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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Question: How do I access the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme for my 2 year-old child?
Answer: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. It gives children their first formal experience of early learning before starting primary school.
Your child can start ECCE when they are 2 years and 8 months of age and continue until they transfer to primary school (once they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year). The Department of Children and Youth Affairs’ eligibility calendar shows when your child can participate in the ECCE Scheme.
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If your child has special needs they may be able to get an exemption from the upper age limit. If you have a child with a disability, you can also apply for additional supports under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) – you can find more information on aim.gov.ie.
Children can only enrol in pre-school in September. The ECCE Scheme runs from September to June for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. If your child attends a childcare service (crèche, playschool, naíonra, Montessori or parent and toddler group) for longer than this each day or for extra weeks outside the school year (38 weeks) you have to pay for these extra hours.
To get a place for your child, apply to a participating playschool or day care centre. You can get a list of participating services from your local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC) on myccc.ie. You will need to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport and their PPS number.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
• Contact us in Tralee on Tel: 0761 07 7860 Killarney 0761 07 7820, Listowel 0761 07 7840 Kenmare 0761 07 7810, & Caherciveen 0761 07 7780. Outreach Services; Killorglin weekly, Dingle monthly, please call Tralee for more information.
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000
