Early learning and childcare providers offer a crucial service, however it must be noted that they are private entities. As such, it is a matter for each provider to decide whether they enter into any contractual arrangement with my Department – including Core Funding. It is important to note that 94% of services, over 4,300 services, have signed up to Core Funding and applications remain open.
However, an early learning and childcare service does not need to opt in to Core Funding in order to offer the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Services contract separately on an annual basis to participate in the NCS. At present, over 3,695 early learning and childcare providers are contracted to offer the Scheme – an 8.3% increase on the previous year.
I do appreciate the difficulties caused when a parent’s preferred early learning and childcare provider does not engage with Core Funding. However, parents can still use their awarded subsidy to reduce the cost of childcare through any NCS registered provider. Similarly once a childcare service is taking part in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), parents can avail of the free universal two-year preschool programme regardless of whether the service has opted in to Core Funding.
A list of NCS participating services may be found on www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/.
