Early Childhood Ireland is appalled and saddened by the findings of the ‘Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group 2000-2012’.   The report highlighted the endemic failure of child welfare and protection systems which have resulted in the loss of 186 lives since 2000.

Early Childhood Ireland’s vision is that every child gets a loving, secure and stimulating start in life and working to ensure children’s well-being is core to our Mission.   The focus of our work and that of our members is primarily on young children but we believe that quality early childhood care and education provides lasting positive outcomes and helps build strong, resilient adults.   

Representing our members, Early Childhood Ireland is working to improve the policies and practices that keep children safe.  We want to ensure that our systems are fit-for-purpose; that they support children, families and communities and that they anticipate and respond to emerging needs.
Early Childhood Ireland is actively pursuing this agenda on behalf of our members through a strategy of informing and influencing:

• Influencing the new National Children’s Strategy through participation on the Expert Advisory Group

• Conducting Consultation Sessions with members on the new strategy to hear opinions and ensure strong  views from the sector are fed into the new strategy

• Actively informing our members on the issue of Children’s rights and in in particular on the forthcoming  Children’s Constitutional Referendum

• Making submissions  on Child Protection (Draft Heads of Children First Bill 2012)

• Seeking to improve Garda Vetting processes and timeframes and making submissions on the proposed new Bill

• Developing strong links with the new Children and Family Services headed up by the National Director, Gordon Jeyes

• Be part of and contribute to the Children First Committee for the Early Years Sector