Information for Parents

The free Pre-School Year Scheme in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) starts in January 2010.  The scheme is being introduced by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA), with the local work being done by the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs).Kilkenny County Childcare Committee welcomes the scheme as it is a significant step in the development of early childhood care and education and the entitlement is for all eligible children regardless of the income of the family in the year prior to the start of primary school.

 Eligible children entering the scheme in January are those born between the 2^nd February 2005 and 30^th June 2006. 

It will be compulsory for childcare services in the scheme to have qualified childcare staff (with a minimum FETAC level 5 qualification in Childcare). The services will be expected to comply with the requirements of the new National Quality Framework for Early Education (Siolta) This should provide an assurance to parents that a quality service is being delivered and that their child will enjoy positive learning experiences which will match their interests and stage of development. 

Commenting on the scheme Gretta Murphy Co-ordinator of Kilkenny County Childcare Committee stated that almost all of Early Education and Childcare Services in Kilkenny will be participating on the scheme and there are enough places for eligible children, so parents should be able to access places. 

The following provides information for parents on the eligibility and the steps required to register children for the free-pre-school year.  

What is the ECCE scheme?

This is a new government scheme which funds a free Pre-School place  in a qualifying service where there will be appropriate programme-based activities for the child in the year before they start primary school

How do I know if my child is eligible for the ECCE scheme? 

If your child was born: 

Between 2^nd February 2005 & 30^th June 2006

-          You are eligible for a free place from January 2010 to June/August 2010 

Between 1^st of March 2006 & 30^th June 2007

-          You are eligible for a free place from September 2010 

Exceptions will be allowed in either of the following situations: 

1. Where children have been assessed by the HSE as having special needs which will delay their entry to school. For this parents will need to write to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) with a copy of the HSE assessment or that of a consultant. 
2. If due to the enrolment policy of the local primary school the children would be starting school at an older age. For this parents will need a letter from the Principal of the local national school specifying their entry age policy

 How do I get a place?

• Contact Kilkenny County Childcare Committee for a list of Services in the County they can also offer information and advice on choosing services
• Make contact with some of the Services  – check if they  have a place available
• Arrange to view the services to help decide which service is most suitable and to help with your decision.

What if my child is not eligible for a place?

Your child may be too young to be eligible for a place in which case you must wait until September but in some cases you may still be able to reduce your childcare costs through the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme if your child attends a community childcare service – contact Kilkenny County Childcare Committee to check this out.

What will my child’s pre-school place cost me?

If your child is eligible for the scheme then you are entitled to a pre-school session of 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, 38 weeks per year, for which you will not be charged anything. 

Some full and part time services will provide your child with their pre-school session 2 hrs 15 minutes per session, 5 days per week across 50 weeks, for which you will not be charged anything. 

Some pre-school services may offer the scheme 3 hours 45 minutes per day, 4 days per week, 41 weeks per year, for which you will not be charged anything. 

You will have to talk to your chosen childcare provider to see what service they offer. 

Are there any other costs to me?

If you need full or part time care for your pre-school child then you will be charged for the additional hours that you need. 

A service may offer you some additional services for example additional services include extra hours, meals, special outings, special classes etc. these are optional to you and you will have to pay for them. 

If you don’t want the additional activities for your child, the childcare service must provide an appropriate alternative activity for your child. 

How will I know if it’s a quality service?

•  A good quality Childcare/Early Childhood Care and Education service will provide ongoing positive experiences for children by supporting them in their own interests and natural sense of wonder and their desire for independence.
• It will be notified to the Pre School Inspection Team in the HSE and is compliant with the Child Care (Pre-school) regulations 2006
• It will have appropriately qualified staff to work with the children
• The service will work with you in partnership so that together you can support your child’s learning and development.
• It will use play as a key way in which to help your child learn and develop.

If you have any queries about this scheme or would like to discuss it further contact Kilkenny County Childcare Committee by phone on 056 7752865  or email at  info@kkcc.ie.

Further information on the ECCE scheme can also be found on our website at www.kkccc.ie

 Information for Childcare Providers

For information regarding general terms and conditions of participation in the ECCE scheme click here

Further information on the ECCE scheme can be accessed from the Office of the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs website