Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Early Childhood Care and Education
Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1226. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the age eligibility for children starting the ECCE scheme can be reviewed to prevent some families from being at a disadvantage where their child falls just short of being two years and eight months by 1 September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/25]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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An independent review of the ECCE Programme has recently been completed. The findings from the review are being considered by my Department and will inform any potential changes to the Programme in the future.
The current ECCE eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations. Firstly, the ECCE programme is a preschool programme based on the National Practice Frameworks - Aistear and Síolta. 2 years and 8 months is considered the youngest age where a child has the capacity for this programme.
Additionally, the lower age range was set based on Tusla regulations for minimum adult to child ratios for children in early learning and childcare settings. These regulations take account of the needs and developmental stages of children such as toilet training and sleeping arrangements. The review of the ECCE Programme found that the younger age range in preschool might struggle with the ratios which is commonly 2 adults to 22 children in ECCE rooms.
Finally, the current arrangements also ensure that all children have the same entitlement of 2 years of ECCE regardless of their birth date whereas with previous arrangements this was not always the case.
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