Are you passionate about early childhood education and looking for a meaningful role in a purpose-driven organisation? At Respond, we believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive, and staff can grow. Our aim is to deliver high-quality, play-based education that makes a real difference. If you're ready to bring your skills, creativity, and care to our service then we want to hear from youRespond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce. If you do not "tick every box" there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion. If you feel this role is for you, then please apply.Role: National Early Years Quality MentorLocation: Nationwide role supporting 17 Early Years ServicesReporting to: National Early Years ManagerTerms: Part-Time Permanent role 3 days per week (24 Hours)Salary Range: From €55,102 - €71,312pro-rata for 3 working days(Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based onskills and experience)Staff Benefits:Annual leave of 23 days plus additional company daysFurther education and training assistanceMaternity Leave paySick payEmployee assistance programmeEmployee Purchasing Schemes100% Attendance Bonus HolidaysAdoptive LeaveSurrogacy LeaveFertility Support LeaveEarly Pregnancy Loss LeaveJob Purpose:To champion the quality of Respond's Early Learning and School Age Services by providing mentoring, training, and support to early years professionals in a values-led, reflective, and collaborative manner. The role will foster a culture of continuous improvement, reflective practice, and professional development, ensuring our services delivers high-quality experiences for children and families.Core Values Embedded in the RoleChild-Centred Practice:Every action and recommendation is guided by the best interests of the childRespect & Inclusion:Promotes equity, diversity, and inclusive practice across all settings.Collaboration:Builds trusting relationships with educators, leaders, and children.Integrity:Upholds ethical standards and professional accountability.Responsibilities:Work closely with the National Manager in the implementation of Respond's strategic goals and departmental strategic goals and KPI's.Lead and manage the Quality Enhancement Program for the Early Years department, driving continuous improvement in curriculum delivery, child development outcomes, and service standards.Develop, implement, and monitor quality standards and evaluation tools aligned with national frameworks including Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and Siolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.Design and deliver targeted training programs to Early Years staff, using a variety of formats such as workshops, webinars, and mentoring sessions, aligned with national frameworks and quality standards to support professional development and continuous improvement.Use tracking tools to monitor progress of quality initiatives and training outcomes and provide monthly progress reports to line management and regional team.Utilise recognized quality assurance tools and audits, such as the Siolta Quality Assurance Programme (QAP), Aistear Siolta Practice Guide, and internal audit frameworks, to assess and enhance practice across settings.Support and mentor Early Years teams to embed a culture of reflective practice, professional development, and evidence-based improvement.Analyse inspection reports, compliance data (e.g. Tusla Early Years Inspectorate findings), and stakeholder feedback to identify trends, inform strategic planning, and report on quality outcomes.Integrate tracking and reporting mechanisms with performance management systems to align staff development with strategic goals, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across the Early Years department.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and professional networks, to promote innovation, excellence, and compliance in early childhood education and care.Education:Requires undergraduate degree levelSkills & ExperiencePosition requires 5-8 years relevant experience to the role.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Familiarity with online learning platforms and digital collaboration tool.Skills in designing and delivering training using various formats.Competence in using tracking tools or custom dashboards.Data analysis and interpretation, using data to inform continuous improvement plans.Strong written skills for preparing reports, guidance documents, and training materials.Experience in setting KPIs and tracking outcomes against strategic objectives.This position will require 66% travel time to our Early Years Services based around the countryOther Skills & ExperienceIn depth knowledge of Aistear and Siolta FrameworksTrain the Trainer qualificationKnowledge of the Highscope approachClosing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday the 1st of October 2025