ALT Poster shows a smiling young girl with paint on her hands and face. The blue banner shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Government of Ireland. In the middle of the banner, the title reads, "First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2025".
2026 has been another wonderful year for the My Little Library Campaign with over 20,000 children joining the library and collecting their free book bag.
Thank you to the library staff for their dedicated work on this great initiative.
ALT Photograph shows three smiling children at a library, reading a large book together. The child in the middle is holding the book while the children on her left and right, are holding 'My Little Library' bags.
Above the photograph shows a green title that reads, "Last chance to collect your My Little Library Bag!". On the right, shows the Irish logo for First 5 Ireland.
Below the photograph shows the Irish logos for Libraries Ireland, Local Government Ireland, Right to Read at your Local Library, and the Government of Ireland.
If your child started primary school in September, this is their last chance to collect their My Little Library Bag in 2026!
My Little Library bags are available free to collect from your local library, and while you’re there don’t forget to sign up to be a member!
Supporting parents, strengthening communities.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, has announced that the 2026/27 Parent Peer Support Fund is now open, with the largest funding allocation since its launch in 2022.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today welcomed stakeholders from across Ireland to the Shaping the Future National Forum on Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, @NormaFoleyTD1, has welcomed new proposals that would deliver a 6%+ increase in minimum pay rates for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners.
Thanks to everyone who visited the Nurturing Skills stand at Higher Options!
We loved meeting students, parents and guidance counsellors and sharing information on career pathways across the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sector.
Did you know? Many families with children under the age of 15 benefit from higher subsidy rates through NCS Income-Assessed awards.
September is the perfect time to review your circumstances and make sure you’re accessing the highest level of support available to your family.
ALT Photograph shows a father giving his teenage son, who is sitting at a kitchen table, a hug. The text reads, "Did you know? Many families with children under the age of 15 benefit from higher subsidy rates through NCS Income-Assessed awards".
Below the photograph shows a yellow textbox with the logos for First 5 Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the National Childcare Scheme.
We’re getting ready for our National Childcare Scheme (NCS) stand at the Pregnancy & Baby Fair in the RDS next weekend!
ALT Poster shows the logo for the Pregnancy and Baby fair in the middle, along with the National Childcare Scheme logo. The background is blue. The text above, behind a yellow background, reads, "we're getting ready for our National Childcare Scheme (NCS) stand at the Pregnancy and Baby Fair in the RDS next weekend!".
The bottom of the poster shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Government of Ireland.
ALT Image shows two smiling women at the Pregnancy and Baby Fair in Dublin. The background behind them is bright yellow. The woman on the left is wearing a bright yellow t-shirt and the woman on the right is wearing an orange high-vis jacket.
The text below, behind a blue background and surrounded by cartoon bees, reads, "visit us at stand FB2A to learn how the National Childcare Scheme can help reduce your family's childcare fees!".
Below this shows the logos for First 5 Ireland and the Government of Ireland.