For children in Ireland, it is mandatory that they attend school from the ages of 6 up until they are 16 years old, or until they have completed three years of post-primary education. For those children too young to attend school, you may have to find a childcare arrangement. There are a number of different options available to you.
The Irish education system
It is compulsory for children who are six years old to be enrolled in school, with many of them starting when they are 4 or 5 years old. Many children under the age of five attend Montessori nurseries or daycare. This is particularly the case if the sole parent or both parents are working full-time.
Primary school will generally last from 9 am until 1:30 pm when the children are between 6 and 9 years old. Most primary schools will thereafter finish at 2:30 pm.
After completing eight years of primary school, children will then proceed to the secondary school system for a further six years.
Types of childcare services in Ireland
Group day care is suitable for your child if you want them to have a schedule and to engage in some activities. There will be a number of adults looking after a group of children. You can choose smaller groups if you prefer, and some of these services will even have drop-off and pick-up services.
If you only need care on certain days, then there are drop-in groups that are normally for play and allow you to get a few hours to yourself on certain days. These are popular in shopping centres.
You can go for individual care on a one-to-one basis. This could be a childminder, nanny, or au pair. Nannies will usually come to your home, whereas au pairs usually live in your house. Individual care options are generally more expensive, but if you have a couple of children who need looking after, then it can be cost-effective.
Preschool is optional in Ireland. Under the ECCE scheme, children are entitled to two years of free pre-schooling prior to starting primary school. The program is available to all children who have turned two years and eight months of age by the start of the program year in September and will not be more than five years and six months by the end of the 2nd program year.
The scheme provides three hours per day, five days per week, over 38 weeks. If your child attends the care service for longer than this, then you will be charged for that extra time.
Preschool in Ireland takes the form of privately run crèches, play-schools, and Montessori schools. The ECCE program offers both indoor and outdoor learning experiences, as well as opportunities for solo play and group play.
Indoor learning experiences often include:
- painting, drawing and writing;
- playdough play and sensory activities;
- puzzles and games;
- construction – for example, with blocks or Lego;
- books;
- home corners with play kitchens and dressing up.
Outdoor learning experiences often include:
- play in the natural environment;
- constructing with others;
- sand and water play;
- pretend play;
- climbing, running and jumping.
Group learning experiences often include:
- stories;
- songs;
- circle time;
- music and movement.
Extra-curricular activities in Ireland
Some childcare centres will have different types of activities on offer. Some will also have specialisations. For example, certain daycares will be Irish language facilities where only the native tongue is spoken. Some day-care groups will learn basics such as the alphabet and songs, whereas others will bake, draw and paint.
Preschool enrollment procedures in Ireland
It is a good idea to conduct sufficient research to determine which groups would be best for your needs. The demand for certain facilities can be high, so you will need to book well in advance.
For most preschools and early childcare in Ireland, you will need to provide a copy of your child's passport or birth certificate and PPS number (A Personal Public Service Number helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland). If your child needs additional support, perhaps some form of special needs, you will need to make an application through the Pobal website's Programs Implementation Platform (PIP). The application process is open throughout the year.
Fees
In terms of costs for the different types of day-care and childminding, you can find a detailed breakdown here.
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