Consultation on Equal Start
Early Childhood Ireland was invited to take part in a consultation commissioned by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to inform the monitoring and evaluation of Equal Start. In this post we will provide information on the feedback provided by Early Childhood Ireland around Equal Start, which has been informed by engagement with our members.
Consultation
This study of Equal Start was commissioned to help the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) understand how well Equal Start is working and to identify areas for improvements. This study includes desk research, interviews with stakeholders and parents and guardians from marginalised communities as well as a survey of settings.
Discussion topics during the consultation included:
- Barriers to access and inclusion in Early Years and School Age Care for disadvantaged groups
- Expected outcomes
- Alignment of Equal Start with existing policies and programmes
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
- Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
The findings and feedback from the consultation will be used to inform the DCDE’s monitoring and evaluation framework for Equal Start, and a summary report may be published.
Engagement with members
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Early Childhood Ireland had undertaken an engagement project with members to determine what impact Equal Start was having on children and settings. This was conducted through online focus groups and individual feedback. During this project, members advised that Equal Start has supported positive experiences for children as settings have additional time for children who are in need of extra support. It has also contributed to the development of their service as alongside extra resources and it has improved relationships with parent and guardians. Our members also , noted some improvements which would enhance the outcomes of Equal Start, of which we provide an overview below.
Consultation Feedback
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Communication from DCDE
We emphasised that members said they would have benefitted from more communication and guidance from the DCDE around Equal Start as they were left with fears of being non-compliant at the end of the year once reports were due and also with a level of uncertainty and many questions around the programme when it was first introduced. We also reported that members said they would benefit from a specific point of contact for Equal Start within the DCDE as responses to questions asked by members were not always clear. In addition, we highlighted the benefit that a communication channel between Equal Start settings would have so that settings could support and learn from each other.
Training
We highlighted the inconsistencies in training provided to settings, dependant on where a setting was based, as reported by our members, as well as the inconvenience of training times. We stressed the members plea to holding training outside term time so that educators can attend and pointed out that flexibility is needed to reflect the demanding workload of staff and managers/operators. We also described the impact of the restrictions of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) provided for under Equal Start as members can only use the funding for CPD provided by the DCDE. Members had highlighted that this does not allow them to undertake training that they identify as being beneficial to themselves, educators and children in the setting. In addition, we reported that there has been no targeted training or CPD provided for staff in meeting the needs of target groups.
Ensuring inclusion of all children
We also highlighted the need to ensure that all children from disadvantaged backgrounds are included in any supports provided by Equal Start to avoid further disadvantaging any families. For example, Bia Blasta is only available to children availing of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and so non-ECCE children are not benefitting from free meals. In addition, we explained that during Phase 1 where Equal Start is supporting designated priority settings only, children from disadvantaged backgrounds whose settings have not been designated as priority settings are not being supported, as evidenced by member feedback.
Supports for families
We raised the importance of ensuring that parents and guardians are made aware of supports and programmes available to them and their children and highlighted that currently parents and guardians lean on educators to not only inform them of these supports but also to help them to complete the applications. We made it clear that while settings are happy and willing to support parents and guardians and build these relationships with them, this parental support needs to be taken into account, and relevant supports need to be provided to settings accordingly.
Conclusion
Early Childhood Ireland’s contribution to this consultation would have been very limited without the feedback from our members. That engagement is invaluable and informs how we evaluate programmes and how we contribute to consultations such as this. We would once again like to thank each member who has provided and continues to provide us with feedback, about Equal Start and other programmes/issues impacting on the Early Years and School Age Care system.
If you have any feedback on Equal Start or otherwise, please email [email protected].
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Managing Garda Vetting Applications
Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard
Managing Garda Vetting applications is an essential part of maintaining a safe, compliant environment for your settings — but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. To support you, Early Childhood Ireland provides a comprehensive Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard, giving you instant visibility of every application linked to your service.
This dashboard centralises all your vetting activity, helping you stay organised, monitor progress, and confidently manage the three‑year re‑vetting cycle with timely oversight.
Getting Started: How to Access Your Dashboard
To view and manage your Garda Vetting applications:
- Log in to the Early Childhood Ireland website
- Go to My Account space
- Select the Garda Vetting Dashboard
Reminder: If your organisation operates across multiple sites, and you use different Membership or Garda Vetting user numbers, ensure you are logged into the correct account. Only applications associated with that specific membership number will appear.
