ECCE
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The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. Children can start ECCE when they are 2 years and 8 months of age and continue until they transfer to primary school (provided that they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year)
The State pays participating playschools and daycare services a set amount per child to offer the ECCE service. In return, participating centres and playschools provide a pre-school service free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range. The service is for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks.
Childcare services taking part in the ECCE Programme must provide an appropriate preschool educational programme which adheres to the principles of Síolta and Aistear. Ardilea accept a number of government funding streams including ECCE and NCS.
NCS
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs. You can find out more and how to apply on ncs.gov.ie.
Eligible age range
There is only one point of entry at the beginning of the programme year in September. There are no longer entry points in January and April.
The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before 1 September. They can continue until they transfer to primary school as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months on or before 30 June of the programme year.
If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm). You can find out more on the ECCE information page of Citizens Information
