In research terms, this project progresses worldwide understandings in the field of child development and early intervention literature; spelling out that from conception to six years of age is a critical period in the human life span. The literature provides unequivocal evidence that high-quality care and education gives young children with special needs and their families the skills and opportunities that are life-enhancing (for example, Currie, 2000; Shonkoff and Phillips, 2000; Masten and Powell, 2003; Shonkoff and Meisels, 2003; Grunewald and Rolnick, 2005). That being a given, my concern is to explore specific components of 'high quality' early intervention in diverse early childhood settings; ultimately the distinctive range of care, educational and support services contributing to successful outcomes for children with special needs and their families living in North Tipperary, Ireland. (author abstract)