Tusla - the Child and Family Agency 

 
The Early Years Inspectorate is the statutory regulator of Early Years services in Ireland. Regulation includes registration, inspection and, where necessary, enforcement. Early Years services include; pre-school services, school-age services and childminding services. Tusla The Child and Family Agency will work with service providers in partnership to promote a culture of compliance with Regulations.
It is the duty of every person carrying on an Early Years service to take all reasonable measures to safeguard the Health, Safety and Welfare of the children attending the service and to comply with the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Regulations (The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendments) Regulations 2016 and 2022 and the regulations for school-age childcare services.

To view the Early Years Inspectorate section of the website, click here.
Tusla inspection reports are available here Tusla Inspection Reports

To view Tusla forms and publications, click here.

To view contact information for Tusla, click here.

Meeting the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016

The Early Years Inspectorate has developed a Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF), to support registered Early Years Services to comply with the Early Years Services 2016 Regulations, bringing together evidence-based, national and international research and best practice in Early Years. Early Years Quality and Regulatory FrameworkTusla - Child and Family Agency
 

Developing policies, procedures and statements

Tusla have developed a practical guide to assist services with developing policies, procedures and statements and a series of sample policies and templates both as Gaeilge and in English to meet the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016..
 
Developing Policies, Procedures and Statements in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: A Practical Guide
Beartais, Nósanna Imeachta agus Ráitis a Fhorbairt I Seirbhísí Oideacha agus Chúram na Luath-Óige Treoir Phraiticiúil

How to use the sample Policies and Templates.  | Conas na Samplaí agus Teimpléid Pholasaí a Úsáid
The samples/templates offer an additional support to the information provided on the core requirements in the appendices of the Tusla: Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF). It is essential that you refer to the QRF when writing and reviewing any of your policies, procedures and statements.

Services operating fully or mostly outdoors

The primary purpose of When the Roof is the Sky document EYI-GDE12.65_When_the_Roof_is_the_Sky_.pdf  is to provide guidance to those services operating fully or mostly outdoors on meeting the requirements as currently set out in the Early Years Service Regulations (2016) and/or Registration of School Age Services Regulations (2018). Later versions of this guidance will include more detailed information for those providers who are operating blended services.
 
The National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services | Guidelines, Components and Elements (September 2020)

The Guidelines are intended to complement the regulations for school-age childcare services. to develop and enhance the quality of school age childcare services. Informed by Síolta and Aistear and underpinned by a commitment to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) in relation to Children’s Voices, Rest and Play, the purpose of the Guidelines is to assist and guide school age childcare providers to reach beyond and aspire to achieving more than the minimum standards set out in regulations.

The full document is available as Gaeilge and in English at gov.ie - National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services | Guidelines, Components and Elements (September 2020)