National Childcare Funding Programmes

Together for Better

Together for Better is the new funding model for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare.

Together for Better brings together three major elements, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding. It implements a series of recommendations in the Expert Group report Partnership for the Public Good.

9 out of 10 Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare providers – over 4,100 services – have become Partner Services under Core Funding, committing to working in partnership with the State for the public good, and to a freeze on parental fees.

Please click on the link below, for more information on the Together for Better Funding Model:

https://first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/together-for-better/

National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

For more information on this scheme and how to apply, please go to: https://ncs.gov.ie/en/
The Parent Support Centre for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. The contact number is: (01) 906 8530
NCS Sponsors: Dedicated Phone Line/Email Address. The NCS Sponsors Team can be contacted Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm by phone at 01 906 8535 or by email at sponsors@ncs.gov.ie.
Please note that the NCS Sponsors Team can only support on Sponsor-related queries. 
The Early Years Provider Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am - 6.00pm.
The contact number is: (01) 5117222 or email: EYPC@pobal.ie  

Please click on the link below for You Tube videos on the NCS Applicant Portal:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV8N_sFKV6LV7GP4ID2jZjxHk6yWUiioh

Free Pre-school (ECCE) Scheme Calculator

Please click on the link below (Click Media) for eligibility dates for the Free Pre-school (ECCE) scheme:

https://www.childcare.ie/ecce-calculator

Core Funding  

Core Funding is a funding stream for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services introduced in Budget 2022 and informed by the work of the Expert Group to develop a new funding model for ELC and SAC, outlined in Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.

Core Funding is a payment to providers designed to meet the combined objectives of:

  • Improved quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce;
  • Supporting the establishment of an Employment Regulation Order through the Joint Labour Committee;
  • Supporting the employment of graduate staff;
  • Improved affordability for parents by ensuring that fees do not increase; and
  • Improved sustainability and stability for services. 

Please click on link below for more information on Core Funding:

https://first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding/

Employment Regulation Orders for Early Learning and Childcare Sector

With effect from 15 September, 2022 two new Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) were commenced which provide for minimum hourly rates of pay and other conditions of employment for various roles in the Early Years Services Sector.

For more information please click on the link below:

https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/what_you_should_know/hours-and-wages/employment%20regulation%20orders/early-learning-and-childcare-sector/early-learning-and-childcare-sector.html

December 2021 - Launch of Major Reform for Funding and the Workforce Development Plan 2022 - 2028

Two Reports launched by Minister O'Gorman:

  • Partnership for the Public Good (A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care & School Age Care) 
  • Nurturing Skills (Workforce Development Plan for Early Learning and Care & School Age Care 2022 - 2028).

Press Releases:

Please click here to view the press release for the report Partnership for the Public Good.

Please click here to view the press release for the report Nurturing Skills.

The Reports:

Please click here to view the report Partnership for the Public Good.

Please click here to download the report Nurturing Skills (At the end of page on link).

The Webinar:

Please click here to view the Webinar launching the reports.