Government Funded Schemes
Early Childhood Care and Education E.C.C.E.
This scheme provides one year “free” Preschool education to every child between the ages of 3yrs 2mths and 4 yrs 6 months on the first of September. It is important to understand that the free elements are limited and only relate to a certain number of hours each day. The ECCE scheme provides parents with one of two options Option A; fully subsidised sessional care or Option B; partly subsidised full day care. Parents who avail of the scheme in playschool (Option A) will be entitled to a free pre-school provision of 5 weekly sessions of 3 hours per day for 38 weeks per year. Parents who avail of the scheme within a full or part-time childcare service, will be entitled to 38 weeks of free pre-school provision amounting to a subsidy of €62.50 off their full childcare fees. Parents are reminded that places in the scheme are limited and subject to availability.
Community Childcare Subvention Scheme C.C.S.
Suaimhneas Community Childcare receives funding from the government for parents that are in receipt of social welfare payments. The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme enables us to offer childcare at a reduced cost to families in receipt of social welfare. To qualify for this scheme you will be obliged to supply PPS numbers and to provide documentary evidence of the payment you receive. This information will be required every quarter. Subvention for recipients of Jobseekers Benefit/Assistance will be capped at 2½ days per week.
Note : Failure to provide the required information could result in your subvention payment being withdrawn. If your circumstances change you must notify the crèche immediately i.e. if you are no longer in receipt of an entitlement. Immediate action will be taken by Suaimhneas Community Childcare if any persons are found to falsify records.
The Childcare Education and Training Support Scheme CETS
The objective of the CETS programme is to support parents on certain eligible FÁS and VEC courses by providing subsidised childcare places. There are approximately 2,800 places available under the programme nationally. These are divided between FÁS and VEC courses, with full-time, part-time and afterschool places available.