Irish Childcare Subsidies
National Childcare Scheme
Complete Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about NCS subsidies, CHICK numbers, eligibility, and claiming payments as a childcare provider.
What is NCS?
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is Ireland’s national programme of financial support for childcare. Launched in 2019, it provides subsidies to help families with the cost of registered childcare services.
NCS offers two types of subsidies:
- Universal subsidy: Available to all families with children aged 24 weeks to 15 years, regardless of income
- Income-assessed subsidy: Higher hourly rates where reckonable income is under €60,000, with the maximum rates applying at the lowest incomes
Parents apply for NCS online at ncs.gov.ie, and the subsidy is paid directly to the childcare provider, who must use it to reduce the parent's bill. The family pays the remaining balance as a co-payment, and a provider may charge at most the difference between their approved fee-table rate and the subsidy.
Understanding CHICK Numbers
What is a CHICK Number?
A CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key) is a unique code assigned to each child when their parent registers for NCS. Providers need this number to register the child for subsidies in Early Years Hive.
Parent Applies Online
Parent registers at ncs.gov.ie using MyGovID and applies for NCS for their child
CHICK Number Issued
Upon approval, the parent receives a unique CHICK number for each child
Provider Registers Child
Provider enters the CHICK number in Early Years Hive to claim subsidies
Provider Tip: Store CHICK numbers securely in your childcare management system. CrecheHQ includes a dedicated field for CHICK numbers on each child’s profile.
NCS Subsidy Rates
Rates depend on family income and child's circumstances
| Subsidy Type | Rate | Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|
Universal Available to all children aged 24 weeks to 15 years | €2.14/hour | All families |
Income-Assessed Means-tested based on family income, child age, and circumstances | Up to €5.10/hour | Below €60,000 |
Hourly rates shown are those in effect for the 2025/26 programme year. From 31 August 2026 the lower reckonable income threshold rises from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper threshold from €60,000 to €68,000, and the Multiple Child Discount rises from €4,300 to €5,500 for two children and from €8,600 to €11,000 for three or more. Existing awards are recalculated automatically — but where a rate changes, the parent’s co-payment must be updated and the parent informed. Check ncs.gov.ie for current rates.
Universal vs Income-Assessed Subsidies
Universal Subsidy
- Available to all families regardless of income
- Children aged 24 weeks to 15 years
- €2.14 per hour
- Up to 45 hours a week where parents work or study, 20 hours otherwise
- No means test required
Income-Assessed Subsidy
- Higher subsidies for families earning under €60,000
- Children aged 24 weeks to 15 years
- Up to €5.10 per hour
- Up to 45 hours a week where parents work or study, 20 hours otherwise
- Maximum rates apply at the lowest incomes
How CrecheHQ Handles NCS
CrecheHQ automatically calculates NCS subsidies, tracks CHICK numbers, and integrates with your invoicing to ensure parents see accurate costs.
CHICK Number Storage
Secure field on each child's profile for their unique CHICK number
Subsidy Calculation
Automatically applies NCS subsidy rates when generating invoices
Attendance Tracking
Records hours in compliance with NCS claiming requirements
Family Invoicing
Shows full cost, NCS subsidy, and amount due clearly on each invoice
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the National Childcare Scheme
What is the NCS (National Childcare Scheme)?
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a statutory entitlement under the Childcare Support Act 2018 that helps families with the cost of childcare. It provides both universal subsidies for all families with children aged 24 weeks to 15 years, and higher income-assessed subsidies for families under the reckonable income threshold. Only Tusla-registered providers, including childminders, can participate.
What is a CHICK number and how do I get one?
A CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key) is a unique identifier issued for each child approved for NCS. Parents apply online at ncs.gov.ie using a verified MyGovID account, or by post using the paper application form. Once approved, they give the CHICK to their childcare provider. A CHICK expires at most 12 months from the date the award is notified, so it is renewed each year.
What is the difference between universal and income-assessed NCS?
Universal NCS provides €2.14 per hour for all children aged 24 weeks to 15 years, regardless of family income. Income-assessed NCS provides higher rates — up to €5.10 per hour — where reckonable income is under the threshold, with the maximum rates applying at the lowest incomes. In both cases the subsidy is deducted from the provider’s fee and the family pays the balance as a co-payment; only children referred by a sponsor body have no co-payment at all.
How much NCS subsidy can a family receive?
The subsidy amount depends on family income, the child's age, and whether the parents are working or studying. Universal subsidy is €2.14/hour for all families. Income-assessed can reach up to €5.10/hour. Where a parent is working or studying, up to 45 hours a week can be claimed; where neither parent is working or studying, the award is up to 20 hours a week.
How do childcare providers claim NCS payments?
Providers register the child using their CHICK on the Early Years Hive, agreeing the weekly hours and number of weeks with the family first. The parent must then confirm that registration in the Parent Portal before any payment can flow. From there the provider submits a reporting return every week — miss the deadline and subsidy payments are suspended until it is completed. Payments go directly to the provider, who must use the subsidy to reduce the parent's fee rather than retain it. NCS cannot be claimed for the same hours a child is being funded for under ECCE.
Simplify NCS Administration
Join CrecheHQ and automate your NCS subsidy calculations, CHICK number tracking, and family invoicing.
Create account