Free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
As part of the April 2009 Budget, the Government announced a new programme to provide for a free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) with effect from January 2010. The programme is administered by the Childcare Directorate of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, with the local operation of the programme managed by the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs). The objective of the ECCE programme, which is open to both community and commercial service providers, is to benefit children in the key developmental period prior to starting school. Children are eligible to avail of the programme where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1st September each year. (Children aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months are accepted as qualifying.)
ECCE Payment Schedule for September 2011 - August 2012
ECCE PAYMENT CALENDAR
For the 38/41 week scheme -
the first term payment covers 16 weeks up to 8th January 2012, the second
term payment covers 11 weeks up to 15th April 2012, the final term payment
will cover 11 weeks up to 1st July 2012.
For the 50 week scheme -
the first term payment covers 18 weeks up to 8th January 2012, the second
term payment covers 13 weeks up to 15th April 2012, the third term payment
covers 11 weeks up to 1st July 2012, followed by the final payment of 8
weeks up to 26th August 2012.
Update on Qualification Requirements for Higher Capitation Rate
November 2011: We have received an update from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the qualification requirements for services applying for the higher rate of capitation.
Compliance Visits
Each service approved for the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme (Free Pre-School Year) is subject to an on-site compliance visit by Pobal to ensure that the conditions of the programme are being complied with as detailed in the ECCE grant funding agreement.
The purpose of the compliance visit is to:
1. Confirm the existence and operation of your pre-school service
2. Verify that the actual number of Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) approved ECCE childcare places in your service correspond with the number of children enrolled and attending on the day of the visit. The list of approved ECCE child places issued by the DCYA will be used to verify places.
3. Verify that the ECCE Fees Policy approved by Dublin City Childcare Committee (DCCC) is being implemented.
4. Verify that parents are in receipt of the appropriate capitation.
5. Verify that there are records available for the amounts paid by parents in relation to optional extras/extra time and voluntary donations.
6. Verify qualifications of staff working directly with ECCE children in your service.
During the on-site visit, Pobal will require access to all of the following information/documents maintained by your service:
Attendance records for the current year's enrolment commencing from September 2011.
A copy of the ECCE 2011/2012 Fees Policy approved by Dublin City Childcare Committee. If you did not keep a copy of this, you may request a copy from DCCC.
Fee income records e.g. a fees record book/receipts book for the current year¡¦s enrolment.
Parent's handbook or letter(s) used by the service to advise parents of fees and optional extra charges that parents can avail of.
Some additional information that will be verified during your compliance visit includes: engagement with Siolta & Aistear, details of your facility i.e. the type of service (sessional, part-time, full-time), occupancy levels, opening hours, numbers of staff etc. and publicity requirements for services approved funding under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 ¡V 2006 (EOCP).
ECCE Scheme Forms
New Entrant Form
Transfer Form
Child Leaving ECCE Scheme Form
ECCE To Cets Form
ECCE To Cets To ECCE
Change In Level Of Service Form
Defferal Form
New Applicants EFT Form
Change Of Bank Details EFT Form
Higher Capitation Form
Cets To ECCE
Fee Policy Information
ECCE reminder - optional charges to Parents under the ECCE Scheme
ECCE Fee Policy Template
ECCE Contracts Q and A
ECCE Scheme Criteria for Childminders