• Guidance during COVID-19

    The well-being, health and safety of children, their families and those working in the sector is a priority. This web-page provides guidance for parents and service providers on the reopening, operating and use of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services.

    Guidance is based on the latest public health advice available from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in the HSE, which has been approved by the Expert Advisory Group of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The public health advice is subject to ongoing review / updating by the HPSC. If the public health advice changes, the guidance documents on this web-page may change accordingly. Every ELC and SAC setting is different and service providers will need to use their professional judgement in determining how best to comply with the public health advice while ensuring high quality practice to support children’s well-being, learning and development.

    For more information visit: https://first5.gov.ie/guidance