Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (Free Pre-school Year)
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme is a vital initiative in Ireland designed to provide free preschool education to children aged between 2 years and 8 months and 5 years and 6 months. The scheme aims to promote early learning and development, ensuring that children have a strong foundation before entering primary school.
ECCE offers children access to a structured, play-based curriculum that encourages social interaction, creativity, and cognitive skills. It supports the holistic development of each child, focusing on emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. By participating in the ECCE scheme, children benefit from quality early education in a nurturing environment, helping to foster a love of learning and prepare them for future academic success.
When will my child be eligible to participate in the ECCE programme?
The ECCE programme is open to all children aged between 2 years 8 months and 5 years 6 months on 1st September each year. Your child will be eligible to participate in the ECCE programme if they are between 2 years and 8 months and 5 years and 6 months old on September 1st of the year they start preschool.
The programme is available to children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before 1 September. Children can continue in the programme until they transfer to primary school if they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year on 30 June.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has an eligibility calendar showing when your child can participate in the ECCE programme.
Will parents have to pay additional charges in respect of the Pre-School Year?
Services participating in the programme must provide the pre-school year free to parents. However, a service may charge parents for additional services.
Optional additional services can take the form of various activities or services such as outings, specific teaching resources such as dance or music, and food, but should not include activities which would generally be regarded as a normal part of a pre-school service, e.g. general arts and crafts activities.
Services may also charge for any additional hours outside of the free pre-school provision.
Additional services or additional hours must be offered to parents on a purely optional basis and take-up of these options must not a condition (real or implied) of enrolment in the pre-school service.
The ECCE Scheme is run from September to June and we receive a grant for each child for 38 weeks. The Scheme starts in September each year.
You will receive a calendar of days your child is entitled to on the scheme, however we open 50 weeks of the year so limited spaces can be made available during Easter, midterm etc. (requests must be made in September)
Our Educational Programme & Curriculum is a play based and child-led. We follow the guiding principles of Siolta and Aistear.
Extras:
There are a number of options you can choose to add to your child’s day, if available.
9am – 12pm Monday to Friday (Free)
Extra A: 8am drop – off (€20 per week)
Extra B: Late Collection, 12.45pm, with hot cooked meal (A lunchtime dinner containing a varied 4 week menu with vegetarian option is provided to children) (€20 per week)
Extra C: We run a full day Crèche, do not hesitate to ask for a price on a more tailored package to suit your needs.
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