Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital Programmes

Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital Programmes

The purpose of the Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital Programmes is to support early years’ and school aged childcare service providers in the community and private sector.

The underpinning principle of the capital funding programmes is to increase the number of childcare places in areas of greatest need alongside improving the quality of facilities provided in the community.

Capital funding is provided to ensure that early years and school age service facilities meet all regulatory requirements, provide places for all age groups, maintain and improve their buildings and outdoor areas to a standard that meets the needs of families in their community.

Pobal administers the Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital Programmes on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).

The application window for the 2019 Early Learning and Care and School Age Capital Programmes opened on Monday 25th February 2019.

Applications for funding can be made through the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP).

The window will remain open up to Wednesday 27th March 2019 at 3pm.

Decisions are expected to be delivered in June 2019.

The available strands of funding are as follows:

• Strand A:  Creation of new places for 0-3 year olds – €4.231m (max. €50,000 per grant).
• Strand B:  Fire Safety for community early years services – €0.875m, (max.€15,000 per grant).
• Strand C:  Creation of new school age places – €1m (max. €20,000 per grant).

Both early learning and care and school age childcare providers are invited to apply.

Any interested parties are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) with any questions they may have about the process in the first instance.