Dear Provider,

This year marks the first year that Ireland is participating in the OECD Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS Starting Strong). Recruitment for the survey is already underway. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) began contacting selected servicesin December to gather a sample that is representative of the wider sector.

If your service has been selected, it is important that you complete and return the ‘listing form’ included in your information pack. This form asks you to provide details of all early years educators and managers in your setting who either:

a)       regularly work with children under three (U3)

OR

b)      regularly work with children aged three to school age (ISCED 02)

A sample of early years educators and managers from each of these groups will be invited to complete an online survey between February and April 2024.

The information you provide will help us to support the working conditions and training needs of early years educators and managers and build the overall quality of the workforce.

The CSO have a dedicated support line to help selected services through the steps involved in completing the listing form. You can access support from the CSO, using the contact details provided below:

Gemma O’Connell Duff: Telephone: (+353) 21 453 5110. Email: talis@cso.ie

Further information on TALIS Starting Strong can be found at https://www.cso.ie/en/surveys/talisstartingstrong/

Listing forms can be returned via email to talis@cso.ie or by post in the paid return envelope to:  Director General, Central Statistics Office, Skehard Road, Business Reply, Cork, T12 X00E

Regards,

Early Years Division