Address
Eurydice Unit
International Co-operation Unit
Department of Education and Youth
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
IE-DO1 RC96
Tel: +351 871004256
E-Mail: Eurydice@education.gov.ie
Website
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/dcf941-international-co-operation/
Admission requirements
There are no admission requirements set nationally for a child to be admitted to an ELC service. Parents are free to choose the facility. There is no legal entitlement to a place.
To take part in the ECCE universal free pre-school programme, to start the programme year in September a child must have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before August 31st and must not turn 5 years and 6 months of age on or before June 30th of the programme year. Children are eligible to two years of participation in the ECCE programme.
Adult/child and Space Ratios
The table below sets out the minimum legal adult-child ratios and space requirements for ELC for children of different ages and in different types of ELC setting.
| Setting type | Age of children | Maximum no. of children per adult | Minimum floor area per child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sessional services | 0-1 years | 3 | 1.818 sq. metres, maximum of 22 per room |
| 1-2.5 years | 5 | 1.818 sq. metres, maximum of 22 per room | |
| 2.5-6 years | 11 | 1.818 sq. metres, maximum of 22 per room | |
| Full/part-time day care* | 0-1 year | 3 | 3.5 sq. metres |
| 1-2 years | 5 | 2.8 sq. metres | |
| 2-3 years | 6 | 2.35 sq. metres | |
| 3-6 years | 8 | 2.3 sq. metres | |
| Drop-in centres | 0-6 years | 4 (only 2 or less under 15 months) | 1.818 sq. metres, maximum of 24 per room |
| Childminders | 0-6 years | 5 (including his/her own). No more than 2 children under 15 months | |
| Overnight pre-school service | 0-1 years | 3 | |
| 1-6 years | 5 |
Annual, weekly and daily organisation
ELC and SAC services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. ELC and SAC service providers are responsible for establishing their own policies and procedures, including their own operating hours.
Minimum qualification requirements for ELC staff
Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a major award in early childhood care and education at level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or a qualification that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has deemed to be equivalent. DCEDIY has a published list of qualifications that meet both regulatory and funding requirements for working in early learning and care services. Anyone holding a qualification that is not on the DCEDIY approved list of qualifications can submit a qualification recognition application to the Department for assessment.