Budget 2026 fails to deliver meaningful investment in Early Years and School Age Care, leaving major staff, capacity, and funding challenges unresolved.
• Calculating annual leave entitlements
• Tusla – Renewal of Registration Process 2025
• New Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) rates of pay
Teresa Glynn, from Radharc na Mara Afterschool in Galway, reflects on the impact her participation in the recent Early Childhood Ireland Practitioner Inquiry Programme has had on her practice and on the experiences of the children.
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
Early Childhood Ireland exchanges and shares knowledge actions and projects that link to our strategic plan that strives for every child.
Early Childhood Ireland produces a suite of publications in the areas of research and pedagogy unique to Ireland.
Early Childhood Ireland works to develop partnerships at home and abroad through a range of initiatives and projects.
Learning
Early Childhood Ireland exchanges and shares knowledge actions and projects that link to our strategic plan that strives for every child.
Early Childhood Ireland produces a suite of publications in the areas of research and pedagogy unique to Ireland.
Early Childhood Ireland works to develop partnerships at home and abroad through a range of initiatives and projects.
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
Improvements to Early Years inspections in the UK
Early Years and School Age Care overlooked in Budget 2026
Press note: Early Years education is key to addressing child poverty
Latest news
Improvements to Early Years inspections in the UK
Early Years and School Age Care overlooked in Budget 2026
