As a lecturer in Early Childhood Care and Education I lecture in the following areas:International Perspectives; Models of Curriculum; Early Childhood Pedagogy and ECCE Management. I also supervise students at both Masters and Doctoral level.

PLÉ is a national association that is founded upon three core elements of early childhood education and care– Pedagogy, Learning and Education, and in Irish, “Teagasc, Foghlaim agus Oideachas”. It comprises Institutions offering Level 7, Level 8 and Level 9 degree programmes in Early Childhood Education, and seeks to advance early childhood education in Ireland through quality academic endeavour that supports and enhances the student experience. The association works in partnership to: • Support each other as members of the early childhood sector, share information and to collaborate on research and activities• Contribute to the strengthening of the identity of the early childhood sector• Consolidate and strengthen the role of education for early childhood professionals• Develop an Irish-based body of knowledge on early childhood issues• Ensure on-going commitment to high quality education and continuing professional development for ECE professionals with the ultimate aim of supporting and enhancing the student experience

Mary represents PLÉ on the National Early Years Forum which was established by Minister Katherine Zappone on 28th September 2016. This forum brings together key stakeholders in the early years in Ireland. Among the terms of reference, the forum will advise the department of Children and Youth Affairs on, and inform future policy development in relation to, the early years care and education sector in Ireland.

Implemented a Limerick City wide childcare strategy Worked collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders in including the City of Limerick VEC, other CCCS, training agencies and the HSE for example to enhance the quality of ECCE provision locally and natioanlly.Researched and developed a number of publications to support the development of the school age childcare sector in Ireland including 'Voice and Choice' a school age childcare curriculum framework (in partnerhip with the Curriculum Development Unit of Mary Immaculate College); A guide to policies and procedures for the school age childcare sector as well as the development of a FETAC Level 6 module in afterschool provision.Coordinated and lead a visit to Denmark in 2006 following which I co-authored a report with Jennifer Pope (MIC) on SAC policy and practice in Ireland and Denmark.

Silver Apples was established as an employer demonstration model in November 1999. I established the creche from the beginning where I was responsible for 15 staff and 50 children aged from 3 months to school going age. This involved the establishment and implementation of all policies and procedures, and an early years curriculum for the creche. As the creche catered for the children of students and staff at UL, I gained a unique insight into the challenges for students parents in terms of marrying study committments with child rearing responsibilities.