Why is Quality Important?

“Early childhood is a crucial period for human development and can shape the remainder of people's lives. It is, therefore, a time when children need high quality care and educational experiences”

For many years, research findings have shown that the level of quality in a setting directly contributes to children’s developmental progress and that positive outcomes for children increase the as the level of quality practice observed rises. 

Studies show that high quality care and education lead to higher cognitive test scores, better school achievement, less special education placements and higher school completion rates. Although there is no universal definition of ‘quality’, a set of core criteria are generally agreed. Physical factors such as ratios, insurance, and size and condition of the premises are important to providing quality are the minimum standards outlined in the Childcare regulations. However there are factors that are not covered by the childcare regulations which influence quality provision. These include; curriculum, staff qualifications, children’s rights, identity and belonging, ongoing professional training and parental involvement.

All of these factors (physical and non-physical) are defined as standards as part of the Síolta framework, standards which services may progress towards and against which their service can be assessed.