20/02/2026
✨Dear Parent / Early Years Provider,
The National Conversation on the Future of Education is now underway and
this includes early learning and care, childminding and school-age childcare.
This national process is gathering the views of students, parents, teachers,
school leaders and the wider public so that long-term priorities for Ireland’s
education system can be shaped in an informed and inclusive way.
Its purpose is to understand:
• What is working well
• What needs improvement
• What should change or stay the same
• What should be prioritised in the years ahead
• How education can respond to social, technological and demographic change
We know that Early Years can sometimes feel left out of wider education
discussions. This time, it is central.
For Early Years specifically, the consultation is asking:
• What is working well in early learning and care
• What needs to improve for children and families
• Access, affordability and quality
• How early learning links with primary education
• How provision can better support children aged 0–5
• How school-age childcare supports children aged 4–14
Parents and providers have vital insight into how the system works in practice
from transitions and inclusion to everyday challenges and successes.
The National Parents Council ( ), as the national voice for parents, will
present parents’ views as part of our formal submission to the Department of
Education and relevant Departments. Our role is to ensure Early Years
perspectives are clearly and strongly reflected.
You have two opportunities this week to contribute:
🏢In-Person Session
📍NPC Offices, Manor Street, Dublin 7
📅Saturday 21st February
⏰10:30am – 1:00pm
🥪Lunch provided
Register Here, https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4HcczmaGBkii7dA6Y4qM6rI4A0yJZ2VAsDt25jpihPRURFQ4QkdMVTRIV1MwWU1BQ0VOTE1CUVhUSy4u
💻Online Session
📅Monday 23rd February
⏰10:00am
⏰7:00pm
Join from anywhere.
Register Here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4HcczmaGBkii7dA6Y4qM6rI4A0yJZ2VAsDt25jpihPRUQlpBNDlQWkUwUUdDU0QxSUVVTEpSR1hWQS4u
Policy change takes time, but the priorities identified now will guide long-term
planning for years to come.
If you are a parent of a young child or work within Early Years provision, your
voice is essential.
We encourage you to attend whichever session suits you best
