The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme is targeted to help children from low-income households access quality early education and childcare services. Research shows that disadvantaged children benefit most from access to quality early education and childcare. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) pays for a portion of the childcare costs for eligible children, with the parent paying the remainder. Approximately 20,000 households benefit from the CCS programme annually. The CCS is only available through participating community not-for-profit childcare services. The service provider submits an application for CCS on behalf of the parent to the DCYA. The DCYA makes checks and confirms whether or not the child can benefit from a subvention that will reduce the cost of the early education and childcare service. Parents who believe they might qualify should contact their local participating childcare service. Details of services participating in CCS are marked on Pobal Maps. Further information and advice on the process of getting support through the CCS Programme is available locally from your City or County Childcare Committee (CCC).
Pobal's Role
Pobal pays the participating services for their CCS approved children. Pobal conducts checks and site visits on behalf of the DCYA to ensure that eligible parents receive the correct cost reduction in their childcare fees. Pobal also provides support & guidance to the services to promote their sustainability.
Services that are contracted into CCS make regular returns to Pobal. The Pobal On-Line CCS Returns are a business planning and sustainability tool for services. Pobal uses the returns to identify services at risk. Pobal through its case management co-ordinates supports and interventions into services by Pobal, DCYA and / or the local City / County Childcare Committee as appropriate.