Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1340. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a child born on 1 January 2016 will be eligible to enrol in the ECCE programme commencing in September 2018 in view of the fact that a child born on this date will meet the ECCE minimum age criteria of two years and eight months of age. [15768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the development introduced last year and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years). This delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
This minimum age was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years care and education in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. The upper age limit will remain the same (i.e. a child is not eligible if they will be 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year).
In order for a child to be eligible to be enrolled for free pre-school on 1st September 2018 they must have been born between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2015, they must have reached 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2018. Please see the following link for further details on eligibility start dates.
In the example cited by the Deputy, the child will not be able to commence their ECCE in September 2018 as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2018. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in September 2019, and continue for a further year from September 2020, commencing school in September 2021.
Some parents of children born around this time of the year may prefer for their children to start school at 4 rather than 5. These parents may therefore opt for 1 year of ECCE only. In such circumstances, they should note that the new universal subsidy for 0-3 years of age, of €1040 per year, is available to parents of children in registered childcare until the child is eligible for ECCE. Please see affordablechildcare.ie for more information.
