Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of ECCE centres, playschools and day care service in the State; the physical education requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47724/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Tusla is the independent statutory regulator for the sector and is responsible for maintaining the register of all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services. The latest data on the number of registrations of ELC services supplied by Tusla shows that there were 4,061 ELC services registered at the end of July 2022. Please note this figure does not include school age childcare services.

Under the Regulations for ELC services, service providers are required to ensure that each child’s learning, development and well-being is facilitated within the daily life of the pre-school service through the provision of the appropriate activities, interaction, materials and equipment, having regard to the age and stage of development of the child. The Regulations also require that children have access to a suitable outdoor space.

ELC services are also guided by Aistear, the early childhood curriculum framework. One of the guiding principles for good practice as set out in Aistear is learning and developing through play. The adult in the ELC setting is expected to create an indoor and outdoor environment that provides a wide range of play possibilities. One of the characteristics of play is to be active, meaning children use their bodies and minds in their play, interacting with the environment, with materials and with other people.

Aistear further notes that "Physical play involves children developing, practising and refining bodily movements and control. It includes whole body and limb movements, co-ordination and balance. These activities involve physical movements for their own sake and enjoyment. Children gain control over their gross motor skills first before refining their fine motor skills."