The ECCE programme is a pre-school programme based on the National Practice Frameworks - Aistear and Síolta. The current ECCE Programme eligibility criteria were set based on a number of considerations, including national experience and a review of international practice. The lower age range is 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. The current arrangements also ensure that all children have the same eligibility for 2 years of ECCE.
The Department accepts that the use of age limits in a Programme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, the Department must implement an age cut-off in the interests of fairness and consistency for all.
The independent review of the ECCE Programme, completed in 2024, examined how the programme is currently functioning and identified potential enhancements, informed by extensive engagement with parents, children, ECCE providers and educators. The review included consideration of the current age eligibility criteria and the potential for greater flexibility within these criteria. This review found that the younger age range in pre-school might struggle with the ECCE programme ratios, which is commonly 2 adults to 22 children in ECCE rooms. The review also made reference to practices in other jurisdictions which will be considered alongside all other elements presented within the review’s final report.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to “evaluate options to amend the ECCE eligibility criteria”, Department officials are considering changes to the age eligibility criteria. Shaping the Future, the recently published Early Years Action Plan Phase 1 report, notes that the potential to extend the ECCE free pre-school programme and amend the age-eligibility criteria will be included in consultations and analysis under Phase 2 of the Action Plan. All changes to the Programme will require a thorough review of the evidence and consideration of the impacts on children, parents, and preschool providers.
