The Government has awarded £700,000 to six voluntary childcare organisations to assist staff training, development and networking.
Barnardo's, the Irish Preschool Playgroups Association, the National Childminding Association, the National Children's Nursery Association, the St Nicolas Montessori Society and an Comhchoiste Reamhscolaiochta will each receive between £50,000 and £227,000.
The allocation is part of a £5 million grant from the European Social Fund to the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme run by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.