Support Documentation

• First 5, A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families

  First 5 is the first ever cross-Departmental strategy to support babies, young children and their families.
  The aim of the  ambitious ten-year plan is to deliver:
  1.    A broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring
  2.    A new model of parenting support 
  3.    New developments in child health, including a dedicated child health workforce 
  4.    Reform of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) system, including a new funding model
  5.    A package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty

• Universal Design Guidelines, making Early Learning and Care Settings accessible to all.  The guidelines apply to both new-build and retrofit projects and provide a flexible Universal Design framework to ensure that settings are accessible, understandable and easy to use for all children, staff, families and visitors. 
• Early Years Inspectorate Questions and Answers Document . This question & answer document was developed following the briefing sessions that the early years inspectorate had with the sector in May and June 2016 and updated in December 2016. Questions gathered came from providers, city & county childcare committees and from stakeholder groups. The aim of this document is to assist the sector in understanding the regulatory requirements and support in compliance with the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016. 
• Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme: From September 2012, new staff ratios will apply in respect of the pre-school session element of services for service providers participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme. This will also affect the space ratios and sanitary accommodation requirements. learn more about these changes.
• Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings: The purpose of the Management of Infectious Diseases in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings is to set out clear guidelines to assist those charged with caring for children in minimising the risk of infectious disease transmission in Childcare facilities. Disease prevention in childcare settings is most likely to be successful where: effective hand washing is used at every opportunity; all children and adults are appropriately immunised and where an unwell staff or child are excluded from the service as appropriate.
• Open Farm Guidance document: A resource for persons visiting open farms has been developed  and  highlights the need for hygiene and safety on open farm visits and provides guidance on best practice for open farms operators.   The document highlights the need for good practices during open farm visits to prevent the spread of infection.  This is especially important in the event that young children visit a farm.
• Safety Alert - Cots: Safety alert for all service providers and staff regarding  safety precautions required  when checking cots. 
• The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012: The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 is enacted from the end of April 2015. The Act introduces a number of changes to Garda Vetting procedures which will have an impact for persons making application to the Garda vetting Bureau. This document provides information to provider’s in respect of the commencement of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. It addresses the response of the Early Years Inspectorate to the matter of inspection of Garda Vetting during the period of transition from the Garda Vetting office to the National Vetting Bureau (April 18th – May 3rd) and it outlines Information for provider’s who are currently notified under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 of the commencement of re-registration of those services under Part 12, Article 58E of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013.
• Adequate and suitable rest facilities: Interpretation by Child & Family Agency of Part V, Regulation 20 (1) (a) concerning “adequate and suitable facilities for a pre-school child to rest during the day and night