Nursery World - Irish Government delays introducing a minimum childcare qualification

Childcare staff in Ireland won't need to hold a minimum qualification for at least a year after a bid to boost standards in the sector was delayed.

The move to postpone the introduction of a minimum qualification has been delayed until September 2016. It comes after the Irish Government announced every childcare worker would need a minimum of a level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or equivalent, and pre-school leaders a level 6, by September 2015, in a bid to improve the quality of the country’s pre-school services.

In a letter to childcare settings, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs says it has taken note of concerns expressed surrounding the imposition of the minimum qualification requirement, and believes by postponing its introduction all childcare staff will have the opportunity to achieve the necessary qualifications.

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