Oakview Village Childcare, Tralee

As part of an initiative by the Irish Government under the ECCE scheme it is possible to enroll your child in our Headstart Preschool free of charge.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

The Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE) provides one year of free pre-school education to every child in Ireland aged between 3 years and 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1st September each year. The ECCE Scheme was announced by the government in April 2009.

The introduction of the free pre-school year is a major development in the area of early childhood care and education. As a universal scheme, it is hoped that all children will be able to benefit from a pre-school place in this highly important developmental year before they commence national school.

What is the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)?

The ECCE is a scheme 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.

Will my child be eligible?

The ECCE is open to all children aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1 September each year. To avail of the free pre-school year in September 2011, children must have been born between 2 February 2007 and 30 June 2008. The upper age limit of 4 years 6 months will be extended where a child cannot start primary school until s/he is more than 5 years 6 months of age, due to either the enrolment policy of the local schools or having been assessed as developmentally delayed.

 

How can I enroll my child for the free Pre-School Year at Oakview Village Childcare?

Parents can contact Oakview Village Childcare to arrange for enrolment or transfer.

Please phone Clodagh, Centre Manager on  066 7127400 or 086 1097135.

How is the Pre-School Year funded?

As a participating centre in the scheme, Oakview Village Childcare is paid a capitation fee for each qualifying child enrolled. In return, Oakview Village Childcare will provide an appropriate programme of activities in early childhood care and education (ECCE) which will be free to parents.

How will the Pre-School Year be provided at Oakview Village?

At Oakview village Childcare we offer 2 ECCE models:

1. For sessional services: 3 hours per day / 5 days a week / 38 weeks a year
2. For full day care services: 2.25 hours per day / 5 days a week / 50 weeks a year

Children attending a full or part-time service will normally receive pre-school year sessions for 2 hours 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week over 50 weeks.

Will parents have to pay additional charges to Oakview Village Childcare for the free Pre-School Year?

No additional charges will apply for the free Pre-school year. As Oakview Village Childcare participates in the scheme we provide the pre-school year free to parents. However, we may charge parents for any additional services.
For example, we can charge for hours which are additional to the free pre- school provision e.g. if a child is in a full-day service for 10 hours, a parent should expect to pay for the 7 hours, 45 minutes per day which are not free. An additional 30 minutes per day, which would be charged for, may be offered to a child in a sessional playschool. Outings etc can also be charged for, provided they are optional for parents.