National Childcare Scheme
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS)
What is the National Childcare Scheme?
The National Childcare Scheme is our pathway to accessible, affordable, quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare.
The National Childcare Scheme is a landmark new Scheme for Ireland.
It is the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for childcare.
It establishes an equitable and progressive system of universal and income-related subsidies for children up to the age of 15.
It also provides an innovative and user-friendly online application process to access those subsidies.
Through all of the above, the National Childcare Scheme aims to improve children’s outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay, reduce child poverty and tangibly reduce the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families across Ireland.
Without the National Childcare Scheme, we simply cannot move forward with delivering the quality, accessible, affordable childcare that Ireland needs and deserves. The Scheme provides a flexible, future-focused and sustainable platform to invest in quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It is our commitment to children. It is our investment in families.
Supports are available for families with children who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder.
For further information relating to the National Childcare Scheme please visit https://ncs.gov.ie/home
