Child Centred Practice

A key component of the National Child Safeguarding Programme’s Always Children First Foundation Level Programme is its focus on child centred practice and the role that this plays in keeping children safe from harm.

The Tusla Early Years Inspectorate have developed a Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF), to support Early Years Services to comply with the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.  The QRF was designed with the aim of outlining the core regulatory requirements, supporting Early Years Services to enhance the care and safety of children attending services.

The Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme allows Early Years Practitioners to understand their role in implementing the 2016 Regulations and the QRF six module, developed in line with evidence based national and international research and best practice.  

The Tusla QRF eLearning Programme is available here and it is recommended that all staff in all services complete this eLearning programme.

Strong and robust policies and procedures and central to ensuring that children feel safe and secure in Early Years Services.  Many policies and procedures are also mandatory under the Childcare Act, 1991 and the Children First Act, 1991.

Further information on policies, procedures and statements in Early Childhood Education and Care Services can be found here.

Further information on policies and procedures required under the Children First Act, 2015 can be found here.

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