The development of early childhood services has been notoriously ad hoc in this State and the need to develop some cohesion among the many services and service providers has become increasingly urgent in recent years. According to the report A Window on Early Education in Ireland, there is no national policy to co-ordinate early childhood services, with the result that there are no training regulations governing the education of pre-school teachers, nor is there a recognised pre-school curriculum.

The services which exist are provided by both the public and private sector. Public sector provision consists of the services grant-aided by the Department of Health and by the Department of Education (infant classes and Early Start). Private sector provision takes the form of playgroups, naionrai (Irish-medium playgroups), nurseries and Montessori schools.

The distinction between early years settings in terms of those emphasising care and those emphasising education has become increasingly blurred with growing recognition of the importance of integrating both concepts because, "without good quality care good learning cannot happen."