The ECCE scheme explained, Ireland's free preschool year

The ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) scheme is the Republic of Ireland's free preschool programme; Northern Ireland has different early-years arrangements. It gives eligible children 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, over the 38-week school year, completely free to parents, for up to two years before they start primary school. You claim it by enrolling your child with a participating creche or preschool.

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What ECCE is

ECCE, Early Childhood Care and Education: is the government-funded free preschool programme. If your child is enrolled with a participating creche or preschool, the State pays for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 38 weeks (about September to June, following the school year). Those hours are free to you: providers are paid a capitation rate per child and cannot charge you for the ECCE hours themselves.

Who qualifies, the age rules

Eligibility is based on your child's age at the start of the programme year:

  • Your child must have turned 2 years and 8 months old by 31 August of the programme year.
  • They must be no older than 5 years and 6 months on 30 June of that year.
  • Children who meet the rules are entitled to two full academic years of free preschool before starting primary school.

There is a single entry point each September. If your child turns 2 years 8 months after that start date, they normally wait until the following September to begin ECCE, so it is worth checking the exact eligibility dates for your child's birthday when planning.

ECCE eligibility by year of birth

The official table below was checked on 15 September 2026. A start date shown here means the child meets the age window; it does not guarantee a place with a provider.

Born between Possible ECCE starts Programme ends
1 January–31 December 2022 September 2025 or September 2026 June 2027
1 January–31 December 2023 September 2026 or September 2027 June 2028
1 January–31 December 2024 September 2027 or September 2028 June 2029

Check the current table on gov.ie before enrolling, particularly around the age boundaries.

What ECCE covers (and what it doesn't)

  • Covered: 3 hours of preschool per day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks a year, free.
  • Not covered: any hours beyond the free 3 a day, meals, or optional extras. If you need a longer day, you pay the provider for the additional time.
  • Follows the school year: ECCE runs during term time, not through the summer or the main school holidays.

How to claim your place

  1. Find a participating preschool. Most creches and preschools offer ECCE. Browse creches and preschools near you and ask whether they have ECCE places for the year you need.
  2. Enrol early. Places are limited and fill up months ahead of September, so contact providers well in advance.
  3. Register your child. The provider signs your child up to the scheme using their PPS number and date of birth: you do not apply to a government office yourself.

Combining ECCE with other supports

ECCE covers the 3 free hours; for a longer day, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) can subsidise the extra wraparound hours. And when your child moves on to primary school, our guide on when to apply for primary school and the starting school checklist will help you plan the transition.

For the official rules, eligibility dates and current capitation rates, see gov.ie: ECCE preschool programme.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ECCE scheme?

ECCE stands for Early Childhood Care and Education. It is a government-funded programme that provides free preschool for children in the year or two before they start primary school. Participating creches and preschools deliver 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, over the 38-week academic year, and the State pays the provider directly so there is no preschool fee for those hours.

What age does a child have to be for ECCE?

A child must have turned 2 years and 8 months old by 31 August of the programme year, and must not be older than 5 years and 6 months on 30 June of that year. Children who meet the age rules are entitled to two full academic years on the scheme before starting primary school.

How many hours of free preschool does ECCE give?

ECCE provides 3 hours per day, 5 days per week (15 hours a week), for 38 weeks of the year, running roughly September to June in line with the school calendar. If you need more than 3 hours a day, you pay the provider for the extra time, and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) can help subsidise those additional hours.

Is ECCE completely free?

The 3 hours a day of preschool are free, the State pays the provider a capitation rate for each enrolled child, so you are not charged for those hours. Providers cannot charge a top-up fee for the ECCE hours themselves, though they may charge for optional extras or for any additional wraparound hours beyond the free 3 hours.

How do I apply for ECCE?

There is no central application, you enrol your child directly with a participating creche or preschool. The provider registers your child on the ECCE scheme using their PPS number and date of birth. Because places fill up, contact preschools well before the September you want your child to start.

Can I use ECCE and the National Childcare Scheme together?

Yes. ECCE covers the 3 free preschool hours, and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) can subsidise childcare hours outside of ECCE, for example wraparound care for working parents. Many families combine both to cover a full day.

More parent guides

Useful links

Last reviewed 5 July 2026. This guide is general information to help you plan, it is not official advice. Scheme rules, dates and amounts can change, so always confirm the current details with the relevant scheme or with your child's school before you rely on them.