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.

Service Types

	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.
	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.
	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.

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.