Affordable Childcare in Dublin 15
Affordable Childcare
What Parent’s Should Know
Updated 20/2/2020
The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to parents, to assist with their childcare costs. The NCS provides 2 types of subsidy. For children over 6 months and under 3 there is a Universal Subsidy, which is not means tested. The Income Assessed Subsidy is for children up to the age of 15, and is means tested. The Income Assessed Subsidy can be claimed along with ECCE, and covers hours outside of ECCE, for children who attend part-time and full-time day care.
At Tír na nÓg we are contracted with the DCYA for NCS and the ECCE scheme. The parent’s in our creches who have applied for NCS are very pleased with the funding they are receiving towards their childcare costs. Families who were not eligible for assistance with their fees under the old schemes, are now eligible for funding, including school aged children and children who are receiving ECCE but need hours outside of the ECCE session. As childcare providers we welcome the increase in funding, we acknowledge that it has improved immensely in the past 5 years, we also recognise that there is a long way to go to bring us in line with other EU counties.
To apply for NCS one parent must have a GovID Card and your child must be attending or planning to attend a registered childcare provider. Parents apply themselves here National Childcare Scheme. You will receive an award ‘Chick’ which you bring to your childcare provider who will complete the registration. Subsidies are paid directly to the childcare provider, and are subtracted from your weekly fee. A contract will be drawn up between you and your provider.
A parent or legal guardian can apply. You must be ordinarily resident in Ireland. You will be required to provide your own PPSN and your child/children’s PPSN.
5 Points About The Universal Subsidy
- It is available to children aged 6 months to 3 years who are not on the ECCE programme.
- It is available to families on any income level and is not means tested.
- Parents of children who are aged 3 but have not met the eligibility for the ECCE programme can apply.
- The Universal Subsidy is 50c per hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week.
- Your childcare provider must be registered with Tusla and have a contract with the DCYA for the National Childcare Scheme.
5 Points About The Income Assessed Subsidy
- It is available to children aged 6 months to 15 years.
- It is means tested and available to families with an annual reckonable income of up to €60,000.
- The subsidy hourly rates are subject to individual circumstances, and the age of the child.
- The Income Assessed Subsidy is available for school aged children for Breakfast Clubs and Afterschool Care.
- Your childcare provider must be registered with Tusla and have a contract with the DCYA for the National Childcare Scheme.
5 Steps To Receive The NCS Subsidy
- Have a verified GovID Card your child’s information PPSN, DOB, your own employment details and your partners details.
- Log onto National Childcare Scheme. The site is user friendly and applying is relatively easy.
- Once your application is approved online you will receive a personal identification code ‘Chick’ which your childcare provider will need to complete the registration. This will include the hours and rate awarded.
- The childcare provider will complete the registration and you will receive a notification from NCS to confirm the application. It is imperative that you confirm promptly in order for your provider to receive funding.
- Once the provider receives confirmation, they will adjust your fee and a contract will be drawn up between you and your childcare provider.
Things To Note About Affordable Childcare
- If your circumstances or income change during your NCS contract term you must apply for a ‘change assessment’.
- NCS (Income Assessed ONLY) can be claimed along with ECCE, for children who attend a service outside of the ECCE hours. NCS will also cover up to 40 hours per week during non-ECCE funded weeks (non-term time).
- NCS will cover school age children for days off/ holidays where full-day care is required (non-term time)
- If you are unhappy with your award you can have your claim reviewed by Pobal.
- You can apply if you are unemployed or a student. Hourly rewards will be based on your personal circumstances.
- Your provider must register a continuous absence lasting four or more consecutive weeks, on the Provider Portal. There are special circumstances including family bereavement, extended travel to the birth place of child/parent (once per year) prolonged illness.
At Tír na nÓg we are registered for The National Childcare Scheme. We understand the financial strains on parents who have children in day care. We believe that parents choices should be based on their preference and their child’s needs being met and should not be a financial decision. The Universal Subsidy and The National Childcare Scheme is a step in the right direction and we can only hope that the DCYA (Department of Children and Youth Affairs) continue to invest in Early Childhood Care and Education.
If you are living in the Dublin 15 area and are interested is availing of sudsidised childcare under the above schemes and you want to enquire about availability for childcare places at out two childcare facilities in Huntstown or Heartstown in Dublin 15, then please do not hesitate to contact us here to find out more
Tir na nÓg Hunstown
26 Hunstown Lawn, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
01 8220515
To send message to Tir na nÓg Huntsown please fill in the form below
Tír na nÓg Hartstown
26 Hunstown Lawn, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
01 8225693
To send message to Tir na nÓg Hartstown please fill in the form below