Pre-school education and childcare
Describes the different types of child care available including creches, childminders, pre-schools. Information about childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a new scheme that provides financial support to help parents to meet the costs of childcare.
Early Start is a programme designed to boost educational achievement among disadvantaged three- and four-year-old children.
Information on childhood education, including the role of the Department of Education and Skills.
Pre-school childcare providers are regulated by law. Find out about the rules concerning play groups, day nurseries,crèches, childminders and other service providers.
The ECCE scheme provides up to 2 years of early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.
The CCS Programme supports disadvantaged parents and parents in training, education or low-paid employment to access childcare at reduced rates.
You may qualify for a subsidised childcare place, if you are attending certain types of vocational training provided by an Education and Training Board (ETB) or if you are attending secondary school.There is a separate scehme for people on Community Employment.
This document is in: Vocational education and training
Provides childcare places at reduced rates for Community Employment (CE) applicants who need childcare so that they can take up a place on a CE scheme.
If you have been unemployed and you get a new job, increase the number of hours that you work or take up a place on an employment support scheme, you may be eligible for a subsidised after-school childcare place for primary school children.
This document is in: Social welfare payments and work
School age childcare providers are regulated by law. Find out about the rules that apply to childcare services providing care to school age children.
A subsidy reducing the cost of childcare for certain children in Tusla-registered childcare.