Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) operate a number of Childcare Schemes. These schemes provide free or reduced rate childcare to eligible children and their parents.
ECCE
The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) is a free, universal two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY). It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school.
NCS
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs.
