Early Years (Pre School) Inspectorate

Early Years is an overarching term that includes Pre-School Services. The Child and Family Agency is responsible for inspecting pre-schools, play groups, day nursery, crèches, day-care and similar services which cater for children aged 0-6 years.  The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, published the Child Care Regulations (The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 on the 4th May 2016. These Regulations are effective on a phased basis from 30th June 2016. The 2016 Regulations provide for pre-school services, that is, those services catering for children under the age of 6 who are not attending primary school. The Child Care Regulations (The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services)( Amendments) Regulations 2016 were published on the 20th December 2016 effective from the 31st December 2016.

Part 12 of The Child and Family Agency Act amends the Child Care Act 1991(as inserted by section 92 of The Child and Family Agency Act) known as Part VIIA sets out the Supervision of Early Years Services.

The  Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 were revoked with the commencement of the 2016 Regulations.