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ECCE grants and the new National Childcare Scheme

NOTE: The ECCE scheme still stands! The NCS (see opposite) runs parallel to ECCE, but it does not replace it.

Very broadly, the two schemes differ as follows:

   ECCE provides a flat sum (€2622 p.a.) for very young children
   2 years 8 months–5 years 6 months and is not means-tested
   NCS offers a subsidy covering an entire childhood up to age 15.

ECCE     The Early Childhood Care and Education scheme was introduced by government in 2010.

The scheme provides free preschool for every child from
2 years 8 months–5 years 6 months, regardless of means.

Bright Sparks receives a subvention which entitles your child to attend for three hours per day during the September–June school year. We do not charge top-up fees.

Your child can enter the scheme provided they have reached 2 years 8 months on or before September 1. The entry date is September, subject to availability.

National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

The National Childcare Scheme offers two types of subsidies, Universal Subsidy and Income Assessed Subsidy. To find out more, and to view a video on the NCS home page, click here »

Within the NCS site there is a section covering eligibility criteria and other details: click here »

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NCS: This helpful video will explain the scheme

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