Checklist: childcare

If you are a parent or guardian of a young child and you have childcare needs you can use the lists and links below to check out the main services and entitlements for someone in your situation.

Some of the headings in the left hand column of each section link to general documents on the subject, and those in the right hand column link to details of specific payments or services.

You can find more information in the Pre-school education and childcare section of this website.

Choosing the right type of childcare for your situation:

Your childcare options Regulation of pre-schools

Help with childcare costs:

For all children of a certain age	Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme
Supports parents with the cost of childcare	National Childcare Scheme

Pre-school educational supports:

Early Start Programme for children in disadvantaged areas. Visiting teacher service for hearing and visually impaired pre-school children. Policy on early childhood education.

Health care:

Children’s health	Immunisation for children and young people Health services for pre-school children Child health services Child abuse Caring for a child with a disability
Help with medical costs	Medical Card GP Visit Card Long-Term Illness Scheme Drugs Payment Scheme

Income supports:

Family	Family Income Supplement Child Benefit Parenting alone
Carers	Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant are available to the parent’s or guardian’s of children with disabilities that require a greater level of care than another child of the same age.

Sources of information:

City and County Childcare Committees Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Ombudsman for Children