The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 with the objective of providing one free pre-school year for all eligible children prior to commencing primary school. Child care services participating in the ECCE programme are paid a standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week for each eligible child enrolled for the free pre-school year. Under the terms of the ECCE programme, the pre-school leaders delivering the programme must hold a certification for a major award in childcare/early education at a minimum of level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or an equivalent nationally-recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field. In keeping with the Government's commitment to increasing standards in the pre-school sector, a higher capitation payment of €73 per week is available to childcare services in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the programme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate, the pre-school leader must hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at a minimum of a full Level 7 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and meet other conditions as set out by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Determination of the relevance of a discipline is established by the examination of the content of the programme of learning which led to the qualification. This must contain the following elements - Child development birth to six years, Early Childhood Learning Theory and Practice, Child Health and Welfare 0-6 years. The programme must also have contained a significant supervised practicum in relevant early childhood care and education settings. A degree in Psychology does not satisfy the criteria and the only relevant discipline which fully complies with required content is Early Childhood Care and Education. My Department has accepted the recommendations of the advisory group and the outcome has been transmitted to the City and County Childcare Committees and the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations and also brought to the attention of the Further and Higher Education sectors. This information has clarified the position for childcare providers considering applying for the higher capitation payment.
