Irish Childcare Schemes
ECCE Scheme Ireland
Complete Guide 2026
Everything childcare providers need to know about the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free preschool programme.
What is ECCE?
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme provides free preschool education for children in Ireland. Funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, ECCE allows eligible children to attend a participating childcare service for free during the programme year.
The scheme is designed to support children's development and school readiness in the years before they start primary school. It's available to all children meeting the age criteria, regardless of family income.
ECCE Eligibility Requirements
Age Requirements (2025/2026 Programme Year)
Minimum Age
Child must be 2 years and 8 months (2 years 8 months) on or before the start of the programme year
Maximum Age
Child must not turn 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year (late June)
Programme Year Dates
The ECCE year typically runs from late August/early September to late June, spanning 38 weeks
Note: Most children qualify for two years of ECCE. Check the Department's eligibility calculator for specific date of birth requirements.
ECCE Hours and Sessions
15
Hours per Week
Free preschool education hours provided
38
Weeks per Year
Programme year duration (Sept-June)
570
Total Hours
Per year of ECCE entitlement
Session Delivery Options
Providers can deliver ECCE hours flexibly. Common patterns include:
- Standard: 3 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Extended morning: 3.75 hours per day, 4 days per week
- Full-day integration: Combined with additional paid hours
Parents cannot be charged for the ECCE hours, but may pay for additional hours, meals, or optional extras like outings.
Provider Obligations
Registration Requirements
- Registered with Tusla (Early Years Inspectorate)
- Contracted with Pobal/DCEDIY for ECCE
- Minimum qualification requirements met
Ongoing Compliance
- Accurate attendance records maintained
- Claims submitted via Early Years Hive
- Annual compliance requirements met
How CrecheHQ Automates ECCE
CrecheHQ takes the complexity out of ECCE administration with automatic eligibility tracking, compliant attendance records, and seamless invoice generation.
Automatic Eligibility
Calculates ECCE eligibility based on date of birth and programme year dates
Attendance Tracking
Records attendance in compliance with Pobal requirements
Invoice Integration
Automatically applies ECCE hours when generating family invoices
Compliance Dashboard
Monitor attendance thresholds and spot issues before they become problems
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the ECCE scheme in Ireland
What age can a child start ECCE in Ireland?
A child must be at least 2 years and 8 months old on or before the start date of the programme year (typically late August/early September). Children can participate until they reach the upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months.
How many hours of free preschool does ECCE provide?
ECCE provides 15 hours per week of free preschool education over 38 weeks (the programme year). This equates to 3 hours per day, 5 days a week, or can be provided in longer sessions over fewer days.
When does the ECCE programme year start and end?
The ECCE programme year runs from late August/early September to late June, aligned with the primary school calendar. The exact dates are published by the Department of Children each year.
Can a child do two years of ECCE?
Yes, most children are eligible for two full years of ECCE, depending on their date of birth. A child can participate from age 2 years 8 months until they reach 5 years 6 months or start primary school.
How do childcare providers claim ECCE funding?
Providers claim ECCE funding through the Early Years Hive portal operated by Pobal. Claims are submitted based on registered children and their attendance. CrecheHQ automates this process by tracking eligibility and generating compliant attendance records.
Simplify ECCE Administration
Join CrecheHQ and automate your ECCE eligibility tracking, attendance records, and invoicing.
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