Please click on the button below for eligibility dates for the Free Pre-school (ECCE) programme.

The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support for parents towards the cost of their childcare. The Scheme includes two types of subsidies. There is also an option for a sponsor application or sponsor referral for specific situations.

For more information on this scheme and how to apply, please click on the button below.

Contact the Parent Support Centre for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS):

• Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm.
• Phone: (01) 906 8530

Contact the NCS Sponsors Team: Dedicated Phone Line/Email Address.

• Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
• Phone: (01) 906 8535 Email: sponsors@ncs.gov.ie

Please note that the NCS Sponsors Team can only support on Sponsor-related queries.

YouTube videos on the NCS Applicant Portal

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8N_sFKV6LV7GP4ID2jZjxHk6yWUiioh

More information on this scheme is also available here from the National Website for Early Learning and Childcare.

The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year free pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. This programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. This programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June each year.

There is one point of entry at the beginning of the programme year. The programme will be available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before September 1st as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months of age on or before June 30th of the programme year.