Tips for parents

As a parent or guardian, choosing an early year’s childcare service for your child is often one of the first and possibly one of the most significant decisions you will make.  It is important therefor that you are confident that the early years’ service  which you choose for your baby or young child is a safe and nurturing place, where your child will grow and develop to his or her full potential. 

Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is committed to clearly communicating with parents in relation to what they should look for when choosing a Tusla Registered Early Years’ service.   The following tips may guide you; to make an informed decision about;

• Choosing an early years childcare service  
• What to consider if your child is already in an Early Years childcare service.

                                          ____________________________________________________________________

5 Tips:  Choosing an early year’s childcare service. 

  Read the last published report for the Early Years setting on the Tusla website.

The best way to learn more about the Early Years Childcare service that you are enquiring about is to firstly; Read the last published Tusla Early Years inspection report for the Early Years’ service on the Tusla website. (Available here)

This report will outline to you  the quality of the early  years provision, on the day of inspection based on inspection against the Child Care Act 1991 ( Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 ( available here) 

On reading a Tusla Early Years inspection report it is important to note that the report on the Tusla website is the last published report for the Early Years’ service.  It should be noted that a further Tusla Early Years inspection may have taken place since this report was published, however the inspection report will not be published until all regulatory processes are completed. ­ (please see guide to understanding the contents of a Tusla early years inspection report)

  Make an appointment to visit the Early Years Setting. 

Make an appointment to visit the Early Years Childcare Service.  Visits to Early Years services are best scheduled when the service is in operation.  When arranging the visit to the childcare service, ask the provider if the Early Years’ service report on the Tusla website is the most recent Inspection report for the service.

If the published report on the Tusla website is not the most recent report, ask the provider when their last Tusla inspection took place and if there were any areas of concern identified by the Tusla Early Years inspectors on the day of inspection, you can also request to see a copy of the draft report for this most recent inspection.

  Before visiting the setting read the following guidelines

Before visiting the Early Years’ Service you might like to read  tips for parents when choosing an Early Years’ service. Click here to read what a parent should expect from an Early Years’ service.

  Prepare a number of questions you wish to ask on the day of the visit to the early years setting.

Having read the guidelines above, it may be useful to prepare a number of questions that you wish to ask the early Years’ service provider on the day you visit the service.

  On arrival at the setting, request to see the Tusla certificate of registration for the Early Years setting.  

On arrival at the Early Years’ service, it is advisable to request to see confirmation that the service is registered with Tusla.

 
Based on the information you have about the service from;

• The Early Years inspection report.
• Your observation of the interactions and relationships in the Early Years’ service on the day of your visit.
• Your observation of the practices of the Early Years’ service when you visit.

We hope you will be better placed to make an informed decision about your choice of an Early Years childcare service for your baby or young child.                                                   

                                          ____________________________________________________________________

5 Tips: If your child is already attending an Early Years Childcare Service.

  Speak to the provider and read the last published report for the Early Years setting on the Tusla website.  Click here for details 

The best way to learn about the quality of care in the Early Years Childcare service that you are enquiring about and your child is currently attending, is to speak to the provider and also to read the last published Tusla Early Years inspection report which is available on the Tusla website, (available here)

 This report will outline to you  the quality of the early years provision on the day of inspection based on inspection against the Child Care Act 1991 ( Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (available here) 

On reading a Tusla Early Years inspection report it is important to note that the report on the Tusla website is the last published report for the Early Years’ service.     It should be noted that a further Tusla Early Years inspection may have taken place since this report was published however the inspection report will not be published until all regulatory processes are completed. ­ (please see guide to understanding the contents of a Tusla early years inspection report)

If the published report on the Tusla website is not the most recent report

If the published report for the childcare service on the Tusla website is not the most recent report, ask the provider when their last Tusla inspection took place and if there were any areas of concern identified by the Tusla Early Years inspectors on the day of inspection or the draft inspection report.

Request to see confirmation that the Early Years’ service is registered with Tusla.

The following tips may guide you and inform your decision in relation the Early Years setting you have chosen for your child

• Tips for parents when choosing a childcare setting
• What a parent should expect from an Early Years’ service

  Speak with the Early Years provider if you have any concerns in relation to the quality of care provision being provided

Quality respectful relationships are a key component of quality childcare.  If you have any questions or concerns, it is important that you can ask questions and have an open and honest discussion with the childcare provide.  Clear communication, based on respectful, trusting relationships will support you as a parent when considering your childcare options.

                                          ____________________________________________________________________

Do you have a concern about an Early Years Setting?

If you wish to Advise Tusla Early Years Inspectorate about any concern you have in relation to an Early Years’ service the following is the process which applies.

Further information is available here;                         

                                          ____________________________________________________________________

Resources to support parents, Childcare decisions.

This resource will support parents in consulting with early learning and care providers and in choosing a service if they are selecting a setting for their child for the first time.

The ebook covers areas such as children's rights; relationships and attachment; interactions; social, emotional and behavioural development; the learning environment; and management of the setting. It is available here. For hard copies of the document email Barnardos; resources@barnardos.ie to place an order.

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