The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) Starting Strong is an international, large-scale survey of staff and leaders in early learning and care (ELC). Participation in TALIS Starting Strong is voluntary.
TALIS Starting Strong compares early learning and care settings within and across countries, highlighting both differences and similarities in how ELC is delivered. The data collected informs and facilitates policy discussions about staff’s working conditions and training needs, helping to enhance the overall quality of the workforce.
TALIS Starting Strong is conducted under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It is undertaken in Ireland by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the sponsoring Department.
The TALIS Starting Strong Survey collects data from ELC childcare providers i.e. childminders and creches. Staff and leaders in ELC settings are selected at random to take part.
TALIS Starting Strong 2024 samples staff and leaders who work with two different age groups of children.
ISCED level 01 (early childhood education) - Children under the age of three (referred to as "U3” in the listing form)
ISCED level 02 (pre-primary education)– Children between the ages of 3 to 6 (referred to as “ISCED level 02” in the listing form)
Settings will receive one listing form that will be marked U3 or ISCED level 02. When listing staff please only list staff that deal with children in the age ranges you have been assigned
The field trial for TALIS 2024 took place in Spring 2023. The purpose of the field trial was to pilot the survey to test the processing systems used and questionnaires and ensure the quality of the main study.
The Main study will take place in Spring 2024. Intial contact will be made to selected settings from November 2023.
Results from the TALIS Starting Strong’s main study are expected in 2025-2026 when national and international reports on the survey will be published.
Learn about our data and confidentiality safeguards, and the steps we take to produce statistics that can be trusted by all.