National Pyjama Day 2026

Register here Ireland’s biggest fundraising event in the Early Years and School Age Care sector is back! Taking place on Friday, 27 February 2026, this much‑loved event invites children and educators nationwide to wear their cosiest pyjamas while enjoying storytelling, arts and crafts, nursery rhymes, and plenty of fun — all in support of children. Register today and join us in making a meaningful difference for children and families across Ireland. National Pyjama Day 2026: Have you registered yet? With Superintendent Niall Featherstone and Inspector Marisa Costello

In this episode we are joined by Superintendent Niall Featherstone and Inspector Marisa Costello, from the Garda National Vetting Bureau to discuss the legislative basis for Garda Vetting, the importance of correct validation of identity and some misconceptions that can arise.
Podcast: Garda Vetting Listen here
In January’s Making the News, we provide an update on Early Childhood Ireland’s media activity, including coverage of the charity partner announcement for National Pyjama Day 2026.

Making the News: Get ready for a pyjama party! Read here
This week we share information on:

• Core Funding Payment Schedule

• Policy Templates Updates following Tusla’s New Guidance

• Core Funding February Review and Confirm

EYES Update 10 February 2026 Read more
This week’s Policy in Action summarises recent developments and updates on Early Years and School Age Care issues at local, national and European levels. From the Local to the International: Policy Update
Read more
An overview of Early Years in the UK as highlighted in Ofsted’s annual report. Ofsted Early Years inspection report Read more
National Pyjama Day 2024 Press Release

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

Ofsted Early Years inspection report

Ofsted Early Years inspection report

Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills in the United Kingdom (UK), recently published their 2024/2025…
From the Local to the International: Policy Update

From the Local to the International: Policy Update

Dublin City Council Last week, Dublin City Councillors hosted an inaugural meeting of the Childcare Provision and Infrastructure Working Group,…
Making the News: Get ready for a pyjama party!

Making the News: Get ready for a pyjama party!

In January, we had an exciting start to the year as we announced LauraLynn, Ireland’s children hospice, as the official…

Latest news

Ofsted Early Years inspection report

Ofsted Early Years inspection report

Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills in the United Kingdom (UK), recently published their 2024/2025…
From the Local to the International: Policy Update

From the Local to the International: Policy Update

Dublin City Council Last week, Dublin City Councillors hosted an inaugural meeting of the Childcare Provision and Infrastructure Working Group,…
Making the News: Get ready for a pyjama party!

Making the News: Get ready for a pyjama party!

In January, we had an exciting start to the year as we announced LauraLynn, Ireland’s children hospice, as the official…