Naíscoil na Seolta and Ballybeen Build Lasting Friendships Through Shared Education
In a powerful example of partnership and collaboration, Naíscoil na Seolta and Ballybeen Women’s Centre Pre-school have come together through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE to create meaningful, child-led shared education experiences that are breaking down barriers and building genuine friendships.
The two settings, based in East Belfast, come from a range of backgrounds and their work together has shown how natural connections can form when children are given the opportunity to play, learn and grow.
A Natural Partnership
Since forming their partnership in January 2026, the leaders from both settings quickly recognised they had a shared ethos centred on child-led learning, play and inclusion. This common approach laid the foundation for a partnership that felt instinctive rather than forced.
Both settings allowed their children to lead the way and through play, songs and shared activities, the children began to discover what they had in common - often without even realising it. Whether singing familiar tunes in different languages or building together with the same toys, these small but powerful moments helped friendships form organically.
Instead of structured ‘mixing’, the settings have focused on authentic interaction, where children simply enjoy being together. As Áine Ní Eachain, leader of Naíscoil na Seolta explained, “The children want to do it. It's not pushed, it's not forced. It's allowing them to naturally build their relationships.”
Highlighting the broadening impact the project has on children’s experiences, Elaine Taylor, a parent from Naíscoil na Seolta said that it “opens up the minds of children to see what other children are out there and what way they can all learn and play together.”
Friendships That Go Beyond the Classroom
The project’s impact on the children has been significant. Across both settings, staff have observed growing confidence, empathy and communication skills, as well as a genuine excitement about spending time together.
Children speak about their friends in their partner setting, share their experiences at home, and eagerly anticipate their next session. Áine spoke about how the Naíscoil children endearingly call their friends from Ballybeen the “Bally Beans” and that “they are the most excited to tell everybody and anybody that they are with them. It’s just so lovely to see that there is absolutely no biases in these children.”
Importantly, these friendships are not shaped by preconceived ideas or community divisions. Instead, they are built on shared experiences, kindness and play - demonstrating that at an early age, connection comes naturally when given the opportunity.
Elaine also highlighted how shared sessions are helping to break down misconceptions about children from different backgrounds. She explained that they show “it is just normal children and normal people. It can stop things being scary or unknown and instead we can say to our children “that is where you went to meet those other children” so that they can understand where these places are in the city and where people from different walks of life come from.” This was echoed by a parent from Ballybeen who said that, “shared education helps children see different backgrounds and the realisation that although we may be brought up with different beliefs, we are all human and together we are stronger.”
Embracing Digital Connection
A standout feature of the partnership has been the creative use of digital technology to enhance shared learning. Alongside in-person visits, regular virtual sessions have allowed the children to connect in new and exciting ways.
Using video calls and large screens, the children engage in ‘parallel play’, showing their creations, telling stories, singing songs and interacting freely with their friends. These sessions are often led entirely by the children themselves, who confidently take control of the technology, communicate across the screen and share their ideas. As Amy Wightman, Early Years Manager at Ballybeen, explained, “Our children love it, all I need to do is set up the laptop and they take control of it. The more we have done the virtual sessions, the more confident they became.”
Both settings are looking forward to building on this success next year and further embedding digital technology within their shared education approach. This has been strengthened through the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Tech2Settings initiative, with Ballybeen receiving a new television in May. Between March and June, over 150 pre-school settings were equipped with digital resources – including 111 laptops, 40 projectors and 72 televisions - helping to enhance digital capacity and create new opportunities for children to connect and collaborate.
A Partnership with Lasting Impact
Since beginning their partnership in early 2026, Naíscoil na Seolta and Ballybeen have begun to embed shared education as an integral and valued element of everyday learning.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and no negative responses from the wider community, the partnership has shown that shared education can thrive when it is approached with openness, respect and a focus on children’s experiences.
Looking ahead, both settings are committed to building on this success expanding their use of digital technology, strengthening parental involvement, and ensuring that the friendships formed continue beyond pre-school.
Reflecting on how naturally pre-school children form connections, Áine said, “the project has been amazing for the children to have more friends. It’s not like we are mixing communities, they are just making friends.”
