Children: Schools, Childcare and Preschool Places

Getting children settled is a major factor when considering a move.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for key areas of policy and provision for children, young people and families and the Department of Education and Skills is responsible for education and training.

The Citizens Information service provides a lot of useful information about moving to schools in Ireland from overseas, both to Primary School and Secondary School

Early Years (Pre-School)

The compulsory school age in Ireland is 6 and all forms of pre-primary education are optional. However, children from the age of 4 can be enrolled in infant classes in primary schools. Nearly 40% of 4-year-olds and virtually all 5-year-olds attend primary school, where early education is provided in infant classes.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for key areas of policy and provision for children, young people and families including the childcare in the early years and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme.

Tusla is the Child and Family agency and it provides a range of services for children including information on pre-schools, play groups, nurserys, creches  and similar services for the under 6’s.

School Goers

Education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of six to sixteen or until students have completed three years of second-level education.

The Department of Education & Skills has a nationwide Find a School search facility on its website.

Post secondary

The third-level education sector in Ireland consists of universities, institutes of technology, and colleges of education - collectively known as higher education institutions or HEIs.  The Citizens Information service provides comprehensive information about the Third Level Options available and how to access these when moving to Ireland.   This information includes rates, rules, recognition of qualifications and how to apply.

Information on further and higher education and training opportunities for those who have left school can be found on the Department of Education and Skills website.