The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) is currently working with Crowe Advisory Limited to support the development of a national Continuing Professional Development (CPD) mapping exercise.

This work aims to identify CPD training currently available across the Early Learning and Care (ELC), School-Age Childcare (SAC) and Childminding sector.

As part of this exercise, Crowe Advisory Limited will engage with key stakeholders to build a clear and comprehensive overview of existing CPD provision, levels of engagement and access, as well as future CPD needs across the sector.

Early years educators/managers, SAC practitioners and childminders are invited to share their experiences and insights through an online survey, which will launch on 7 May 2026.

🔗 Survey link: DCDE CPD Mapping Exercise – Educators Survey

Survey closing date: 29 May 2026.

We encourage all early years educators/managers, SAC practitioners, and childminders to participate and share their experience so please share this above link with all educators and practitioners in your service.

Thank you in advance for sharing this valuable information.

Regards,

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

We are pleased to advise that the 2025/26 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey will be available on the Early Years Hive from Tuesday, 5 May until Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

The Annual Early Years Sector Profile:

• Has been running for 24 years.
• Is developed and administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE).
• Is the primary data source on the Irish Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector.
• Provides a comprehensive national analysis of over 5,200 ELC and SAC services throughout Ireland.

By providing a snapshot of the key information about the sector at a point in time, the AEYSP plays a central role in monitoring trends in the sector, informing policy development and assessing the impact of policy change.

The AEYSP includes data collected from two main sources:

• Administrative data from the Service Profile on the Early Years Platform.
• Survey data from this questionnaire including enrolments, fees and staff retention and turnover.

This year, questions about staff have been removed from the survey. These questions are now asked in the Service Profile which is the sole source of data on staff currently employed in services.

• It is important that the data in your Service Profile is up to date at the time of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey. Services are asked to ensure that their Service Profile has been updated on Hive on or after Friday, 1 May. This ensures that the most up to date information is included in the data collected for the Annual Early Years Sector Profile.
• While we encourage all services to complete the survey, the completion of this year’s survey within the open window is mandatory for all existing Core Funding Partner Services. As well as providing information about the sector, the survey captures data that will help monitor the impact of Core Funding.
• Guidance documentation and videos will be available on the Early Years Hive to help you complete the survey. In addition, City and County Childcare Committees will be available to assist.

More information about the Annual Early Years Sector Profile and data published through interactive dashboards are available on the Early Learning and Childcare Data website.

Many thanks in advance for sharing this valuable information about your service.

Kind regards,

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

From this date, all AIM Level 4 and 5 applications should be submitted in line with the existing application processes currently in place.

AIM Level 7 – Temporary Arrangements 

Please note that AIM Level 7 is currently undergoing a planned remodel, aimed to simplify the application process and reduce administration for services.

While this work is ongoing, temporary arrangements will remain in place:

For new 2026/2027 AIM Level 7 Applications

• Service providers are not required to submit an AIM Level 7 application form for the 2026/2027 programme call at this time. If a service provider wishes to avail of AIM Level 7 support for the upcoming programme call, this can be indicated through the AIM Level 4 application process when an Early Years Specialist makes contact.
•  Please note, applications submitted in this way will continue to be considered for AIM Level 7 support, and services will not be disadvantaged during this temporary period.

Existing AIM Level 7 Applications

• Please note that where a child has an existing AIM Level 7 application for the 2025/2026 programme call and is eligible for a further year of support, no action is required at this time. Further guidance in relation to existing applications will be shared in the coming weeks.
• Where a child with an overage exception wishes to avail of an additional year of AIM Level 4 and 7 support, the service provider must contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a request on the HIVE for further information.
• Please note all AIM Level 7 applications for the 2025/2026 programme call should continue to be submitted in line with the existing application processes currently in place within the published closing date.

Further guidance, training details, and additional communications will be shared soon.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation supports the work of Local Authorities in improving access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities. This can be through the refurbishment and upgrade of existing facilities or through the development of new ones. The scheme offers funding of up to €22,000 per project, an investment that will see positive impacts delivered to children and families across the country.

Many of the projects funded under this year’s scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access and will help children with a diverse range of needs to avail of the benefits of high-quality play facilities alongside their peers. Some of these funded projects include the installation of:

Wheelchair-accessible seesaws
Inclusive sensory playground equipment and inclusive play space
Upgraded accessibility features and biodiversity planting
Level Access Play Equipment
Teen Spaces

To view Minister Foleys statement, click on the following link