Funding

The WCCC provides information on funding to those thinking either of expanding their existing childcare service or of establishing a new service - whether it be a pre-school, a Childminding service or a school aged childcare facility. WCCC staff are available to discuss the application process as applicable and to assist providers to complete application forms where necessary, providing any additional information as required.

National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP)

Please be advised that the capital funding element of the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) is now closed to new applications. Any existing capital grants which have already been approved will continue to be supported. WCCC is awaiting information on the availability of Capital Gants for Maintenance in 2011.

ECCE Scheme

In April 2009, the government announced the introduction of The Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme (ECCE). The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides a free year of early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. In general, children are eligible for the ECCE scheme if they are aged between 3 years 2 months and 4 years 7 months on 1st September of the relevant year they will be starting. The State pays a capitation fee to participating playschools and daycare services. In return, they provide a pre-school service free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range for a set number of hours over a set period of weeks.

Sessional Services

If your child attends a half-day or “sessional” service, such as a playschool, Montessori or Naíonra, the normal pattern for the free pre-school year is 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, over 38 weeks. If your child attends for more than 3 hours, you will be charged for the extra time. If your child’s sessional service cannot open for 5 days a week, the normal pattern for the free pre-school year is 3 hours and 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week, over 41 weeks.

Daycare Services

If your child attends a full-time or part-time daycare service, the normal pattern for the free pre-school year is 2 hours and 15 minutes per day over 50 weeks. If your child attends for longer than this each day, you will be charged for the extra time. To facilitate parents whose children attend a full or part-time service for only 3 days a week, such a service can opt to provide 3 daily free pre-school sessions of 3 hours 45 minutes each week over 50 weeks.

More information is available at the following link: 

http://www.omc.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=120

Community Childcare Subvension (CCS) Scheme

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme will continue to be restricted to community not for profit childcare services
This is a scheme which enables community providers to offer parents, who meet certain criteria, a reduced childcare fee. There are 2 tiers of subvention available – Band A; (Includes Parents/Guardians whose main income derives from a social welfare payment such as one parent family payment, FIS, Jobseekers benefit/allowance) – Band B; (Includes parents who hold a medical/GP visit card).     

More information is available at the following link: 

http://www.omc.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=120

Childcare Education & Training Support Scheme Info (CETS)

The CETS scheme will support the childcare needs of participants in courses operated by FÁS and the VEC.  The following links are the information provided in 2010, these may be updated in 2011.

* CETS Questions & Answer Sheet
* CETS Terms & Conditions