ECCE
Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (Free Pre-school Year)
The ECCE Scheme is designed to give children access to a free pre-school year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment.
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 4 years 7 months on 1st September each year. (Children aged more than 2 years 8 months and less than 4 years 7 months of 1st September each year are accepted as qualifying.)
How will the Pre-School Year be provided?
Children will normally receive pre-school year sessions for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, over 38 weeks (September to June). The weekly capitation fee for these sessions is €64.50. If you choose to enrol your child for fewer than 5 days per week, the capitation fee payable to the provider will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
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. To be eligible for the scheme your child must be between 2years, 8 months old & 4 years 7 months old on September 1st of the year they join.
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 design which incorporates Montessori and High Scope. We follow the guiding principles of Siolta and Aistear (the new government curriculum framework)
There are a number of options you can choose to add to your child’s day.
9am – 12pm Monday to Friday (Free)
Extras:
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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