Free Preschool places for 3 hours per day for 38 weeks from September 2016
Information
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. From September 2016, children are eligible for the ECCE scheme if they are aged over 3 years and not older than 5 and a half years. (Up until they start Primary School)
We are proud to be a part of this.
The department has set 3 entry points during each year:
- September, for children who turn 3 years on or before the 31st August
- January, for children who turn 3 years on or before the 31st December
- April, for children who turn 3 years on or before the 31st March
| To be eligible for the Free Pre-School Year in the Year beginning | The child must have been born between the dates below (including start and finish date) |
|---|---|
| September 2015-June 2016 | 2nd February 2011 and the 30th June 2012 |
| September 2016-June- 2017 | 1st January 2012 and the 31st August 2013 |
| January 2017-June 2017 | 1st January 2012 and the 31st December 2013 |
| April 2017-June 2017 | 1st January 2012 and the 31st March 2014 |
Exemptions from age limit
If your child is over the eligibility age requirement due to special needs they may be able to get an exemption from the upper age limit for the ECCE Scheme.
There are no exemptions to the lower age limit.
The State pays a capitation fee to participating playschools and daycare services. In return, they provide a pre-school service free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks.
For more information you can search:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/pre_school_education_and_childcare/early_childhood_care_and_education_scheme.html