Tusla (Child and Family Agency)

Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) settings are also inspected by the TUSLA Early Years Inspectorate.

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator of ELC and SAC services in Ireland. It is responsible for the registration and inspection of all ELC and SAC services including playgroups, day nurseries, crèches, day care, school-age childcare, and similar services catering for children aged 0–14 years.

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is committed to ensuring that children attending ELC and SAC services are safe, that they receive appropriate care and have a positive experience where they can develop and learn in a quality service. This is achieved through the registration, inspection and enforcement processes prescribed by law and implemented by the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.

Tusla inspects all ELC services at least once every three years and, in some cases, more frequently. Inspections assess the service’s compliance with the Regulations and, in particular:

• that the service is well governed,

• the health, welfare and development of each child is supported,

• children are safe in the service, and

• the premises are safe and suitable for children’s early learning and care.

Following an inspection, the Inspectorate will provide the service with a draft inspection report. Where non-compliances are found, the service will have an opportunity to respond and to rectify any such non-compliance. The final published inspection reports are publicly available and can be found here. More information on the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate can be found here.