Early Childhood Ireland is now accepting applications for the role of Funding Specialist.

We’re looking for candidates who are committed to using their expertise in funding to grow and strengthen our work, to deliver high quality care and education for children in Ireland. Application deadline is this Monday, 20 February 2023.

Make a difference in 2023. We are hiring!

We're hiring! Early Childhood Ireland is growing its Policy team, with positions currently open for the roles of Policy Officer and Press Officer. These positions are pivotal in achieving Early Childhood Ireland's strategic ambitions (2021-2026).

For more details on the roles, and how to apply, click here:

Application details

Join our Team

Our Early Childhood Ireland Explainers are designed to explain key aspects of our sector’s work. They cover topic such as The National Action Plan for Childminding, National Childcare Scheme, Core Funding, and more.

Early Childhood Ireland Explainers

This week, the EYES team answers a question on maternity leave.

Our team also shares information on the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) agreements, Pobal compliance and Tusla's Change in Circumstance process.

EYES Update 10 January 2023

Last week we looked at decluttering environments. This week, Kathleen Tuite and Máire Corbett, from Early Childhood Ireland, look at what the Universal Design Guidelines have to say about maintaining interesting environments for young children.

Scéalta blog
Decluttering: the Universal Design way

The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education is renowned worldwide. In this series, we explore an approach that has, at its heart, an image of strong, capable children. The approach is rooted in community. In the first episode of the series, we look back at the origins of the approach and how it is constantly evolving. Milica Atanackovic, Membership, Excellence and Learning Manager with Early Childhood Ireland, takes us through some of the key aspects of the Reggio Emilia ethos and philosophy.

Listen Here

Exploring Reggio Emilia, with Milica Atanackovic

A new OECD report examines the economic returns for investing in early education and its broader social outcomes for individuals and society. It makes the case for continued public investment in education.

Policy
Brief

OECD report on investing in Early Years

The Kids Active programme has been developed to support more opportunities for active play, to help more children, become more active, more often. It aims to enhance both the quantity and quality of children’s movement and helps to develop the habit and enjoyment of physical activity. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete all 5 modules and participants receive certificates on completion

Start Kids Active

Kids Active free online course

There has been a significant increase in the usual winter viral infections. This includes an increase in flu, RSV and now COVID-19. This is because children and families are mixing together more. The HSE has issued important advice for families and children.

HSE guidance regarding RSV, flu and COVID-19

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 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.

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

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 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 & 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.