Quality and Regulatory Framework And Question & Answer Documents

Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF)

The Early Years Inspectorate’s Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF) is designed to support registered early years services by clearly setting out the core regulatory requirements. It brings together evidence-based national and international research, along with best practice in early years care and education.

There are 3 versions of the QRF available. These are:

Full Day Care Service and Part-time Day Care Service QRF
Sessional Service QRF
Drop- in Service QRF	The Drop-in Service QRF will be published shortly

The QRF aims to assist registered providers and all those working in pre-school services to achieve compliance with the regulations and to enhance the safety, quality, and overall experience of care for children attending these services.

The framework was updated in 2026 to reflect recent developments in policy and practice. A summary of the latest changes can be found on page 4 of each of the documents.

Question & Answer Documents (Q&A)

Pre-School - Frequently asked Questions 

The Pre-School Q&A document has been updated to reflect changes in policy and practice and to ensure it is aligned with the Quality & Regulatory Framework  

The key purpose of both the Q&A and the QRF is to support understanding of the principles and requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early years services) Regulations (2016), the Child Care Act 1991 (Early years services) (Amendment) Regulations (2016) and the Child Care Act 1991, Section 58 as amended by Part 12 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. 

The Q&A document will continue to be updated periodically when questions and clarification requests are received from the sector or when there is a change or an addition to an answer.  The questions received will be collated, and the sector will be informed when an updated version has been published on the website.

School Age - Frequently asked Questions 

The School age Q&A document is designed to improve quality in the sector by supporting understanding of regulatory requirements in relation to, the registration of a new service, the inspection process, proposed changes to registration status, notification of incidents, fee payments, management of concerns & feedback and the publication of inspection reports.