DCU Institute of Education
DCU Institute of Education
Report authors Dr Marlene McCormack and Dr Sheila Garrity
(L-R) Joanne Uí Loinsigh, Oifigeach Cúnta at Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Dr Marlene McCormack, DCU. Elaine McQuillan CEO Start Bright early Learning Centres; Ray MacPhaidín, Bainisteior Stiúrtha (Managing Director ) Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta. Dr Sheila Garrity, DCU, and Dr Grainne McKenna, Head of School, School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education

Sustainable, community led alternatives to commercial childcare models are thriving across the country, new DCU report finds

New EC report DCU IoE
Centralised administrative infrastructure substantially reduces the burdens placing strain on standalone providers

A new report, There are Alternatives - A Case Study into Existing Multi-Site Non-Profit Early Childhood Education & Care Provision in Ireland, has found that sustainable, community led alternatives to commercial early childhood education and care models are thriving across the country. The report was authored by Dr Marlene McCormack and Dr Sheila Garrity of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education.

The study looked at two prominent civil society organisations: StartBright Early Learning Centres, which operates seven community-focused centres in south west Dublin, and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNnG), which manages over 100 Irish-language services across the Gaeltacht. The report highlights how strong governance, shared leadership, robust family facilitation, and deep community integration allow these multi-site non-profits to remain highly resilient.

Key findings

  • Shared governance and centralised administrative infrastructure reduces the operational burdens traditionally placing strain on standalone providers.
  • The report found that structured career pathways and fair working conditions had an overwhelmingly positive impact on staff retention and educational quality for children.
  • Moving early years care beyond the commercial model into a civic resource that was responsive to localised family needs boosted family and community ‘capital’ and cohesion.

Speaking about the report, Dr Sheila Garrity said, "our research aims to counter the idea that a corporate, profit-driven model is the only way forward for early years provision in Ireland. By documenting how StartBright and CNnG successfully scale their operations without compromising their underpinning values, we are providing a blueprint for a more equitable, publicly supported public model."

Dr Marlene McCormack said, "this collaborative effort proves that early childhood services can prioritise child wellbeing, workforce professionalisation, and community trust concurrently. These models offer actionable paths forward for policymakers looking to restructure public funding frameworks."

 

Dr Sheila Garrity and Dr Marlene McCormack

Dr Marlene McCormack and Dr Sheila Garrity at the launch of their research in DCU.

About the report

There are Alternatives - A Case Study into Existing Multi-Site Non-Profit Early Childhood Education & Care Provision in Ireland was authored by Dr Marlene McCormack and Dr Sheila Garrity from DCU’s Institute of Education, in partnership with community-based providers StartBright Early Learning Centres, and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNnG). It was funded by the Irish Research Council’s (now Research Ireland) New Foundations Scheme.

The report was launched on Friday 4 September on DCU’s St Patrick’s campus. A copy of the report is available here.