Types of membership

Full member   

An Early Childhood Professional with a minimum qualification of a major award at QQI Level 5, or equivalent, in ECEC/SAC or an ECEC/SAC Provider.


Requirements for full membership:

  1. Professional Educator: A minimum qualification of a major award at QQI Level 5 or equivalent, in Early Childhood Education and Care
  2. Provider: Providing, and actively working in, an ECEC and/or SAC service.
  3. Commitment to gaining 40 hours per year of continuing professionals development. Read more on how you are already achieving this
  4. Signing up to our code of ethics
  5. Payment of membership fee

Student Member

A person studying for minimum QQI Level 5, or equivalent, Early Childhood Education and Care qualification. This includes practitioners with years of experience and those who are aspiring to the profession.

Requirements for student membership:

  1. Currently studying for a recognised Early Childhood Education and Care qualification of (minimum) QQI Level 5 or equivalent
  2. Signing up to our code of ethics

Who can join?

Early childhood professionals and providers who believe that practitioners in early childhood education and care and school age childcare are entitled to professional recognition and working conditions and high quality services must be financially viable:
  1. Practitioners working in community/private, home/centre-based childcare settings, as employees or employers
  2. Providers actively working in early childhood education and care or school age childcare services.
  3. Facilitators, tutors, lecturers, mentors,
  4. Researchers, policy makers, support personnel
  5. Early years students, including Early Years Educators, in accredited training

Membership Fees

Full Members €15 per annum

Student Members Free membership

Payment of membership fee: Pay online, using paypal or debit/credit card, once you have submitted your application form
Documentation required to process your membership:
Childhood Professional: A copy of your relevant qualification or a letter from your college stating that you are currently enrolled on a relevant Early Childhood Education and Care course. These can be attached as a scanned document or picture. Provider: Evidence of active service provision and engagement.

Completed application form

Payment of membership fee.