ECCE Scheme explained
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is Ireland’s free, universal two-year preschool programme for eligible children before they begin primary school.
It provides three hours of preschool per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks each programme year.
Let’s Play Preschool participates in the ECCE Scheme and welcomes children who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Children can start the ECCE Scheme in September if they are at least 2 years and 8 months old by 31 August. They can remain in the scheme until the end of the preschool year in which they reach 5 years and 6 months.
WHEN CAN MY CHILD START ECCE?
Children may begin the ECCE Scheme in September of either of their two eligible preschool years.
Enter your child’s date of birth to check when they may begin the ECCE programme.
Children born in 2023:
September 2026 or September 2027
Children born in 2024:
September 2027 or September 2028
Children born in 2025:
September 2028 or September 2029
HOW DO I REGISTER MY CHILD?
Once your child has been offered a place at Let’s Play Preschool, we will provide you with an ECCE Pre-Registration Form. Please complete and return the form to us, and we will register your child through the Early Years Hive system.
We are always happy to help parents with the registration process.
At Let’s Play Preschool, children are welcome to join us up to six months before they become eligible for the ECCE Scheme. During this time, attendance is offered on a private fee-paying basis, subject to availability.