Early Years is the largest organisation in Northern Ireland working with and for young children. We are a non-profit making organisation and have been working since 1965 to promote high quality childcare for children aged 0 - 18 and their families. Early Years is a membership-based organisation, a registered charity, a company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Board of Directors.
On 1st November 2007 we changed our name to Early Years - the organisation for young children. When we started our work in 1965 NIPPA stood for Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association, but as our work developed we realised that this did not fully reflect all that we do so we changed our name to NIPPA - the early years organisation. In 2005 we realised that our work had moved on again and after consultation with members and stakeholders we voted to change our name to Early Years - the organisation for young children.
Currently Early Years provides information and training for parents, childcare providers, employers and local authorities.
Membership
This entitles you to advice and support, access to lobbying and a chance to influence policy, regular copies of our magazine, membership rates for training, conferences and seminars, publications and videos. As a member you will also receive access to a discounted insurance scheme.
Training
For parents, all adults working with young children in pre-school settings, Sure Start, nursery and foundation stage and management committees. All of our training helps develop the confidence and competence of the participants in the understanding of play and the needs of young children.
Support and advice
We have a team of specialists and development workers who work with groups to help them develop the quality of the work they do with children and ensure that the children are learning through play in the first years of their life.
Accreditation
We have a voluntary accreditation process for groups to assist them in working towards high quality in their settings. A set of quality benchmark standards, based on international best practice, have been devised and groups work with their advisor to meet these benchmarks.
“To lead and innovate to ensure high quality shared early education and care services that support resilience for children, families and communities”
OUR VISION
Children are strong, competent and visible in their local communities
Parents, carers and families live in communities with healthy relationships that nurture good child development outcomes
Children and families are physically and emotionally well and resilient
Children are eager and able to learn and reach their full potential
Parents/carers, families and service providers are empowered and resilient
Children are respectful of difference and grow up in a peaceful & shared region
OUR VALUES
Childhood - in its own right
Listening to children – and those who care for them
A strong voice for children
Play, fun and creativity
Parents as lead educators
Participation of children and families
Community involvement and development
Partnership
Inclusion and diversity
Excellence and evidence-based innovation
Effective stewardship and governance
A professional, committed and recognised early learning & care workforce
Valuing staff, members and their commitment
Company Documents
We have grouped all our company documents in this library to make it easy for our readers to read through. Please note: downloads open in new window.
Awards
Investors in People Award - Platinum
Early Years is delighted to have been awarded We invest in people, platinum accreditation in June 2021.
Platinum is the highest level of accreditation possible to attain under the We invest in people framework. Only 2% of organisations worldwide who gain accreditation achieve platinum status!
This accreditation means that policies and practices for supporting people are embedded in every corner of Early Years; demonstrating high performance through effective people management, whilst always looking for ways to improve. Investors in People is a business improvement tool designed to advance an Organisation's performance by matching what people can do and are motivated to do, with what the Organisation needs them to do. It's proven to be the most successful framework for business improvement through people management. The Investors in People standard is about getting the strategy right, enhancing employee engagement, improving management effectiveness and evaluating what's working best for the Organisation.
Diversity Mark - Bronze
The Diversity Mark accreditation is awarded to companies following an assessment process which ensures they have reached the required standard of commitment to advancing Diversity and Inclusion.
For Companies from all sectors the Diversity Mark is a ‘Mark of Progress’ that publicly declares commitment to building more diverse and inclusive workplaces to benefit all employees.
Early Years has achieved the Bronze Diversity Mark in June 2021.
“We believe in
Childhood - in its own right”
Our Offices
Belfast
6c Wildflower Way
Apollo Road,
Boucher Road
Belfast
BT12 6TA
T: (028) 9066 2825
North West Office
Office 6, Ground Floor, The Enterprise Hub
North West Business Complex
Skeoge Industrial Park
Beraghmore Road
Co Derry-Londonderry
BT48 8SE
T: (028) 7131 3004
Enniskillen Office
Fermanagh Early Years Centre
84 Killadeas Road
Cloghbally
Ballinamallard
Co Fermanagh
BT94 2FN
T: (028) 6634 2696
ROI Office - Pettigo
Early Years
The Termon Complex
Station Road
Pettigo
Ireland, Co Donegal
T: 00353 71 9861 823
Centre of Excellence
Fermanagh Early Years Children and Family Centre
Fermanagh Early Years Children and Family Centre at the SWAH
124 Irvinestown Road
Enniskillen
Co Fermanagh
BT74 6DN
T: (028) 6638 1936
Contact Us
Contact us with your questions - we are here to help.
Early Years offices are open from 9.00am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Thursday closing 4.30pm on Friday.