Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan

Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan (Phase 1 Report) sets out plans to achieve key Programme for Government commitments on the affordability, quality, and accessibility of early learning and childcare (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC).

The Action Plan adopts a phased approach that allows for actions in 2026 to improve affordability, accessibility and quality, while also ensuring adequate time for a broad public consultation on longer term actions.

The Phase 1 report documents actions that will be undertaken in 2026. The short-term actions in Phase 1 build on recent reforms to the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding, and will use existing policy mechanisms to strengthen affordability, access and quality.

Phase 2 actions will be undertaken from 2027 through to 2029. The second report will be published later in 2026, following public consultation.

Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan is available in the following formats:

• English (PDF, accessible);
• Irish (PDF, accessible);
• Irish (Word, compatible with screen readers).