What Your Dashboard Shows
Your dashboard displays all applications submitted to Early Childhood Ireland for processing. Once an application is submitted, it is essential that the designated Garda Vetting contact for your service checks their email inbox — or returns to the dashboard — 24 hours after submission to confirm receipt of application.
Please note:
- Applications submitted on a Friday evening or over the weekend will not receive confirmation emails until the following Monday.
- If you do not receive a confirmation email and the applicant does not appear on your dashboard after 24 hours, the submission was not successful. You will need to resubmit, ensuring the “thank you” screen appears after clicking ‘Submit’.
When an application is successfully received, your dashboard will display:
- The ECI reference number (application ID)
- The applicant’s full name
These details of the applicant remain visible until the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) completes the vetting process.
Tracking Your Applications with Ease
Within the ‘Current Applications’ section of your Garda Vetting dashboard, you will find a direct link to the Garda Vetting Application Tracker. This takes you straight to the NVB tracking page — no extra steps required.
Why Use the NVB Tracker?
The NVB tracker provides:
- Real‑time status updates throughout the vetting process
- 24/7 access to application progress
- Fast, reliable checks whenever you need clarity
Have these two pieces of information ready:
- The Application ID / ECI reference number
- The applicant’s date of birth
Understanding What You See on the Tracker
Once the tracker loads the application, it will display the current stage of the vetting process. It is normal for a status to remain unchanged for several days, as updates are not issued daily.
If the tracker displays an error:
- First, ensure all details entered are correct
- You can copy and paste the required information directly from the Early Childhood Ireland dashboard
- If the error continues, you may need to clear your device’s cookies and try again
If you are unsure what certain terms or stages mean, clear explanations of each step in the vetting process are available in our Garda Vetting FAQs, under “How can I track an application I have submitted for a staff member?”
Keep in Mind: Current Application Processing Times
As processing times for Garda Vetting have increased, having a forward‑looking approach is key to avoiding delays as the NVB processes applications in chronological order. The following guidance will help you understand the updated timelines and plan both recruitment and re‑vetting with confidence
Standard applications:
- 15–20 working days (previously shorter)
Note: Around 20% may take longer
- 15–20 working days (previously shorter)
Applications with EU address history:
- Add up to 10 extra working days
Total: approx. 25–30 working days
- Add up to 10 extra working days
Applications with UK address history:
- Add up to 20 extra working days
Total: approx. 35–40 working days
- Add up to 20 extra working days
Important Reminders:
- Timelines begin only after the applicant receives, completes, and submits their NVB link.
- Re‑vetting follows the same process and timelines as new applications.
- Early Childhood Ireland cannot prioritise or expedite applications, as all applications are processed in chronological order by the NVB.
Avoiding Delays: Practical Steps for Validators
Follow up with applicants to confirm they have:
- Received the NVB link after you submit their details to Early Childhood Ireland
- They can access the link sent via the NVB
- Completed and submitted the NVB link correctly
Common issues that stop the process from starting:
- Incorrect email address or date of birth submitted
- Application not received by Early Childhood Ireland (no confirmation email received and not visible on your dashboard after 24 hours).
- Action: Resubmit and ensure the “thank you” screen appears on submission.
Accuracy checks to share and remind your applicants:
- Answer the mandatory questions correctly:
- Have you previously lived in another EU member state country or UK country, other than Ireland? — The answer must match the address history/birthplace provided by the applicant
- Does the role involve working with children — must reflect the role applied for
- If either is completed incorrectly, the link is cancelled and reissued to the applicant with the issue outlined and how to amend
- Complete address history from birth to current in chronological order, with:
- House/apartment number, street, town/city, country, Eircode/postcode (if available)
- Use the country drop‑down menu to avoid errors
Best practice:
- Ensure online details match the NVB1 and Identity Document Validation Form exactly
- Share the Applicant User Guide (created by the NVB) to reduce errors and cancellations
- Start the re‑vetting process 2–3 months before disclosure expiry to avoid disruption
Helpful Information
Practical Tools and Resources to Guide Affiliates:
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Share this post
More to explore
Updated Progress Report on First 5
Managing Garda Vetting Applications
Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard
Managing Garda Vetting applications is an essential part of maintaining a safe, compliant environment for your settings — but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. To support you, Early Childhood Ireland provides a comprehensive Garda Vetting Tracking Dashboard, giving you instant visibility of every application linked to your service.
This dashboard centralises all your vetting activity, helping you stay organised, monitor progress, and confidently manage the three‑year re‑vetting cycle with timely oversight.
