Publication
Early Learning & Child Care
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
From child development to childcare to encouraging a home learning environment, there are many aspects of your child’s early years learning and care that you may have questions about. Below you will find a range of resources to help answer those questions.
The Public Service Card establishes and fully authenticates your identity assisting you in accessing a range of public services in an easy and safe manner.
CCCs are located nationwide and support and assist families with childcare matters. You can find your local CCC here.
The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support for childcare through universal and income-related subsidies, for children up to the age of 15. You can apply online at ncs.gov.ie.
The ECCE programme is a universal two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year (from September to June).
AIM is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the ECCE programme. AIM is a child-centred model, providing levels of progressive support based on the needs of the child and the preschool setting. Learn more at aim.gov.ie.
The NCCA has produced a number of resources that contains suggestions and practical examples of how parents can support their children's learning and development in the early years.
Mychild.ie provides information and advice on child health and development in the early years.
This Youtube playlist offers advice and tips for everyone in helping children’s early communication and development. These 2-3 minute video’s help with communication and development, created by speech and language therapists, they can help support children’s understanding, play, talking and speech. View the playlist.
Play is the language of children, it is how they learn about and interact with the world.
Let’s Play Ireland, is an annual government-led campaign designed to remind everyone, young and old, of the fundamental importance of play. For play resources go to gov.ie/letsplayireland.
First 5 have designed a series of tipsheets to engage, inspire and support children and their families to play and learn together. You can find these tipsheets and more at gov.ie/First5.
Tip sheets on play for babies and young children are available in 7 languages.
These cover the following age ranges:
More information is available from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
The Office of Public Works offers FREE admission to individual visitors and families on the first Wednesday of each month at participating sites. Check out the different places you can visit here.
Children learn and develop through creative activities. CYPSC - Children and Young People Services Committees created a series of instruction videos promoting playful parenting. The activities include how to create coloured rice, balloon squishies, sensory slime, scented doughs and sensory glitter globes. You can find these resources here.