The ECCE Scheme is a new scheme designed to give children access to free pre school services before attending primary school
It is important to understand that the free element is limited and relates only to a certain number of hours per day
The ECCE Scheme provides parents of eligible children with either one of two options
Option A - A fully subsidized sessional care option
Option B - A partly subsidized full day care option
What is the ‘Free Pre School Year’?
This is a wholly subsidized sessional care option (Option A)
The free pre school year is a 3 hour, 5 day per week option offered over 38 weeks within the 44 weeks of the academic year from September to June of each year
The fully subsidized Option A provides children with classroom activities only
Class times will take place throughout the day. The class time your child receives will depend on your date of registration and availability within the centre
Parent’s preferences will be taken into consideration and Cocoon will endeavour to accommodate these requests
Additional services and hours are also provided by Cocoon and parents can avail of these options at an additional expense if they so wish
What additional services are available to parents choosing Option A?
Outside the provision of classroom activities, Cocoon are happy to provide additional services to parents that include;
Multiple additional hours of daily care
Daily Dinner & Snacks
Arts & Crafts supplies
School trips / outings
School holiday care
Summer holiday care
Please note parents choosing Option B will receive these services as part of normal care
What is the subsidy for parents choosing full day care Option B?
This is a subsidy of €48.50 per week which partly covers full day care fees (Option B)
If a parent chooses either a 3 or 5 full day option per week on a full time basis, they will receive €48.50 per week toward their childcare fees
The subsidy is available for 50 weeks within a 52 week period
The subsidy guarantees at least 2 ¼ hours of classroom activities for children choosing the 5 day option or at least 3 ¾ hours of classroom activities within the 3 full day option
The total subsidy under this option is calculated as follows - €48.50 x 50 weeks = €2,425.00
Cocoon fees are calculated on a monthly basis and the monthly subsidy is calculated by diving the annual subsidy by twelve as follows - €2,425.00 / 12 = €202.08 per month
This €202.08 will be deducted off any fees for 3 or 5 full day options
Who is eligible for the ECCE Scheme?
Any child who is older than 3 years 2 months (38 months) and younger than 4 years 6 months (54 months) on the 1st September is eligible for the Scheme
Children born on or between 2nd February 2005 and 30th June 2006 are eligible for the Scheme from 1st January 2010
What do I need to do as a parent to avail of the ECCE Scheme?
Parents will need to register their child with Cocoon as soon as possible and before the 31st December to avail of the Scheme from its commencement date in January 2010
Parents are reminded that places in the Scheme are limited and subject to availability
Parents will need to complete a Registration Form, completing all areas and must provide their child’s PPS number
Parents must also receive confirmation of a place in writing from Cocoon
Confirmation will include all relevant information relating to the service including all Terms & Conditions
All Registration Forms are available through our Centres, Head Office on 01 419 99 99 or online, through our website www.cocoon.ie
When is the Scheme available from?
The Scheme is available from January 2010 for the first year of the Scheme only
All other years the Scheme will commence from 1st September each year
How does the Scheme operate each year?
The first year of the Scheme is unique as it only commences in January 2010
All subsequent years run from September of each year for 12 months
All children eligible qualify on an annual basis for the Scheme
If your child is between 38 months and 54 months on the 1st September of any year, they will qualify for the Scheme for that year
The Sessional option (Option A) will run until the end of June only and recommence in September
Who gets the subsidy?
The subsidy is paid directly to the childcare operator and not the parent.
What are the Terms & Conditions for the Scheme?
Direct debit or credit card details are required for all ECCE participants in case supplementary services are availed of throughout the year
The Scheme is available on a first come first served basis
Cocoon reserve the right to cancel the Scheme at any time and provide one month’s notice of closure
Cocoon reserve the right the refuse any application
Cocoon reserve the right to change the hours or days that the Scheme is being offered to any participants
No existing customer discounts are applicable to fees under the Scheme
Any discounts on fees are only on the non ECCE element of the fee
General Terms & Conditions stipulated by the OMCYA
Children must be registered onto the Scheme before its commencement in January 2010
After commencement of the Scheme a child cannot transfer from Option A to Option B or vice versa
Once you register with an approved provider, you must remain with that provider to avail of the subsidy
