We are gathering insights from people across the sector to understand what helps and what gets in the way of equitable and inclusive admissions. Your experience can directly influence future policies and practices that support children and families.

If you work in or understand admissions in Early Years or School Age Care, we want to hear from you. Add your voice and help shape a more inclusive future.

Be part of building fairer admissions for every child

Take part here

This week we share information on:

• School Age Care policies

• Programme readiness 2026/2027

• Early Childhood Ireland’s Learning Hub

and more.

Quality Support Services update 16 June 2026

This week’s Policy in Action focuses on the findings of this year's Child Poverty Monitor, from the Children’s Rights Alliance.

2026 Child Poverty Monitor

In light of International Day of Play, we reflect on whether all children in Ireland have access to their right to play and the need for an updated National Play Policy.

Protecting Every Child’s Right to Play

Tips to avoid Vetting delays for international students

This week we share 28 tips to help you avoid Garda Vetting delays when hiring international students.

Garda Vetting Update

In May’s Making the News, we share coverage of key Early Years and School Age Care issues that appeared in local and national newspapers in the last month.

Early Years and School Age Care in the News

Read here

Member Services

Garda Vetting

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

EYES

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

Learning Hub

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.

Jobs

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

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

EYES

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

Learning

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

Jobs

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

Learning

Sharing Knowledge

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

Publications

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

Partnerships

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

Learning

Sharing Knowledge

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

Publications and Resources

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

Partnerships

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

eLearning

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.