An information share on the review of the Regulations for Early Learning and Care

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has launched a public consultation to review the Regulations that govern Early Learning and Care, closing date of 6 May 2022.

A short background paper detailing information on the review is available here. You can make your views known by completing the online survey here or you can make a more detailed submission here

We would like to encourage you to participate as a member of Early Childhood Ireland to share your views and engage in the consultation. Your participation is critical to ensuring that service providers’ experience and expertise are included in this review. Details on the review and how to participate are included below.

The scope of the review primarily focuses on Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate (EYI) and its power of enforcement, however, DCEDIY is also taking the opportunity to conduct a wider but limited examination of lessons learned from the implementation of the Regulations since 2016. DCEDIY asks for submissions to be considered under three key themes:

• Does the Regulator have sufficient powers to address poor quality?
• Are there issues arising in the implementation of the Regulations that require changes to legislation or to the Regulations, specifically in relation to outdoor services?
• Are there changes to legislation or the Regulations that would give parents better access to information on the quality of services

Excluded from this submission are Regulations on:

• Minimum qualifications standards
• Childminding services
• School Age Childcare services