About

Early Childhood Ireland

We aim to be effective champions for quality in practice, putting children and their rights at the core of our work and advocating strongly for them, their families and all early childhood professionals.

Who

About Us

Early Childhood Ireland is a membership organisation which represents 3,500 early years settings, who support over 100,000 children & their families through preschool, afterschool & full daycare provision nationwide. Our work includes quality enhancement, publications, advocacy, training, business support & information for a sector that employs 25,000 people today.

Our Vision

Every young child is thriving and learning in quality early childhood settings.

Our role in achieving this vision is to be effective champions for quality in practice, putting children and their rights at the core of our work and advocating strongly for them, their families and all early childhood professionals.

Our Mission

To inspire and enable members to provide quality experiences for young children and their families in their settings.

We do this by: Working closely with members, peer organisations, parents, policy makers, partners, funders and researchers. Advocating on behalf of our members and the children and families they work with on matters that are important to them. Progressing thinking and research to help inform and shape the quality of practice and policy.

Our Values

As a membership based organisation we value

Children as competent learners and citizens with rights, Parents as champions in the lives of children & Early Childhood Professionals, their commitment, dedication and professionalism in working with young children and their families.

More Information

Finances and Accountability Our sources of funding are membership subscriptions, grant-in-aid and income from projects we undertake for Government and organisations that are aligned with our mission and vision

Our Board Early Childhood Ireland is led by a Board of Directors. Our directors are elected at our AGM in accordance with our memorandum and articles of association.

Our People We value our staff and appreciate their commitment and dedication to the organisation. We aim to be an employer of best practice.

Our Work A registered charity, we provide a broad range of training, mentoring, information and advocacy supports to better shape the systems, policies and practices that impact on the lives of young children.

Our Members The work that we do would not be possible without the support of a wide range of members. We are a member organisation open to all those who share our vision.

Download Information

Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020 This strategic plan is developed at a specific point in time when early childhood care and education is at a tipping point. The sector has grown over the past two decades on the national agenda.

Annual Report 2015 The Early Childhood Ireland 2015 Annual Report.