Information for Schemes
NCS Scheme
The National Childcare Scheme provides 2 types of childcare subsidy for children over 24 weeks of age - a universal subsidy for children under 3 which is not means tested and an income assessed subsidy for children up to 15 which is means-tested.
Subsidies are paid directly to your childcare provider, however you must apply for the subsidy yourself. Your provider then subtracts your subsidy from your weekly fees.
Please see below link for further information on the Scheme and details on how to apply
NCS Scheme link https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/
ECCE Scheme
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. The scheme is offered in early years settings for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year.
All children are entitled to 2 full academic years on the ECCE scheme.
Children are eligible to start the ECCE scheme in the September of the year that they turn 3 years old. For example, a child turning 3 years old in 2020 can be registered on the ECCE scheme in September 2020.
The subsidy is paid directly to the Service with the Service applying for the subsidy on the parent’s behalf. Please note that fees will be payable for hours attending the Service outside of ECCE hours.
Children availing of the ECCE scheme may also be entitled to wrap around funding on the NCS Scheme for hours attended in the Service outside of ECCE hours.
To check when your chid is eligible to enter the ECCE Programme, please click on below link and enter your child’s date of birth
https://www.childcare.ie/ecce-calculator
