Buntús Programmes are exciting programmes developed to support teachers and childcare practitioners in introducing young people to sport and physical activity. The programmes are rolled out through The Irish Sports Council's network of Local Sports Partnerships. The Irish Sports Council recognises the major role that sport can play in the lives of young people. It is important that an enjoyable multi-sport and non-competitive model is used to introduce our children to sport that will complement and enhance both our school and community sport programmes.
All Buntús programmes offer:
A large resource pack of equipment.
Resource cards that offer a range of skill developmental and fun activities.
Training to assist teachers (Buntús Play, Sport & Sports Specific) and childcare practitioners (Buntús Start) to implement the programme.
The three key components of the programme are designed to provide easy to understand, and accessible support to give children a fun, but high quality, introduction to sport and physical activity.
Buntús Start
Buntús Start is a comprehensive child centred physical activity programme for children aged 2-5 years old rolled out locally in partnership with County Childcare Committees and/or the HSE.
It has been designed for use in pre-school settings to provide a wide range of learning opportunities for young children to develop their fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills, co-ordination and balancing skills and develop a positive attitude to physical activity.
Buntús Start offers a combination of adult-initiated and child-led activities.
Buntús Play and Sport - Primary Schools
Buntús Play and Sport complement the games strand of the Physical Education curriculum in Primary Schools and is offered to all primary schools and special needs schools through the Local Sports Partnership network.
Buntús Play and Sport are designed to give children a fun, but high quality, introduction to sport and physical activity. The programmes help develop fundamental skills such as sending, receiving and travelling with a ball, to engage in game like situations which include running, dodging, chasing, exploiting space. Simple games are played first as individuals then in pairs and small groups.