Early learning and childcare providers provide 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 for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). It is open to all registered early learning and childcare providers to opt in to contract on an annual basis to participate in this Scheme.
As per the 2021 Programme Call, the number of early learning and childcare providers that are currently contracted and available to offer the NCS is 3,019. While 3,921 early learning and childcare providers are currently contracted under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It should be noted that a total of 1,352 services have signed an ECCE funding agreement only. Most services not in contract to deliver the NCS are sessional only services that only deliver the ECCE programme.
I do appreciate the difficulties caused when a parent’s preferred early learning and childcare provider does not engage with the NCS. However, the NCS has been designed to be flexible so that parents can access their NCS award through any of the 3,019 early learning and childcare providers in the country, that are registered to provide the NCS. The CHICK number, which unlocks the subsidy award, can be used in any registered early learning and childcare service in contract to deliver the NCS.
Parents seeking support in this regard should contact their local County Childcare Committee, details of which are available at myccc.ie.
Finally, in addition to a number of improvements to the NCS announced in the recent Budget, a new core funding stream is being introduced in September 2022. The intention of this funding is to support providers to cover increased operating costs linked to quality improvement measures. A condition of this funding is that providers will not increase parents’ fees for early learning and childcare from September 2021 levels. In addition, to participate in core funding, early learning and childcare providers will also be required to offer the NCS and/or the ECCE programme to all eligible children/parents, in line with their operations.
