ECCE & NCS: The two childcare funding schemes
Most Irish families are entitled to help with childcare costs through one or both of these State schemes. They work differently, and can often be combined.
ECCE: The free pre-school year
- Free pre-school: 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks a year.
- Available from age 2 years 8 months until starting primary school, up to two programme years.
- Paid directly to the provider. Your bill is reduced, nothing to claim back.
- Only services contracted into the scheme can offer it; look for the ECCE flag on listings.
NCS: The National Childcare Scheme
- An income-assessed subsidy towards childcare costs for children up to 15.
- A universal rate (€2.14/hr) applies regardless of income for all children up to 15; families under the €68,000 income threshold can qualify for a higher income-assessed rate.
- You apply on ncs.gov.ie, receive a code, and give it to your provider.
- Only for registered, contracted providers. Listings flagged with NCS accept it.
How they work together
ECCE covers the pre-school session itself (up to 3 hours). If your child is in childcare for longer; a full day-care place, for example, the NCS subsidy can apply to the hours beyond the ECCE session. Your provider splits the fees across the schemes on your invoice.
What this directory shows
Listings flagged ECCE or NCS are contracted providers in our register data. Status is refreshed from official sources, so a service can change schemes between checks. Rates and entitlements are set by the Department of Children; always confirm details on gov.ie or with your provider.