‘Quality is achieved in childcare through the provision (among other things) of a good physical infrastructure; imaginative materials which meet the different needs of the children in the facility; a warm and caring team of practitioners; a good relationship between parents and the childcare team; sound management policies and practices; awareness of equality and diversity; and a responsiveness to the individual needs of each child. Equally important are appropriate ratios of staff to children, the presence of qualified staff and the contentedness of staff with their working environment and structures’

Developing Childcare in Ireland: A Review of Progress to End 2003 on the Implementation of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 Dublin: Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform.

It is clear from international research that high quality childcare can have many long term benefits for children and their families. Children who have attended high quality pre-school services are likely to perform better in school and have less chance of leaving early.

It is difficult to define quality in childcare services. However, a high quality provision will cater for a child’s development needs irrespective of the type of facility. A well trained and experienced workforce is essential in providing a quality childcare service. A worker’s knowledge of childcare development is one of the main contributory factors to a high quality service across all types of childcare facility. DLR CCC can assist childcare providers in providing a quality service by offering relevant information, support and training.