Free preschool places still available

CHILDCARE providers are making a last minute appeal to parents whose children are due to start school in September to apply for their free preschool place as the new scheme is due to kick off next week.

It’s believed that more than 90% of playschools and creches have signed up to the scheme, which was announced in Budget 2009. However, according to the NCNA, there are still many places still unfilled.

To avail of the scheme starting next week, children must have been born between February 2, 2005, and June 30, 2006. To avail of the year in September, children must have been born between February 2, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

The office for the Minister of Children says research shows children benefit best by attending a pre-school service five days a week and their main pre-school model is a child attending Monday to Friday, three-hours-a-day over 38 weeks.

If parents are working and children are at a creche full-time or part-time, parents can avail of a second model whereby the OMC pay for preschool education for two hours and 15 minutes five days a week over 50 weeks.

Pre-school services can also apply to offer the service three days a week for three hours and 45 minutes each day over 38 weeks.

Sessional playschool services which are unable to open five days a week, can apply to provide the pre-school year in the form of three hours 30 minutes a day, four days a week over 41 weeks.

National Creche and Nurseries Association (NCNA) director of services Theresa Heeney said the key challenge was still trying to make parents aware that they could now access free playschool.

“The places are there and so just contact your local city or county childcare committee or else your local preschool to find out details,” said Ms Heeney.