Schemes

Childcare Schemes

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) operates a number of childcare schemes. These schemes provide free or reduced rate childcare to eligible children. These schemes are administered locally by the City and County Childcare Committees. In Limerick, Limerick Childcare Committee is responsible for the local delivery of the schemes.

The schemes are:

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides two years of free pre-school for children. Each pre-school year runs from September to June. From September 2018, to be eligible to enter the scheme, the child must be aged at least 2 years 8 months on the 1st September, in that pre-school year.

Participation in the ECCE Scheme is available in both community/not-for-profit and private childcare services.

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme & the Community Childcare Subvention Private (CCSP) Scheme

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme and the Community Childcare Subvention Private (CCSP) Scheme provide access to reduced rate childcare for parents in receipt of social welfare/low incomes.

Participation in the CCS Scheme is restricted to community/not-for-profit childcare services, whilst the CCSP Scheme is only available in private services.

Search for Childcare

Use this facility to search for a Childcare Service or Childminder in your area. You can also check which types of childcare are provided and if a service offers one or more of the government childcare schemes.

Click here to search ›

ECCE Calculator

Use the ECCE Calculator to check if your child qualifies for the Free-School Year. All you need to do is enter your child’s date of birth and the calculator will tell you when your child will be eligible.

Click here for calculator ›