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Your childcare options

Information

The growing number of working parents in Ireland has increased the need for childcare facilities. This document outlines the types of childcare services available. It also gives a brief introduction to the National Childcare Strategy and City/County Childcare Committees.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme started in January 2010. This scheme provides a free year of childcare and early education for children of pre-school age. The scheme replaced the Early Childcare Supplement, which ended in December 2009.

Which childcare is appropriate to my needs?

Deciding on childcare appropriate to your needs is a major decision for any parent. There are a number of factors that will make an impact on your final decision. These include:

  • Your child’s age
  • Whether you need full or part-time care
  • The hours you need services (regular, daytime, evenings or weekends)
  • Your budget
  • Services available in your area.

By law, pre-school childcare facilities must be notified to, and be inspected by the Health Service Executive (HSE) which has published a list of tips on choosing a pre-school. More detailed information about the regulation of childcare services is available from your Local Health Office - see 'Where to apply' below. Your City/County Childcare Committee can provide a list of childcare providers in your area. They can also put you in touch with your local HSE pre-school officer -see 'How to apply' below. When enquiring from a childcare service provider about your childcare options, check that staff are qualified and the provider has appropriate childcare policies and procedures (child protection, behaviour management and fire and accident etc). It is also important to check fees, hours, and holiday periods. Make sure to visit when there are children present, so you get a feel for the atmosphere.

Types of childcare options

Some childcare options may be distinguished simply by their opening hours or management structures, and others by the curriculum of education that they use. Staff training can also determine the type of service available, as can the general needs of parents in your area. Different types of childcare services include:

Full day care
This is a structured care service for more than 3.5 hours per day. Providers care for children from 3 months to 6 years. Some may also include an after-school facility. In full day care, sleeping arrangements and food preparation must meet standards laid down by the Health Service Executive. Providers include day nurseries and crèches.

Sessional services
These services offer a planned programme consisting of up to 3.5 hours per session (such as a morning or an afternoon). Generally, they cater for children between 2 and 6 years of age. These services may also be provided for younger children. In order to provide a sessional childcare service, a recognised childcare qualification is required. Sessional services include:

  • Montessori groups: which focus on individualised education, teaching social skills and maximising children’s development. They cater to children up to the age of 6.
  • Parent and toddler groups: where a group of parents, guardians or carers and children come together for supervised play and companionship for their parents.
  • Naíonraí: which are nursery schools or playschools operating through Irish.
  • Playschools: which give children an opportunity to play with other children of a similar age, learn to share and take turns and to understand the rules of the classroom, such as listening.

Childminders
Childminders care for children in the minder’s own home. A childminder can care for up to 5 children under 6 years of age (including the childminder’s own). The service is usually offered for the full working day or for different periods during the day. Parents and childminders arrange their own terms and conditions.

As part of the National Childminding Initiative, childminding development grants and guidelines for childminders (pdf) are available to childminders from their local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). In addition, there is a childminder’s tax relief for people who mind up to 3 children in their own home. No tax is payable on their childminding earnings provided the earnings are less than €15,000 per year. If the earnings exceed this amount, tax is payable on the full amount. Childminders must include their childminding income in their annual tax return. They must also notify their local CCC that they are providing a childminding service.

Drop-in centres
A drop-in centre offers a service for short periods during the day. These centres are often provided in shopping centres, leisure centres, accommodation facilities, etc. The service is provided as part of a customer or client service and children are looked after while the parent is availing of a service or attending an event.

School-age childcare
Services for schoolchildren aged 4 to 15 years can include breakfast clubs, after school clubs and school holiday programmes such as summer camps, etc. Depending on the service, there may also be homework supervision, planned activities or a nutritious meal.

Affordable childcare
Affordable childcare is intended to provide childcare for families on lower incomes, and also to support parents to return to work or education. This type of service is called a community childcare (not-for-profit) facility. Funding is available through the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). For more information on affordable childcare services in your area, contact your local City/County Childcare Committee - see 'Where to apply' below.

