Across Europe, the majority of children enter formal education at 6 years of age. In Ireland, while the compulsory school starting age is 6 years, children can begin primary school from age 4. In the years prior to starting primary school, many parents opt to send their children to early childhood programmes (widely referred to as 'early childhood care and education', or ECCE), which have a focus on the holistic development and preparation of children for school in terms of both socio-emotional competencies and emerging academic skills. Research suggests that attending preschool is linked to improved school preparation and performance (Magnuson et al., 2007), and that a high quality preschool environment is associated with better adjustment to primary school (Corsaro & Molinari, 2000; Augustine et al., 2009).
Against the backdrop of recent developments in the ECCE policy landscape in Ireland, including the recent expansion of free universal early years places, the establishment of quality frameworks, regulations and inspections for early years settings, and the introduction of an early childhood curriculum framework, the current research project, funded by the Government of Ireland, will add to a growing body of knowledge across Europe on the contributions of the home, preschool and school environments to a multitude of child outcomes.