Qualification Requirements
The minimum qualification for all staff working directly with children in Early Years services is Level 5 on the National Framework for Qualifications.
DCDE Early Years Recognised Qualifications
The DCDE has published a list of recognised qualifications, for the purposes of meeting the minimum qualification requirement in the Early Years Regulations and for meeting the contractual requirements for the DCDE Childcare Funding Programmes.
This list enables employees working in the Early Years sector in Ireland to verify whether the qualifications they hold are recognised under the Early Years Regulations as required from 1st January 2017. It also sets out the qualifications that will be recognised for the purposes of the DCDE Childcare Programmes, in particular, if the qualification they hold meets the requirement for the room leader in the ECCE programme and for a service to receive the ECCE Higher Capitation rate.
Where a qualification is not published on the list of DCDE Early Years Recognised Qualifications but the holder considers it to be an appropriate Major Award at Level 5 on the NFQ or equivalent, the holder can apply to have their qualification assessed for approval.
The list of ‘DCDE Early Years Recognised Qualifications’ and further relevant information on qualifications can be found here.
ECCE Capitation Payments
All staff caring for children in an Early Years service are subject to a minimum qualification requirement of Level 5 or equivalent.
Payment under the ECCE programme is by way of capitation fees which are paid directly to the service provider. A capitation fee is payable in respect of each eligible child enrolled in the ECCE programme, on a pro-rata basis if applicable.
Core Funding
Core Funding is a strand of funding to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Age Childcare (SAC) providers. It supports partner services (ELC/SAC providers who have entered Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement) in meeting their operating costs, including increased costs related to improved quality measures, in return for a commitment that fees to parents will not increase. The majority of Core Funding will be allocated to partner services based on their capacity. Services with graduate-led provision will also be able to attract a graduate premium.
