The Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) is a universal childcare programme with the stated objective of providing children with their first formal experience of early learning.

The ECCE programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 38 weeks over the academic year; September to June.

At Tír na nÓg we provide full day care and part time care. We do not offer sessional (3 hours per day) Our minimum attendance is 8.30am to 1pm, 5 days per week. We do not close for mid-term breaks, Easter or summer holidays. Our only closure is over the Christmas period from December 23^rd until January 2^nd. Therefore, the ECCE payment that we receive for your child subsidies the fee that we charge.

To apply for ECCE funding, you are required to complete an electronic pre-registration form prior to your child starting with us. We then complete the registration process and the funding is paid directly to the service and deducted from your monthly fee.

 

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

All children attending our service, including School Aged Children are eligible for the National Childcare Scheme. The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to parents, to assist with your childcare costs. The NCS provides 2 types of subsidies, for children aged from 6 months to 15 years.

The Universal Subsidy is not means tested, therefore all families, regardless of income and expenditure are eligible for the Universal Subsidy.

The Income Assessed Subsidy is as it says, and each family is awarded a unique rate in line with your income and expenditure.

Both subsidies can be claimed along with ECCE, to cover the hours outside of ECCE funded hours. School age children are also eligible for NCS funding.

To apply for NCS funding, one parent must have a GovID card. Your child must be attending or planning to attend a registered childcare provider. Parents apply on the National Childcare Scheme portal. You will receive a ‘Chick’ which is a unique code for your claim. You then send a screen shot of the award to your childcare provider who will complete the registration. You will be required to confirm the registration. Funding is paid directly to the service provider and is deducted from your monthly fee.

You will receive a full breakdown of our fee, deductions and the balance you are required to pay.

It is a requirement for parents to notify NCS of any changes to your income. It is also your responsibility to renew your award before the expiry date and to send the new Chick code screenshot to your service. Any changes you make to your claim will result in the current claim automatically ending.

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’s/children’s PPSN.

5 Points About The Universal Subsidy

• It is available to children aged 6 months to 15 years.
• It is available to families on any income level and is not means tested.
• Parents of children who avail of ECCE can also apply for the universal subsidy.
• The Universal Subsidy is €1.40 per hour for a maximum of 45 hours per week for fulltime attendance.
• 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.
• 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

1. Have a verified  GovID Card your child’s information PPSN, DOB, your own employment details and your partners details.
2. Log onto National Childcare Scheme. The site is user friendly and applying is relatively easy.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

• If your circumstances or income change during your NCS contract term you must apply for a ‘change assessment’.
• NCS can be claimed along with ECCE, for children who attend a service outside of the ECCE hours. NCS will also cover up to 45 hours per week during non-ECCE funded weeks (non-term time).
• NCS will cover school age children for days off/ school 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 awards 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.

An agreement will be made, between you and your service provider, as to how many hours are being claimed each week, for your child. It is your responsibility to ensure your child is meeting those hours. Failure to do so will mean a reduction in your NCS claimed hours, which will in turn mean an increase in the balance that you are obliged to pay to your creche.

We have developed an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum. This type of curriculum is called emergent because it evolves as choices and connections are made by the children, as they discover the world around them. There is an emphasis on child-led learning. The teacher shares control with the children; their actions, thoughts, play, ideas, and conversations guide the curriculum. At times, topics emerge from children’s interests. At other times, teachers introduce specific topics to support children’s learning and development, linked to Aistear’s themes.

We provide an inviting environment whereby children have free choice and freedom of movement within the classroom. During arts and crafts children are supplied with materials that allow them to create their own masterpieces, without any direction from the teacher.

We see immense benefits to stepping away from plastic pretend resources and use a rich array of recycled materials and natural resources. We are committed to promoting sustainability in early years. By adopting this approach, we teach the children the importance of recycling and reducing waste, and we are fostering creativity and resourcefulness.

Loose parts encourage open ended learning. Open ended materials (materials that can be used in a variety of different ways) environments and experiences encourage problem solving. Children involve themselves in concrete experiences using loose parts, which lead to explorations that occur naturally, as opposed to adult directed. They have no predetermined outcome; therefore, children decide how they are used, developing cognitive thinking, imagination and creativity.

Children’s idea of identity and belonging is nurtured through activities within the classroom and the wider community. We invite parents and grandparents to visit and to educate the children about their careers or hobbies. Children are taken on excursions to community centres, the library and the local park.

OUTDOOR PLAYTIME

Outdoor playtime is an essential part of our Part-time ECCE classes. The outdoors is the best learning environment for your children, providing opportunities for play, movement, communication and sensory experience on a much greater scale than indoors. Research shows that children who play outdoors regularly are less likely to be sick, stressed, anxious and are more adaptable to life’s unpredictable turns. In both Tír na nÓg Huntstown and Tír na nÓg Hartstown we have created inviting, interesting gardens, with many opportunities to explore and discover. Our ground surface is suitable for all weathers and is safe and hygienically cleanable. We encourage parents to send warm, water proof outdoor clothing for children during the colder months.

We are fortunate that both creches are located within a safe walking route from Hartstown park. Children are regularly taken to the park on nature and discovery walks.  Parents must pre-sign an outings permission form and extra staff accompany the troops.