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).
Parents Notice – School Age Childcare
Childcare services for school-age children must now register with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. School-age childcare services have not previously been subject to registration or regulation, so this is a significant step forward in ensuring quality school-age childcare.
School-age services must register their service if their primary purpose is to care for children where their parents are unavailable.
All services that currently provide childcare for school-age children must have applied for registration and are urged to start this process straightaway if they have not yet done so. New services must apply for registration at least 3 months before opening.
School-Age Childcare services that are registered with Tusla will be eligible to apply to participate in the forthcoming National Childcare Scheme.
What is the National Childcare Scheme?
The National Childcare Scheme is a pathway to truly accessible, affordable, quality childcare. From October 2019 it will replace all previous targeted childcare programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly Scheme to help parents meet the cost of quality childcare.
Supports are available for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla-registered childcare service, including any Tusla-registered childminder.
For further information relating to the National Childcare Scheme please visit https://ncs.gov.ie/parent
Early Learning and School Age Capital funding 2019
On Monday 10th June 2019, The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone TD, announced a total of €6.25m in Capital funding to be awarded to providers of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare.
The funding will contribute towards the creation of new places for 0-3 year olds, new school age childcare places, and essential fire safety improvements for community-owned services.
The 2019 capital funding has been awarded following the completion of a very competitive application and appraisal process.
A list of the successful applications is included below.
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS:
EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE CAPITAL 2019 – STRAND A
EARLY YEARS CHILDCARE CAPITAL 2019 – STRAND B
SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE CAPITAL 2019 – STRAND C
If you have any queries in relation to the funding announcement, please contact Pobal customer services team on onlinesupport@pobal.ie or telephone 01 5117222
Funded by
Case Studies
Crossabeg Community Childcare Centre received funding through School Age Capital 2017 to improve the school aged childcare service they were providing. The service is a community-based childcare setting in close proximity to the local primary school.
View Case Study
