Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 427: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to childcare and early childhood education facilities, the minimum qualifications required for service being provided by individuals or teachers to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33140/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The core obligations of the adult practitioner are set out at Part 11, Section 5 of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006

It is a requirement of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which is implemented by my Department, that pre-school year leaders in services participating in the programme, and who are receiving the standard capitation, hold a qualification in childcare which is equivalent to FETAC Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ).

A higher capitation rate is available to sessional playschool services participating in the ECCE programme in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the programme.