R221 - Research to identify and explore the impact of the Government’s COVID-19 bespoke supports to the Irish early years sector on structural quality and children’s experiences in settings

Descriptions

Early Learning and Care settings experienced closure and partial closure due to COVID-19. Early Childhood Ireland published qualitative research undertaken with Early Childhood Ireland members following the 2020 closure that exposed the fragility and complexity of the sector. The Government responded through bespoke funding. COVID-19 changed the funding landscape. Service providers received unprecedented funding, to retain staff and to increase staff- child ratios and reduce child group sizes, all of which are empirically associated with levels of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) quality. Simultaneously, public health adaptations required the introduction of ‘pods’, stricter infection control and an emphasis on outdoor play. Parental engagement was disrupted as parents/guardians were required to not to enter settings. A funding grant was also developed to support providers with ventilation equipment and affording outdoor education.Providers’/managers’ experiences of maintaining and developing quality in services in structural conditions and learning environments not previously experienced requires exploration and analysis.