Schemes

We offer the National Childcare Scheme which is a government funded scheme which aims to make high quality childcare more affordable. You can avail of significant discounts on your monthly childcare fees through this scheme.

There are two subsidy options available:

• Universal subsidy which is not means tested and provides the minimum rate of €2.14 per hour for 45 hours per week. This option is most suitable if your family income combined is €60,000 or above.
• Income-assessed subsidy is means tested and will provide a higher subsidy to families who’s combined income is less than €60,000 per year. Rates will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.

You will find all the information required to calculate and then apply for your childcare subsidy on the national childcare scheme website: www.ncs.gov.ie

The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) is a free, universal two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE). It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school.

The programme is provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over 38 weeks per year. At Dunaree, we have morning and afternoon sessions available. We also have options to add additional extras such as extra hours and a nutritious hot meal to the ECCE pre-school programme.

Please refer to the table below to see when your child will be eligible to enrol in this scheme: