Department of Education

Early-Years Education Inspections
Early-years education inspections are carried out in early-years services participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme – a programme which provides a period of free early childhood care and education for children before they start school.

During these inspections, we evaluate the quality of the nature, range and appropriateness of the early educational experiences for children participating in the ECCE Programme. The main activity of an Early Years Education inspection is the observation, by the inspector, of the processes and practices relating to children’s learning in one or more learning rooms or areas in the early-years setting.

Education inspection reports are published on the gov.ie website:

• Early Education Inspection Reports
• Early-Years Education-focused Inspection (EYEI)