National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010

As part of the National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010 the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) is responsible for increasing the supply and quality of childcare facilities in Ireland. It is also responsible for co-ordinating activities from national to local level. It has succeeded the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) but the EOCP will continue to operate until all its current commitments are honoured.

The NCIP Capital Programme is closed to new applicants at present.

Community Childcare Subvention Scheme: The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme aims to support all community-based childcare services to enable them to provide quality childcare services at reduced rates to disadvantaged parents. This scheme is part of the NCIP and came into effect on 1 January 2008. There is further information in More about this Topic.

The Childcare Directorate of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has responsibility for implementing the National Childcare Strategy 2006-2010 and manages the EOCP and the NCIP in conjunction with Pobal. It has published a guide to the National Childcare Strategy for parents.

City/County Childcare Committees

The City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme. They develop and implement a co-ordinated strategy for the provision of quality, affordable and accessible childcare within each county. The CCCs help communities identify gaps in current childcare services and develop new services to meet these needs. They provide information on funding and grant applications and facilitate a co-ordinated approach to childcare training at all levels.

Rates

Childcare costs depend the type of childcare you choose, the number of hours and the level of staff training in that facility.

There is no charge for the year of pre-school education provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme.

How to apply

Your local City/County Childcare Committee will have a list of childcare providers in your area. You can also apply to the HSE preschool officer at your Local Health Office for information about childcare services locally. Public health nurses will often be familiar with local services and childminders within your area and can be contacted at your local health centre.

There is a list of national voluntary childcare organisations which promote quality in childcare.

Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme: Childcare providers who wish to participate in this scheme should apply to their local City or County Childcare Committee – see ‘Where to apply’ below. The application form and further information for childcare providers are on the website of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Childminders: If you are interested in becoming a childminder, you should contact your local City/County Childcare Committee for further information about the Quality Awareness Lecture Programme. On completion of this programme, childminders may avail of a capital grant of up to €630 under the Childminder Development Grant Scheme.

Community (not-for-profit) childcare providers: Capital grants to develop childcare facilities and grants under the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme are available under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). Community childcare providers should apply to their local City/County Childcare Committee for further information.

Where to apply

Contact your local City/County Childcare Committee.
Contact your local health centre.
Contact your Local Health Office.

Further information

Community Childcare Subvention Scheme

As part of the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) the Community Childcare Subvention Scheme 2008-2010 (CCSS) succeeded the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP). The CCSS supports community-based childcare services based on the actual number of children of disadvantaged parents using their services. The scheme enables childcare services provide quality services at reduced rates to disadvantaged parents. From September 2010 the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) funds community childcare services to provide reduced weekly fees to certain parents as follows:

  • Band A - parents getting certain social welfare payments, Family Income Supplement or on a Community Employment or Rural Social Scheme will get a weekly fee reduction of €100 for a full-time service, €50 for a part-time service, €33 for sessional service and €16 for a shorter hours service. Children of parents getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance may attend a full-time service but the weekly fee reduction will be no more than €50.
  • Band B – those with a medical or GP visit card will get a fee reduction of €50 for a full-time service, €25 for a part-time service, €17 for a sessional service and €8.50 for a shorter hours service.

Parents whose child is getting the free year of preschool education under the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme, may not also get a CCS fee reduction at the same time. Parents can decide which scheme would be most advantageous to them.

There are further details about the Community Childcare Subvention on the Pobal website

Community childcare providers already funded under the scheme and new entrants can apply to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for funding.

Page updated: 15 October 2010

Language

Gaeilge

Related Documents

  • Regulation of pre-school childcare services in Ireland
    Pre-school childcare providers are regulated by law. Find out about the rules concerning play groups, day nurseries,crèches, childminders and other service providers.
  • Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme
    The ECCE scheme provides a free year of early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.
  • Becoming a Parent
    Are you or is someone you know about to become a parent? A guide to State services in Ireland and overview of some of the issues that will concern you, whatever your situation.

Contact Us

If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.