Ireland’s early years sector is stepping into the spotlight with Shaping the Future, a new documentary that celebrates the life-changing role of pre-school learning. Published on gov.ie by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the announcement highlights how State-backed early education is helping children, families and educators build stronger foundations for the future.
The documentary will air on Virgin Media Television on 29 August 2026 at 12:00 PM. It focuses on Ireland’s State-funded Early Childhood Care and Education programme, widely known as the free pre-school or ECCE scheme, and shows how it supports children’s development, wellbeing and school readiness across the country.
gov.ie highlights the impact of pre-school education in Ireland
According to gov.ie, the State-funded pre-school programme has supported more than one million children since it was introduced in 2010. The new film follows real experiences from pre-school settings around Ireland, showing how high-quality early learning can boost confidence, encourage friendships and support a smoother transition into primary school.
The documentary presents a broad view of the sector, including:
- Children participating in the free pre-school programme
- Strong relationships between early years educators and children
- Trusted partnerships between parents and providers
- Inclusive learning environments, including for children with disabilities
- The skill, care and professionalism of early years educators
This latest gov.ie publication also reinforces the importance of public investment in Children/Disability/Equality and Education, while connecting with wider national priorities across Health, Social Protection and Further and Higher Education.
Why Shaping the Future matters for families and educators
One of the strongest messages in Shaping the Future is that early childhood education benefits far more than the child alone. Families gain trusted support, communities benefit from inclusive services and the wider education system sees children begin school with stronger social and emotional skills.
The documentary also shines a light on the workforce behind this progress. Early years educators are shown as qualified professionals creating warm, engaging and nurturing learning spaces. Notably, gov.ie states that 39% of early years educators working in pre-school services are college graduates, underlining the growing professionalism of the sector.
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Minister Norma Foley backs Ireland’s early years success
In a message included in the gov.ie release, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley welcomed the documentary as an important reflection of the work happening every day in pre-school settings across Ireland. She praised the lasting positive impact of the free pre-school programme and acknowledged the role of educators in giving children a strong start in their learning journey.
Her comments place fresh attention on how the Department of the Taoiseach and departments covering Finance, Education and Public Expenditure increasingly rely on evidence-led policy to support families and improve long-term outcomes for children.
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Where to watch Shaping the Future
Viewers can watch Shaping the Future on Virgin Media Television on Saturday, 29 August 2026 at 12:00 PM. For parents, educators and policymakers, the programme offers an accessible look at how early learning policy translates into real outcomes in classrooms and homes around Ireland.
As gov.ie makes clear, pre-school education is not just a childcare support or a policy line item. It is a national investment in children’s confidence, inclusion and long-term success. For anyone tracking Ireland’s education story, Shaping the Future is a timely reminder that the earliest years can make the biggest difference.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
