The ECCE Scheme explained
At Jellystone Park Creche, Nursery & Montessori childcare is our business. Talking to parents of children in our crèche we have noticed that a lot of people have questions about the ECCE scheme how it operates, the benefits and its duration. We have attempted to outline the core elements of the scheme in this article. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact a member of our friendly team and we shall be more than happy to assist you.
About the ECCE Scheme
The ECCE is a scheme designed to give children access to a free Pre-school Year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting-point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment.
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 over 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months on 1 September of the year that they will be starting.
The programme is administered by the Childcare Directorate of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, www.dcya.gov.ie with the local operation of the programme managed by the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs)
It is a fundamental principle of the scheme that the pre-school year is available free to parents, and all participating services are obliged to meet the costs of the free pre-school year out of the capitation fees. Services may, however, charge parents for any additional services provided, including additional hours and additional activities, provided that these are optional to parents and that appropriate programme-based activities are available to children not participating in the additional activities.
Eligible age range
In general, children are eligible for the ECCE scheme if they are aged between 3 years 2 months and 4 years 7 months on 1 September of the year that they will be starting.
This means that children born between 2 February 2010 and 30 June 2011 (both these dates included) are eligible to take part in the scheme for the school year 2014/2015.
If you would like to enroll your child with our service here at Jellystone Park Crèche, Montessori and Nursery, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff today on 01-2354946 or email jellystoneparknursery@gmail.com and we will be more than happy to assist you.
For example – My child already attends Jellystone on a full or part-time basis already. So what does this mean to me?
Jellystone operate the ECCE scheme according to the ECCE Calander supplied at the beginning of each ECCE year. Jellystone will receive a capitalisation for each child on the scheme. The amount is €62.50 per week, or €237.50 per month. This amount will be applied directly to your childs monthly fee and deducted in full if your child attends 5 days a week, or on a pro-rata basis if your child attends on a part time basis.
I hope you find the information useful, and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff on 01 2354946, or email us on jellystoneparknursery@gmail.com.
