What we do
The Early Years Education Policy Unit is an executive office of the Department of Education and Science, established to improve the quality of educational provision in early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings. The co-location of this Unit in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) ensures that policy developments in the early childhood sector are developed within an overall strategic policy framework for children.
Ireland operates a split system of governance with the Department of Education and Science having responsibility for early childhood education provision in targeted initiatives for ‘at risk of educational disadvantage’ children aged 3-4 (e.g. Early Start and Traveller Preschools) and the Infant Classes in primary schools catering for children aged 4-6 years.
Childcare Provision for children aged from birth onwards is governed by the OMCYA who regulate and inspect a diverse range of private, community and voluntary service provision.
The April 2009 budget announcement of a free preschool year for all children is a landmark development in the provision of early childhood care and education services. While the scheme is funded through the OMCYA, the Department of Education and Science has funded two practice frameworks (Síolta and Aistear) to support the development of quality provision in participating services.
The key areas which are being dealt with by the Early Years Education Policy Unit are:
- Implementation of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education,
- Development of a Workforce Development Plan for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Sector to encourage and support the development of a suitably qualified ECCE workforce,
- Targeted early years interventions for children who experience disadvantage, including the Early Start Programme, the Rutland Street project and pre-schools for Travellers.
- Provision of policy advice and representation on national and international ECCE policy development initiatives.
Contact details for Early Years Education Policy Unit
Early Years Education Policy Unit
Room 1.09 Hawkins House
Hawkins Street
Dublin 2
Email: earlychildhood@education.gov.ie
Tel: 01 674 3227/3228
