Thank you for your interest in working for Early Years
Working in early years is not just about teaching - it’s about nurturing, inspiring, and laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Our background
Working for young children since 1965
Early Years was established in 1965 as the Northern Ireland Pre-school Playgroups Association (NIPPA) and changed its name to Early Years in 2007. Our activities include the delivery of government funding programmes, the development of best practice in early learning and childcare, advocacy on behalf of the sector and governance support for early years and childcare settings.
We administer the Department of Education’s Pathway Fund, are the lead and/or accountable body for seven of the projects which deliver the Department’s Sure Start programme, and deliver programmes including Toybox to support early education and childcare for children facing disadvantage. In 2024 Early Years developed and launched the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education, and we are responsible for the pre-school element of the ASPIRE project, a cross-border SEUPB initiative to foster shared education.
Early Years has also played an active role on a number of international networks, including the International Networking Group on Peacebuilding with Young Children, the Early Childhood Peace Consortium and the Partnership for Reconciliation through Early Childhood Education and Development in Europe.
At Early Years we value diversity in everything we do
The Diversity Mark is awarded to companies following an independent assessment process which ensures they have reached the required standard of commitment to advancing Diversity and Inclusion.
The accreditation process is much more than a tick-box exercise. The application framework enables organisations to identify and take action on any institutional barriers facing minorities & underrepresented groups that can impact on their career progression. The DMNI Assessment Panel provide expert annual independent feedback to assist organisations in building workplace environments in which all individuals feel valued, are treated fairly and respectfully and have equal access to opportunities.
Volunteering
Volunteering opportunities
We list any volunteering opportunities available within our member settings or within Early Years. If there are no volunteering opportunities displayed, please check back soon for updates.
If you are a member setting and would like to advertise for volunteers within your setting, please contact us on membership@early-years.org.