Early Childhood Care and Education (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.

Birth Dates for eligibility to ECCE

  • 2 February 2008 - 30 June 2009 - Sept 2012
  • 2 February 2009 - 30 June 2010 - Sept 2013
  • 2 February 2010 - 30 June 2011 - Sept 2014
    *info correct 1/9/2010

The exemption regarding children with special needs will continue to apply, as will the exemption where the local school admission policy makes it impossible for the child to otherwise avail of the ECCE place.

 



ECCE Programme Guide to the Programme and the Administrative Procedures - for Service Providers and Parents