New Registrations

If you intend to open an early years service, you must complete the registration process before any children can attend. Under Section 58D(2) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, all proposed services are legally required to submit a registration application at least three months before they plan to begin operating. Temporary early years services must submit their application at least 21 days before opening.

Please ensure you have all required documentation ready to upload before submitting your application. Applications that remain incomplete for more than 10 days will be automatically closed and a refund will not be provided.

2026 New Applications Timeframes

Fully completed applications (which includes the submission of all required documentation) for proposed new services that are submitted before 01st June 2026 will be approved for opening in September 2026. Applications submitted after this date are unlikely to be approved in time for a September opening date. All new applications for preschool settings currently require a pre-registration inspection and time taken to complete same. This should be factored into your preparation.

New Registration Portal

We have developed a new online portal for submitting all new registration applications for pre‑school, school‑age, and childminding services.

All applications must be submitted through this new portal. Applications sent through previous channels will no longer be accepted. You can access the new portal here: https://submissions.tusla.ie/account/login

Please see the relevant sections below for further information and guidance on completing your application. 

Advice and Guidance 

If you have questions about the registration of a pre-school or school age service, please have a look at our extensive FAQ documents available here – Pre-school Service Questions & Answers Document and School Age Frequently Asked Questions Document

If you can’t find the answer to your question in the FAQs you can contact our helpdesk team, either via email - newapplications.eyi@tusla.ie or on (061) 440600 (New Applications).

Alternatively, you can contact your local City and County Childcare Committee, who can provide you with further assistance. You will find contact details of your nearest City and County Childcare Committees. 

The links below directs you to information on other processes with the Early Years Inspectorate such as Inspection, Change in Circumstances, Registration Renewal, Feeback and Concerns, Notification of Incidents and Enforcement as well as Provider Resources, Regulations and Legislation, Regulatory Notices and published Inspection Reports.

If you are unable to locate the information you require, please do not hesitate to the registration office at ey.reception@tusla.ie or 061 440600.
 

	Registration Policy: New Applications Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
	New applications for registration – Supporting Documentation This document provides a list of required documentation that must be submitted with new applications for registration
	A Guide to Building Safety - Fire and Planning Requirements A guidance document designed to assist existing providers and new applicants to address fire and planning safety requirements