幼儿教育通常是指在早期环境中对儿童的照料和教育，通常是指在爱尔兰开始上学之前的教育（0-6岁）。这些服务包括学前班，纳奥拉（NaÃonraÃ），特定的干预中心，例如社区支持的学前班，巴纳多（Barnardo）育儿服务，爱尔兰重点支持服务，托儿所，儿童保育和课后团体。早期，立法者，政策制定者，教育学家和研究人员现在已经认识到早期是儿童学习和发展的关键时期。为响应在该部门接受服务的儿童和家庭的需求和权利，幼儿教育专业人员需要了解幼儿学习和发展的许多方面，以及幼儿教育和照料在促进儿童获得最佳结果方面的作用。孩子
Early Childhood Education generally refers to the care and education of children in Early Years settings and generally means education before the start of primary school attendance which is 0-6 years in Ireland. These services include pre-schools, Naonra, specific intervention centres such as community support preschools, Barnardo childcare services, Focus Ireland support services, Crèches, Child minding and After-School groups. The early years are now well recognised by legislators, policy makers, educationalists and researchers as a critical period in children's learning and development. Responding to the needs and rights of children and families receiving services in this sector, the Early Childhood Education professional needs to understand many facets of the young child's learning and development and the role of early education and care in promoting the best outcomes for children.