The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.
Children can start ECCE when they are 2 years and 8 months of age and continue until they transfer to primary school (provided that they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year) - see 'Is my child eligible for ECCE' below.
The State pays participating playschools and daycare services a set amount per child for the ECCE service. In return, participating centres and playschools provide a pre-school service free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range. The service is for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks see ‘How the ECCE scheme is provided’ below.
Your child cannot be enrolled in the ECCE Programme and Early Start Programme at the same time.
Is my child eligible for ECCE?
Eligible age range
The programme is available to children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before 1 September. Children can continue in the programme until they transfer to primary school if they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year on 30 June.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has an eligibility calendar showing when your child can participate in the ECCE programme.
Exemptions from age limit
If your child has additional needs they may get an exemption from the ECCE upper age limit. For more information and to apply for an exemption contact EYQueries@equality.gov.ie.
There are no exemptions to the lower age limit.
How the ECCE scheme is provided
We provide ECCE for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 38 weeks a year.