National Pyjama Day 2026

In March’s Making the News, we highlight the launch of the revamped Early Childhood Ireland Barometer 2026 alongside coverage for International Women’s Day and National Pyjama Day 2026.

Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer Read here
Managing Garda Vetting applications: Current timelines, tracking, and helpful tips

This week we are discussing key steps to keeping your Garda Vetting applications organised from dashboards, tracking, and helpful tips to avoid delays.
Garda Vetting Update Read more
This week’s Policy in Action provides an overview of progress to date on the First Five whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families, first published in 2019, and which runs until 2028. Update on progress of the Programme for Government Read more Read here Issue 6 of our Childhood Times magazine is now live!

If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, our latest digital issue of Childhood Times is now available online. Issue 6 features practical resources, key policy updates, Garda Vetting information and expert insights to support quality practice across Early Years and School Age Care.
Childhood Times – Issue 6: Have you read it yet?
We provide an overview of progress made towards commitments made in Nurturing Skills in the context of the mid-point review. Nurturing Skills mid-point review consultation
Read more
Reconnect with the natural world and rediscover a sense of calm through our new course, Mindfulness in Nature. Designed for educators, caregivers, and wellbeing practitioners, this learning experience invites participants to slow down, tune into their senses and explore how nature supports emotional regulation and resilience. Mindfulness in Nature is funded through National Pyjama Day. New Reflective Course: Mindfulness in Nature Read here
National Pyjama Day 2024 Press Release Making the News: National Pyjama Day 2026

Member Services

Garda Vetting is a legal requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children 

The Early Years Employers Service (EYES) is a service dedicated to focusing on our member’s needs. Members get easy access to expert advice and guidance on all areas of operating

The Learning Hub is Early Childhood Ireland’s eLearning platform, which aims to empower and support our members and their educators to not only help meet regulatory requirements but also to build professional knowledge and skills among their staff.

View a range of employment opportunities in the early childhood care and education sector.

Become A Member

Join Early Childhood Ireland today and become part of the leading organisation in the sector working to ensure quality experiences for children in Early Years and School Age Care settings.

As an organisation, we are fully committed to supporting you to provide quality experiences for children. Our strategies are based on professional experience and on national and international research, policy and best practice. We combine the extensive knowledge and experiences of our membership with wider professional and academic pedagogical expertise. Your insight informs the services and support we offer and the public policy and investment changes that are necessary. 

As a member, you will also benefit from our extensive range of services and supports.

Member Services

Garda Vetting is a legal requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children 

The Early Years Employers Service (EYES) is a service dedicated to focusing on our member’s needs. Members get easy access to expert advice and guidance on all areas of operating

Early Childhood Ireland strives to inform, facilitate, inspire and empower our members to provide consistently high-quality early learning and care and school age childcare services for children and their families

View a range of employment opportunities in the early childhood care and education sector.

Become A Member

Join Early Childhood Ireland today and become part of the leading organisation in the sector working to ensure quality experiences for children in early learning and care and school age childcare settings.

As an organisation, we are fully committed to supporting you to provide quality experiences for children. Our strategies are based on professional experience and on national and international research, policy and best practice. We combine the extensive knowledge and experiences of our membership with wider professional and academic pedagogical expertise. Your insight informs the services and support we offer and the public policy and investment changes that are necessary. 

As a member, you will also benefit from our extensive range of services and supports.

Learning

SharingKnowledgeWeb2021-Stock

Early Childhood Ireland exchanges and shares knowledge actions and projects that link to our strategic plan that strives for every child.

Publications.jpg

Early Childhood Ireland produces a suite of publications in the areas of research and pedagogy unique to Ireland.

LearningPartnerships2021

Early Childhood Ireland works to develop partnerships at home and abroad through a range of initiatives and projects. 

Learning

sharing-knowledge.jpg

Early Childhood Ireland exchanges and shares knowledge actions and projects that link to our strategic plan that strives for every child.

Publications.jpg

Early Childhood Ireland produces a suite of publications in the areas of research and pedagogy unique to Ireland.

partnerships.jpg

Early Childhood Ireland works to develop partnerships at home and abroad through a range of initiatives and projects. 

eLearning.jpg

Early Childhood Ireland uses a variety of tools to share and deliver current thinking to the Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare sector. 

About Us

Early Childhood Ireland is the leading membership organisation in the Early Years and School Age Care sector, focused on our compelling vision of putting the child at the centre of our work. Early Childhood Ireland has a strong track record which spans over five decades and we are currently delivering on our Strategic Plan 2021 to 2026.

We currently have over 3,800 members, who support over 120,000 children and their families through preschool, afterschool, and full day-care provision nationwide. Our work includes quality enhancement, communications and publications, advocacy, training, support and information for a sector that employs over 25,000 people

About Us

Early Childhood Ireland is the largest organisation in the early years sector. We represent 3,800 childcare members, who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, afterschool, and full day-care provision nationwide. Our work includes quality enhancement, publications, advocacy, training, business support & information for a sector that employs 25,000 people today.

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Latest news

Updated Progress Report on First 5

Updated Progress Report on First 5

First 5 is a whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a…
Managing Garda Vetting Applications

Managing Garda Vetting Applications

Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard Managing Garda Vetting applications is an essential part of maintaining a safe, compliant environment for your…
Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer

Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer

March was a significant month for Early Childhood Ireland as we launched our revamped 2026 Barometer, combining a national opinion…

Latest news

Updated Progress Report on First 5

Updated Progress Report on First 5

First 5 is a whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a…
Managing Garda Vetting Applications

Managing Garda Vetting Applications

Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard Managing Garda Vetting applications is an essential part of maintaining a safe, compliant environment for your…
Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer

Making the News: A Spotlight on the 2026 Barometer

March was a significant month for Early Childhood Ireland as we launched our revamped 2026 Barometer, combining a national opinion…