Publication
Early Years Recognised Qualifications
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The DCEDIY approved list contains all qualifications which have been approved by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It also sets out the appropriate level of DCEDIY approval, for example:
Eligible for Educator - Meeting the minimum qualification requirement for staff working directly with children in early learning and care services, as specified in Regulation 9(4) of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (approved award at level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent).
Eligible for Lead Educator - Meeting the contractual qualification requirement for the role of Lead Educator in the ECCE programme (approved award at level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent).
Eligible for Graduate Lead Educator - Meeting the contractual qualification requirement for a Lead Educator or Manager to be recognised as a Graduate Lead Educator or a Graduate Manager (approved award at level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications or a qualification deemed equivalent).
If your qualification is on the list you do not need to apply to DCEDIY for qualifications recognition.
If your early childhood care and education qualification does not appear on the list you may apply to have it assessed for approval.
Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines for initial professional education (Level 7 and 8) new degree programmes beginning in 2021 and later, for the Early Learning and Care sector in Ireland have been published by the Minister of Education and Skills. The Guidelines are available for download.
The QAB has been jointly instituted by the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on a non-statutory basis to review Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector.