Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a Level 5 major award in early childhood care and education on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or a qualification that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has deemed to be equivalent.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published a list of qualifications that meet both regulatory and funding requirements for working in early learning and care services. The list can be found at this link:
DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications
To be approved to practise in the sector, an individual’s studies must be of a standard at least at level 5 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications NFQ (or equivalent) and must include the following content:
• Child development for children aged 0-6.
• Early childhood education – theory and practice.
• Child health and welfare for children aged 0-6.
• Evidence that the qualification contains a supervised practicum/practice placement working in an early learning and care setting.
Current Student requirements:
Current Students must hold a letter of Eligibility to Practice from the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order to practice in the sector, regardless of whether their chosen course is on the list of recognised qualifications.
A current student, must at time of application, be undertaking a course that is on the DCEDIY list of recognised qualifications. The list can be found at: DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications
In order to obtain a letter of Eligibility to Practice, a current student must apply to the Minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for that letter.
Please note that as a current student, the highest-level Eligibility that can be awarded is at minimum regulatory requirement level.
Application Process current student requirements:
The current student must apply to DCEDIY for letter of Eligibility to practice. The application must include the following:
- A fully completed signed application form (a typed name will not suffice). The application form can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/000073-recognition-of-an-early-years-qualification/
- A letter from the Educational Institution which specifically states that the applicant is continuing their studies
- Full academic transcripts for each year of course completed so far
- Evidence of work practice/experience with children aged 0-6 as part of applicants studies which includes dates and location of that work
