Preschool Regulations were first introduced in Ireland in 1996. These regulations were revised in 2006 and have undergone further updates in the Child Care Act 1991 Regulations 2016. In 2018, Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate developed the Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF), which outlines the core regulatory requirements for compliance with the Early Years Regulations 2016. The Quality and Regulatory Framework applies to all registered Early Years Services, providing clarity on statutory compliance for service providers, stakeholders, and parents/guardians. It helps them understand how the Early Years Regulations 2016 are applied by the Early Years Inspectorate and how to adhere to these regulations effectively.

Significant changes in Irish and international laws concerning children’s rights have also occurred. The Early Years Regulations 2016, alongside these legal amendments and other important developments, have greatly influenced the expectations and actions required of early years care and education providers. These changes aim to elevate standards of quality in developing and delivering safer, more efficient, and effective services for children and families, while ensuring the protection of children`s rights.