Early Years Ireland

Editorial Policy

Last Updated: 22 September 2026

Our Editorial Mission

Early Years Ireland is an independent digital publication covering the early childhood education and care sector in Ireland. Our mission is to provide clear, accurate, and unbiased information to parents, professionals, students, and anyone with an interest in the sector.

We are not a representative body, trade union, or government agency. We do not lobby, campaign, or advocate on behalf of any group. Our editorial decisions are guided solely by what is useful and true for our readers.

Our Core Principles

All content published on Early Years Ireland is guided by five principles:

  1. Accuracy — We verify information before publishing and correct errors openly.
  2. Independence — We are not funded or directed by any political party, trade union, or representative organisation.
  3. Transparency — We clearly distinguish between news, analysis, opinion, and sponsored content.
  4. Fairness — We present multiple perspectives where relevant and avoid misleading framing.
  5. Usefulness — We write for real people navigating a complex system, not for search engines alone.
  6. 3. What We Publish

We publish content in the following formats:

  • News — factual reports on developments affecting the Irish Early Years sector.
  • Analysis — contextual explanations of policy, funding, and sector trends.
  • Guides — practical, step-by-step information for parents and professionals.
  • Explainers — clear breakdowns of complex topics such as ECCE, Core Funding, or Tusla inspections.
  • Opinion & Commentary — clearly labelled, signed pieces representing the views of the author, not the publication.
  • Sponsored Content — if ever published, clearly labelled as “Sponsored” or “Paid Partnership.”

Sourcing and Fact-Checking

We are committed to responsible sourcing. Our editorial process includes:

  • Primary sources first. We prioritise official documents from government departments, Tusla, the CSO, the Oireachtas, and recognised sector bodies.
  • Linking to sources. Where possible, we link directly to the original source so readers can verify information themselves.
  • Two-source rule for sensitive claims. Where a claim is contested or potentially damaging, we seek confirmation from at least two independent sources.
  • No reliance on unverified social media. Social media posts are treated as leads, not as sources.
  • Expert review where needed. For complex legal or regulatory topics, we may consult qualified professionals before publishing.

Use of AI in Our Workflow

We may use AI tools to assist with research, transcription, or drafting. However:

  • All published content is reviewed and edited by a human editor.
  • AI is never used to generate unverified claims or fabricated quotes.
  • AI is never used to impersonate real people or organisations.
  • Final editorial responsibility always rests with a human member of our team.

Corrections Policy

We take accuracy seriously. If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and transparently.

How to request a correction:

Email editor@earlyyearsireland.ie with:

  1. The URL of the article
  2. The specific statement you believe is incorrect
  3. A source supporting your correction

What happens next:

  • We acknowledge receipt within 2 working days.
  • We investigate and respond within 5 working days.
  • If a correction is warranted, we update the article and add a visible note such as: “Correction: [date] – An earlier version of this article stated [X]. This has been corrected to [Y].”
  • Significant corrections are also noted in our weekly newsletter.

We do not silently delete or rewrite articles to hide errors.

Independence and Funding

Early Years Ireland is independently operated. Our funding may come from:

  • Display advertising
  • Sponsored content (clearly labelled)
  • Affiliate partnerships (clearly disclosed)
  • Reader donations or subscriptions (if introduced in future)

We do not accept funding from:

  • Political parties
  • Trade unions or representative bodies
  • Government agencies, where such funding would compromise editorial independence

Advertising and sponsorship do not influence editorial content. Advertisers have no input into what we publish, how we publish it, or which topics we cover.

Sponsored Content and Advertising

Any content that is paid for by a third party is clearly labelled at the top of the article with one of the following:

  • “Sponsored” — content created in partnership with an advertiser.
  • “Paid Partnership” — content created with financial support from a partner.
  • “Advertisement” — display advertising or advertorials.

Sponsored content is written to the same standards of accuracy and fairness as our editorial content. We do not publish sponsored content that is misleading, discriminatory, or contrary to the public interest.

Opinion and Commentary

Opinion pieces are clearly labelled and signed by the author. The views expressed in opinion pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Early Years Ireland.

We welcome diverse perspectives but do not publish content that:

  • Promotes discrimination or hate speech
  • Spreads misinformation about childcare, health, or safety
  • Attacks individuals or organisations without evidence
  • Conceals commercial or political interests

Reader Contributions and Guest Posts

We accept guest contributions from professionals in the Early Years sector, subject to the following:

  • Full disclosure of the author’s role, organisation, and any relevant affiliations.
  • Original content not published elsewhere.
  • Editorial review by our team before publication.
  • Right to edit or decline any submission.

Guest posts are not paid for unless explicitly agreed in advance. We do not accept guest posts that are primarily promotional.

Comments and Community Standards

We welcome comments and discussion from our readers. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that:

  • Contain hate speech, harassment, or personal attacks
  • Spread misinformation
  • Are purely promotional or spam
  • Violate the privacy of individuals, especially children

Comments are moderated in line with our commitment to a respectful and constructive community.

Conflicts of Interest

Our contributors are required to disclose any financial or personal interests that could reasonably be seen to influence their work. Where a conflict of interest exists, we either:

  • Disclose it clearly in the article, or
  • Assign the article to a different contributor.

Updates and Revisions

We periodically review and update our articles to reflect new information, policy changes, or corrections. Where an article has been substantially updated, we add a note such as:

“Updated: [date] – This article has been revised to reflect [change].”

Complaints

If you have a complaint about our editorial content, please contact:

Email: editor@earlyyearsireland.ie
Subject line: “Editorial Complaint – [Article Title]”

We aim to respond within 5 working days. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate the matter in writing, and we will review it at a senior editorial level.

Contact

For all editorial enquiries, including corrections, pitches, and media requests:

Email: editor@earlyyearsireland.ie