This report provides an overview of the development and field testing of the Siolta Quality Assurance Programme (QAP). It outlines the timeline, key roles and activities and draws upon evaluation data gathered at various stages of the action research and development process. It briefly describes the processes, tools, materials and the professional roles that have been developed to support implementation of the Siolta QAP. It concludes with consideration of the context within which the Siolta QAP will operate into the future and makes a set of recommendations to connect this research and development phase for Siolta and the Siolta QAP with national and international policy developments related to the improvement of the quality of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Ireland. (author abstract)