Minister Barry Andrews, Minister for Children presented the All Ireland Centre of Excellence Awards to 16 childcare services from the island of Ireland in the Hilton Dublin Hotel, Charlemont Place on February 6, 2010.

The National Children’s Nurseries Association (NCNA) and Early Years – the organisation for young children are delighted to present to 16 childcare services the “All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award” this year.

Minister Andrews said that ‘the Centre of Excellence Awards Programme is a very fine example of the NCNA and Early Years commitment to developing quality childcare throughout the island’.

The Minister added that ‘I believe the Awards Programme is a great incentive to childcare service providers and gives recognition to those services that are committed to raising standards and providing a quality childcare services’.

Teresa Heeney, NCNA Director of Services points out: “This award will demonstrate to parents, visitors and members of the public, a commitment to quality and success in implementing and maintaining consistently high standards of excellence.”

Prior to the spring of 2002, the achievement of excellence in standards of quality day care had not been formally recognised by an awards scheme in the Republic.  As part of the NCNA’s commitment to its members, NCNA developed the Centre of Excellence Award as there was an awareness that many NCNA members were delivering services to a standard which far exceeded those required by the HSE.

Since 2002, nearly one hundred NCNA members have received the Centre of Excellence Award. With the success of the award in the Republic of Ireland, NCNA and  Early Years – the organisation for young children,  operating in Northern Ireland,  developed the All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award which was launched in October 2006. It is the first time that common standards have been developed for early years providers across Ireland.

The award acknowledges the work of childcare providers who are making available excellent standards of care for children. Their implementation will lead to significant improvements in standards across Ireland.

  The All Ireland Centre of Excellence meets the National Standards required in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.