Eligibility Criteria

Community and privately owned Early Learning and Childcare Services and School Aged Childcare, who offer Full Time, Part Time or Sessional childcare registered with Tusla in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply for Core Funding.

Childminders who were registered with Tusla on or before 30 June 2024 for the 2023/24 programme year, are also eligible to apply.

Please note: A Pre-School Service in a Drop-in Centre and SAC services that operate Drop-in care only, are not eligible for Core Funding.

Core Funding Partner Services must meet the below criteria.

• Completed their Annual Early Years Sector Profile (AEYSP);

• Registered with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency;

• Contracted with DCEDIY to deliver ECCE and/or NCS, as appropriate:

• A service offering sessional care to the ECCE-eligible age range must offer ECCE

• A service offering care to any other age ranges must offer NCS

• A service offering care to both must offer both programmes