Early Years Inspectorate
Welcome to Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate.
The Early Years Inspectorate is the statutory regulator of early years services in Ireland. Regulation includes registration, inspection and, where necessary, enforcement. Early years services include; pre-school services, school-age services and childminding services.
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Early Years Inspectorate Updates Spring 2026We have compiled a document bringing together all our recent developments and updates. To make information as accessible as possible the document has hyperlinks to the relevant sections of our website.
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Important Notice: Change in Circumstances 2026To ensure your service is approved for the new academic year starting in September 2026, please note the following critical deadline:
How to Submit Your Application
Note: You will require a Portal account to use the online system. Regulatory timeframes remain unchanged.
For further guidance, including portal handbooks and resources, please visit the New Applications and Change in Circumstances pages of the website
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Vetting of Staff in Early Years Services : Obtaining Vetting for Employees, Contractors and VolunteersWe have published a new guidance document provide information and guidance to Registered Providers on vetting requirements for staff members/employees (including unpaid workers/volunteers and contactors) in regulated Early Years Services
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Garda VettingWe have published three new short guidance videos to support registered providers with the Garda Vetting process.
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Latest News
Further Information Service Types
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A childminder is a person who runs a childminding service looking after other people’s children (under the age of 15 years) for at least 2 hours per day, in the childminder’s own home. This definition does not apply to people who care for children in the children’s own home (such as nannies and au pairs). Childminders work by themselves and do not employ any other people to assist them with the children they are caring for.
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A pre-school service is an early childhood care and education service catering for children aged 0-6years who are not attending school. A pre-school can be delivered as a sessional service up to 3.5hrs a day, or be a part-time day-care service where children attend for up to 5 hrs or be full day care where they attend for longer. A pre-school can also be based in a drop-in centre, an over-night service, or operate as a temporary service. They may be more commonly known as playschool, naíonra, or creche. Childminders are not considered a pre-school.
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A school age service Is a service that provides care, which includes a range of developmental and recreational activities for children under the age of 15 years, who are in primary or post-primary education, outside of school hours. For example; an afterschool service, or a breakfast club service.
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If you are a parent who uses or wants to use any of the above early years services for your child, you will find lots of information here to help you make your decision including registers of early years services, most recent inspection reports, and information and tips on what to look for when choosing a service. You will also find information on who to contact if you have a complaint or concern about any of the above types of early years service, and information about Tusla’s role as regulator, as well as general news and updates.
If you work in any of the above types of early years service, either as a registered provider or in any other role including operating as a childminder, you will find helpful information including guidance documents, webinars, templates and forms that will help you, as well as regular updates and links to other resources,
If you are thinking about establishing one of the above types of early years service, you will find specific information and guidance on what you need to do and how to do it.
