Early Childhood Care and Education

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Ceisteanna (615)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

615. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted, or is conducting, a review into early years professional terminology, given that there is a clear preference across the sector to use early childhood education and care in place of Early Learning and Care, as is custom internationally; the timeframe for the potential publication of such a review; and the engagement her Department has had with stakeholders on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47325/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Under the Government’s First 5 strategy for babies, young children and their families, there is a commitment to undertake a consultation process on terminology relating to the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector.

In this context, in 2024 the Department completed a review and frequency analysis of the terminology currently in use across a range of relevant sources. This work examined terminology as it appears in registered service names, media content, and approved academic qualification titles, and also involved engagement with international colleagues, with a view to establishing current prevalence of terms used across the sector nationally and internationally.

The findings of this analysis are informing ongoing internal consideration of the issues raised by the Deputy including careful consideration of the implications for legislation, policy frameworks, qualifications and public communications. Scope for a wider consultation process, involving engagement with the broad range of stakeholders relevant to the issue, is currently under consideration.