Getting Started: How to Access Your Dashboard
To view and manage your Garda Vetting applications:
- Log in to the Early Childhood Ireland website
- Go to My Account space
- Select the Garda Vetting Dashboard
Reminder: If your organisation operates across multiple sites, and you use different Membership or Garda Vetting user numbers, ensure you are logged into the correct account. Only applications associated with that specific membership number will appear.
What Your Dashboard Shows
Your dashboard displays all applications submitted to Early Childhood Ireland for processing. Once an application is submitted, it is essential that the designated Garda Vetting contact for your service checks their email inbox — or returns to the dashboard — 24 hours after submission to confirm receipt of application.
Please note:
- Applications submitted on a Friday evening or over the weekend will not receive confirmation emails until the following Monday.
- If you do not receive a confirmation email and the applicant does not appear on your dashboard after 24 hours, the submission was not successful. You will need to resubmit, ensuring the “thank you” screen appears after clicking ‘Submit’.
When an application is successfully received, your dashboard will display:
- The ECI reference number (application ID)
- The applicant’s full name
These details of the applicant remain visible until the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) completes the vetting process.
Tracking Your Applications with Ease
Within the ‘Current Applications’ section of your Garda Vetting dashboard, you will find a direct link to the Garda Vetting Application Tracker. This takes you straight to the NVB tracking page — no extra steps required.
Why Use the NVB Tracker?
The NVB tracker provides:
- Real‑time status updates throughout the vetting process
- 24/7 access to application progress
- Fast, reliable checks whenever you need clarity
Have these two pieces of information ready:
- The Application ID / ECI reference number
- The applicant’s date of birth
Understanding What You See on the Tracker
Once the tracker loads the application, it will display the current stage of the vetting process. It is normal for a status to remain unchanged for several days, as updates are not issued daily.
If the tracker displays an error:
- First, ensure all details entered are correct
- You can copy and paste the required information directly from the Early Childhood Ireland dashboard
- If the error continues, you may need to clear your device’s cookies and try again
If you are unsure what certain terms or stages mean, clear explanations of each step in the vetting process are available in our Garda Vetting FAQs, under “How can I track an application I have submitted for a staff member?”
Keep in Mind: Current Application Processing Times
As processing times for Garda Vetting have increased, having a forward‑looking approach is key to avoiding delays as the NVB processes applications in chronological order. The following guidance will help you understand the updated timelines and plan both recruitment and re‑vetting with confidence
Standard applications:
- 15–20 working days (previously shorter)
Note: Around 20% may take longer
- 15–20 working days (previously shorter)
Applications with EU address history:
- Add up to 10 extra working days
Total: approx. 25–30 working days
- Add up to 10 extra working days
Applications with UK address history:
- Add up to 20 extra working days
Total: approx. 35–40 working days
- Add up to 20 extra working days
Important Reminders:
- Timelines begin only after the applicant receives, completes, and submits their NVB link.
- Re‑vetting follows the same process and timelines as new applications.
- Early Childhood Ireland cannot prioritise or expedite applications, as all applications are processed in chronological order by the NVB.
Avoiding Delays: Practical Steps for Validators
Follow up with applicants to confirm they have:
- Received the NVB link after you submit their details to Early Childhood Ireland
- They can access the link sent via the NVB
- Completed and submitted the NVB link correctly
Common issues that stop the process from starting:
- Incorrect email address or date of birth submitted
- Application not received by Early Childhood Ireland (no confirmation email received and not visible on your dashboard after 24 hours).
- Action: Resubmit and ensure the “thank you” screen appears on submission.
Accuracy checks to share and remind your applicants:
- Answer the mandatory questions correctly:
- Have you previously lived in another EU member state country or UK country, other than Ireland? — The answer must match the address history/birthplace provided by the applicant
- Does the role involve working with children — must reflect the role applied for
- If either is completed incorrectly, the link is cancelled and reissued to the applicant with the issue outlined and how to amend
- Complete address history from birth to current in chronological order, with:
- House/apartment number, street, town/city, country, Eircode/postcode (if available)
- Use the country drop‑down menu to avoid errors
Best practice:
- Ensure online details match the NVB1 and Identity Document Validation Form exactly
- Share the Applicant User Guide (created by the NVB) to reduce errors and cancellations
- Start the re‑vetting process 2–3 months before disclosure expiry to avoid disruption
Helpful Information
Practical Tools and Resources to Guide Affiliates:
