My Department received a qualifications assessment application from the person named and a response issued to her on the 20th of October. DCYA officials indicated in the response that the individual should provide additional information if she is in a position to do so; to date DCYA has had no further contact from the person concerned.
New regulations were introduced for the Early Years sector in June of 2016. Part 3.9.4 of these regulations established a minimum qualification standard for those working directly with pre-school children. This qualification standard was introduced following extensive consultation with the Early Years sector, and the intention to introduce a minimum qualification standard was announced as far back as 2013. It was broadly welcomed as being in the best interests of children.
Extensive funding was made available over a period of four years to allow sector workers to undertake, upgrade or update their qualifications. To facilitate those who had many years of experience in the sector but were unwilling or unable to pursue new training, a 'grandfathering' clause was included in the Regulations. Those wishing to avail of the option of signing a 'grandfathering' declaration were able to do so through their local County/City Childcare Committee (CCC), but as is standard with such derogations, the option was available only up to a certain point in time. 'Grandfathering' declarations must have been signed by the 30th June 2016, at which point the regulations commenced. This is itemised in Part 3.9.6 of the regulations.
The qualifications minimum standard as provided in the Regulations commenced on the 1st of January 2017; again, the interval between the commencement of the regulations and the commencement of the section pertaining to qualification standards was allowed following consultation with the Early Years sector.
After the 1st of January 2017, anyone working directly with pre-school children in an Early Years service must meet the minimum regulatory standard. DCYA cannot issue permission for anyone to continue working with pre-school children if they do not meet the minimum regulatory standard, even if it is the case that further training is now been undertaken; such an action would see DCYA being in breach of its own regulations.
The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate is responsible for inspecting Early Years services for the purposes of compliance with the minimum regulatory standards and any instance of non-compliance should be raised with this Inspectorate.
The Deputy should note that the current regulations apply only to pre-schools services. The regulations do not apply to after-school services.
