, examine the latest developments in the childcare sector in Ireland, focusing on the concerning rise in service closures. What’s driving these closures, and how are families and educators being affected? We discu...
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Episode 93
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23:58
Remembering Loved Ones with Littles
In this heartfelt episode, Aoife and Jenny explore gentle ways to keep memories alive, using examples from our own lives, like stories of Jenny's mom and the boys nana, Nana Kay. We’ll discuss how to share simple memories, introduc...
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Episode 92
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30:47
Forever Online: A Child's Digital Footprint
In this episode, Aoife and Jenny explore the impact of children’s digital footprints in family-focused influencer content. They discuss the rise of family vlogs and social media channels, questioning the privacy, consent, and psychological effe...
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Episode 91
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33:27
Where Have We Been? New Jobs, New Babies, and a Fresh Start!
After a year away, Aoife and Jenny are back and excited to catch up with you! In this episode, they reflect on the whirlwind of the past year—Aoife adjusting to life with her new baby, and Jenny diving into a new career in early childhood educa...
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Episode 90
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32:47
Theo's birth story: Part 2
HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEO! This week we finally finish Theo's birth story. Aoife shares her real and honest experiences about her time in hospital and remembers the emotions and craziness of the day. Listen to the end for a s...
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Episode 89
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46:00
Embracing Change for Professional Growth
This week we discuss Jenny’s new job! Jenny shares the reasons she made the change and has some advice for anyone who is thinking about taking the leap and moving to a new job. P.S. Listen to the end to hear Aoife sob about Theo tu...
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Episode 88
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29:53
10 Months In
This week on the podcast Aoife recaps the last 10 months of parenthood and talks about all the challenging moments in the early stages of becoming a new mom. We hope you love it!
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Episode 87
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44:53
Positive Tone of Voice in the Early Years Setting
In this episode, we explore the importance of using a positive tone of voice in the early years setting. As caregivers and educators, our tone of voice can have a significant impact on the children in our care. From greeting children in the mor...
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Episode 86
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41:11