Ready for Pre-school

All children can avail of two years of free preschool under the universal Early Childhood and Care and Education Programme (ECCE). The programme is available to all children who have turned two years and eight months of age by the start of the programme year in September and will not be more than five years and six months by the end of the 2nd (add in) programme year.

The state pays participating early learning and care services a set amount per child to offer the ECCE programme. In return, participating services provide a preschool service that is free of charge to all children within the qualifying age range.

The service is for three hours a day, five days a week, over a period of 38 weeks. Children already attending an early learning and childcare service may simply transfer into the preschool room when they reach the qualifying age. For other children it will be their first time leaving the care of parents or childminder.

Starting preschool can be a big transition for young children so we made this animation video for parents/ guardians to show their child. We hope it helps your young child understand and be excited for their first transition.

Pre-school helps children:

• by supporting children as they develop the important skills, they need to be independent learners;
• improve their language, communication and social skills through playing and interacting with other children and adults;
• make new friends and develop new relationships with adults;
• develop well-being skills – for example, children learn to balance on play equipment and practise fine motor skills like drawing with a pencil and cutting with scissors, eat with others and self-care skills;
• develop exploring and thinking, problem-solving and creative thinking skills;
• develop identity and belonging, responsibility, independence, confidence and self-worth through doing things like looking after their own belongings and spending time away from home;
• get ready for the transition to school.

The ECCE Programme offers both indoor and outdoor learning experiences, as well as opportunities for solo play and group play.

Indoor learning experiences often include:

• painting, drawing and writing
• playdough play and sensory activities
• puzzles and games
• construction – for example, with blocks or Lego
• books
• home corners with play kitchens and dressing up

Outdoor learning experiences often include:

• play in the natural environment
• constructing with others
• sand and water play
• pretend play
• climbing, running and jumping

Group learning experiences often include:

• stories
• songs
• circle time
• music and movement

This summer leading up to September you can support your child’s transition to pre-school by ensuring they can:

• wash their hands
• put on and take off their coat (also a handy skill for dressing up)
• use the bathroom (pre-school staff know that accidents happen)
• put on their shoes (think about getting them shoes they can manage easily)
• open their lunch box or lunch bag (lunches will be healthy foods only in pre-school)
• work on turn taking and sharing (this will be a work in progress)

Naíonrí

Over 10 % of pre-schools in Ireland are Irish language pre-schools.

The naíonra is an early-immersion setting for children aged 3-5 years, supervised by an early-years teacher. Children of this age learn through play and this is done through the Irish language in a naíonra setting. A booklet for parents on what to expect in the naíonra is available here.

NCS – The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help families with their early learning and care childcare costs.

There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:

• Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on the applicants’ individual circumstances. The rate varies depending on level of family income, child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family.

For further information please click the following link: Home · Applicant Portal (ncs.gov.ie)