ALT Photograph shows an early years educator lying on the ground, reading a book to a young child, who is sitting on the floor beside her.

ALT Poster for International Day of Play. The text reads, "Join the Play 31 Challenge 11 June 2026. Celebrate every child's right to play on International Day of Play!" Below this, the text reads, "The United Nations has designated the 11th June as the International Day of Play so we can all make more time for children to play and celebrate the power of play. The theme for this year’s International Day of Play is “Protect play, protect childhood.” We are calling on ALL SCHOOLS across the UK and Ireland to give children 31 more minutes of play."

ALT Photograph shows a group of school children playing outside. The title above reads, "Is your child starting school? Visit Let's Get Ready for all of the information you need". Below the photograph shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

ALT Photograph shows a mother standing over her daughter, who is sitting at a table doing homework. Above the photograph is a blue textbox that reads, "The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) isn't just for toddlers!". Below the photograph shows a yellow textbox with the logos for First 5, the Government of Ireland, and the National Childcare Scheme.

ALT Photograph shows two young children, lying on the ground and reading books. Above the photograph, the title, in green, reads, "My Little Library Bag 2026". Beside this, on the right, shows the First 5 Ireland logo. Below the photograph shows the logos for Libraries Ireland, Local Government Ireland, Right to Read at your Local Library, and the Government of Ireland.

ALT Photograph a smiling child playing in a yellow tunnel slide. Above the photograph is a blue textbox that reads, in Irish, "You can claim additional hours of National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy during the summer holidays!". Below the photograph shows a yellow textbox with the logos for First 5, the Government of Ireland, and the National Childcare Scheme.

ALT Photograph a group of children playing under a colourful parachute outdoors. Above the photograph is a purple textbox that reads, "You can claim additional hours of National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidy during the summer holidays!". Below the photograph shows a yellow textbox with the logos for First 5, the Government of Ireland, and the National Childcare Scheme.

ALT Image shown is the cover for the Statistical Spotlight #19: The First Five Years of Life in Ireland - Update 2026 report. Cover is blue with multiple images of different family groups. The top left corner shows the Department of Children, Disability and Equality logo. In the bottom right corner, the logo for Data and Analytics is shown.

ALT Photograph shows a child's hands putting a colourful wooden block on top of a tower of colourful wooden blocks.

ALT Photograph shows two smiling children, sitting in the grass outdoors. Below the photograph is a purple textbox that reads, "Are you thinking of changing your childcare arrangements for the Summer months?" Below the photograph, in yellow, shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Government of Ireland.

ALT Illustration shows two families with their young children, standing outside an early learning and care centre. The title above reads, "is your child starting pre-school? Visit Let's Get Ready for all of the information you need". Below the illustration shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

ALT Photograph shows two young boys wearing colourful hats, sitting on the grass and reading a book together. Above the photograph shows the title (translated to Irish) in green, "My Little Library Bag 2026" with the logo for First 5 Ireland beside it. Below the photograph shows the logos for Libraries Ireland, Local Government Ireland, Right to Read at Your Library, and Government of Ireland.

ALT A photo of Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, TD speaking at yesterday's meeting of the Early Learning and Childcare Provider Consultative Forum.

ALT Photograph shows Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley, with two young boys, reading a children's book. Above the photograph shows the title in green, "My Little Library Bag 2026" with the logo for First 5 Ireland beside it. Below the photograph shows the logos for Libraries Ireland, Local Government Ireland, Right to Read at Your Library, and Government of Ireland.