Schooling in Ireland- pre-school- Immigration information for South Africans moving, immigrating, visiting or working in the Republic of Ireland
The costs of childcare in Ireland can vary not only city to city, town to town but sometimes childcare can vary from loads of options to little or none in more rual settings.
The facilities and supports available can vary greatly so whilst it is a good idea to review childcare whilst you're still in SA, the expenses and set-ups can't be known for certain until you actually move, unless you're one of the lucky ones who knows exactly where they are moving to before hand. Some parents have chosen that one parent stays home based on the cost or lack of facilities in some areas and some couples have thrived easily by having suitable child care at a good rate right on their door step.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. Children can start ECCE when they are 2 years and 8 months of age and continue until they transfer to primary school (provided that they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the pre-school year.)
The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before 1 September. They can continue until they transfer to primary school as long as they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months on or before 30 June of the programme year.
If they are over the age of eligibility they need to look at National School Attendance.
If they are under the age of elibility you would need to look at Childcare options below.
If your child is over the eligibility age requirement due to special needs they may be able to get an exemption from the upper age limit for the ECCE Scheme.
The scheme is offered in early years settings (pre-schools, Montessori’s, creches, playgroups) for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year.
The Irish Government pays the registered pre-school where you child will be in attendance, for the fees for that specified time only. This means you won't pay for the ECCE hours themselves. In some cases, the school is not open 5 days a week in which case it is for 3hours and 30 mins over 4 days or less.
Any time your child attends that school over the exact time provided, will be paid for by you, so outside of 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year, you will pay.
The schools will have an enrollment process and you may be asked to pay a deposit. Additional fees may include food at school, special outings, activities and/or additional art supplies, this will depend on that school and additional services that school may supply and what is included in the set fees or not.
Child Benefit
If you are legally living and working in Ireland and have a child under 18 years of age who’s in full-time education, you may be entitled to receive Child Benefit a welfare payment of €140 per child per month. Applications should be made within 12 months of a) your child moving to Ireland or b) your child being born/joining the family. This is subject to Habitual Residence conditions
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
Schooling in Ireland - The basics on how school works and the grades
Enrollment at School - How to get your child in to a school
Homeschooling - Curriculum and how to Home School
Types of Schools - The different types of schools in Ireland
Supports and transport - Special Needs supports and Transportation to school
Third-level Education (Tertiary) - 3rd Level Education for children or adults
Pre-School - How pre-school works in Ireland
ECCE and Childcare in Ireland - The Early Childhood Care and Education and Childcare/ Aftercare
The Cost of children in Ireland - Everything relating to the costs of bringing up children in Ireland
Educate Together Schools - A specific type of schooling system available across parts of Ireland
Child Benefit, HRC1 form and Operational Guidelines on Habitual Residence - Looking deeper at Habitual Residence, Child Benefit and HRC1 form
Resources for this topic- Education related - Links to child benefits, childcare, ECCE, preschool, homeschooling, National school, secondaary school and third-level education
Resources for this topic- Special Needs People related - Links to getting assistance with various special needs and disabilities, adults and children
