Good news for parents with school-aged children!

Minister O'Gorman has today announced changes to the National Childcare Scheme that will extend access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children and families - benefitting up to 5,000 children and their families in the initial phase.

Currently, the hours spent in pre-school or school are deducted from a family’s entitlement to subsidised hours. Therefore, in cases where the parents are not engaged in work or study, access to subsidised early learning and childcare for children of pre-school and school age is generally only available during pre-school and school holiday periods.

From 2 May, hours spent in pre-school or school will no longer be deducted from a family’s entitlement to subsidised hours. This means all eligible children will have access to subsidised early learning and childcare all year round through the National Childcare Scheme in addition to the pre-school funded under the ECCE Programme and to school.

You can read the full press release here.

For more information on the National Childcare Scheme and to register your child click here.