National Pyjama Day 2026

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
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 This week’s Policy in Action provides an overview of our recent engagements with members of the Oireachtas. Discussions focused on ongoing staffing challenges, the introduction of new fee caps, and the latest progress on the State‑Led Initiative, all in the context of preparations for Budget 2027. Policy in Action: Public Affairs work update Read more This week we share information on:

•How to check an applicant’s qualifications

• Change in Circumstances application timeline

• Core Funding Year 5 announcement

and more.
Quality Support Services update 9 June 2026 Read more
Quality beyond expansion of Early Years places in England

The School Based Nursery programme in England is a major policy designed “to create 3,000 new or expanded nurseries on school grounds, making use of existing empty classroom space”.
Policy in Focus Read more
Stay Compliant: What you need to know about re-vetting

This week we are revisiting the key points on re-vetting to clearly outline what’s required and how to remain compliant.
Garda Vetting Update Read more
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.

Shop Categories

Latest news

Quality beyond expansion of Early Years places in England

Quality beyond expansion of Early Years places in England

The School based Nursery (SBN) programme in England is a major policy designed “to create 3,000 new or expanded nurseries…
Public Affairs Work Update

Public Affairs Work Update

Oireachtas members and policy teams Ahead of Budget 2027, we have been holding meetings with members of the Oireachtas from…
Making the News: Early Years and School Age Care in the News

Making the News: Early Years and School Age Care in the News

In May, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris announced that Early Years and School Age Care would be…

Latest news

Quality beyond expansion of Early Years places in England

Quality beyond expansion of Early Years places in England

The School based Nursery (SBN) programme in England is a major policy designed “to create 3,000 new or expanded nurseries…
Public Affairs Work Update

Public Affairs Work Update

Oireachtas members and policy teams Ahead of Budget 2027, we have been holding meetings with members of the Oireachtas from…
Making the News: Early Years and School Age Care in the News

Making the News: Early Years and School Age Care in the News

In May, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris announced that Early Years and School Age Care would be…