This website is your central hub to find information on how the Government is supporting your profession, how you can advance your skills, how you can plan your career and how you can enter the profession

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme.  Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.

The National Child Safeguarding Programme is funded by DCEDIY and works in conjunction with Childcare Committees Ireland (CCI), Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG) and Tusla’s Children First Information and Advice Service (CFIAS) to tailor and develop Children First Training, resources and information to support child centred practice, that keeps children safe from harm while attending Early Learning and Childcare Services in Ireland.

The Child and Family Agency was established on the 1st January 2014 and is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services ever undertaken in Ireland

Department of Children, Disability and Equality mission is to lead the effort to improve the outcomes for children and young people in Ireland.

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.

First 5 is a whole-of-Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a ten-year plan to help make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland.

They monitor compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action (up to and including prosecutions). We are the national centre for information and advice to employers, employees and self-employed on all aspects of workplace health and safety.

The HSA also promotes education, training and research in the field of health and safety.

LINC is a free higher education blended-learning programme designed for early childhood teachers working in early learning and care, to promote the inclusion of all children. After completing the programme, graduates will carry out the role of Inclusion Coordinator.

The Early Years Hive – the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) service provider portal for programmes funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE).

NCN exists to support the achievement of national quality standards in all areas of service delivery, including areas covering governance, management and holistic play based learning that enhances children’s health, well-being, learning, and development.

Pobal works on behalf of Government, and in conjunction with communities and local agencies, to support social inclusion and local and community development.

QQI is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth – Early Learning and Childcare supports

Children First E-Learning Programme

Mandated Person eLearning module