Published: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 5:00pm

Clock ticking to secure your child's free school place

Margaret McCabe of Happy Days, Virginia (right) with her daughter, Aine.
Pic by==: 97

There are still a substantial number of places available throughout Co. Cavan for the free pre-school year, according to the Cavan County Childcare Committee. In total, there are about 1,000 places approved for the county under the scheme. While the Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, this week extended the deadline for parents to take up the places to January 29, parents are being urged now to move quickly to secure their child's place in their preferred childcare facility.

Some commentators have blamed a lack of information for the slow takeup of the new scheme; despite the fact that the government sent leaflets to homes of children who qualify for the places under the age criteria.

The message from the government and the childcare committees this week is clear: The free playschool year is now available for all children born between February 2, 2005 and June 30, 2006 (roughly aged three and a half to five years). It entitles the child to three full-hours in playschool Monday to Friday in school term. It is free and does not affect parents' benefits (social welfare or otherwise) or tax credits. All children in the relevant age bracket are entitled to a free place regardless of their parents' income. If your child is in full-time care already and falls within the age range, the value of the government subsidy is subtracted from your bill.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt this week, Noreen McGovern, the support and development worker with the Cavan County Childcare Committee, said that they have been receiving a large volume of calls from service providers concerned about the slow take-up of the free places in the county. She's welcoming the extension to the deadline to secure places. "It was needed. The weather was such a distraction for the last month," she said.

Ms. McGovern said that the committee had noticed a surge in calls in recent days from parents enquiring about the scheme. She says the free pre-school year is a good initiative because it allows parents to focus on the quality of service rather that the cost factor.

She also warned against parents holding out until September for their free pre-school place pointing out that their child may fall outside the qualifying age bracket if they leave it too long.

Ms. McGovern conceded that some parents were slow to apply for the places, believing it would affect their benefits or perhaps that it wasn't entirely free. "There's always the notion that you don't get anything for free in this world, as well as some people who haven't traditionally used these facilities not being in the loop."

Helen Nulty, the proprietor of Playdays at New Inn, Ballyjamesduff, is encouraging parents to get in touch with their nearest service provider if they have a child who's due to start school this September. She has six more places available.

"It's to everyone's advantage to fill up these places. It will benefit the child and it will benefit us. If the parent doesn't come to us, then everybody misses out," she explained.

Ms. Nulty says that parents shouldn't be shy about coming forward if they haven't used pre-school facilities before; the places are free and their child is entitled to one.

She's also emphasising the social and educational benefits for children starting school this September in terms of getting used to a routine, mixing with children their own age, perhaps meeting children who will be starting school with them later in the year and also giving mum or dad a break.

Margaret McCabe of Happy Days in Virginia agrees. She can accept up to ten more children for the new free pre-school year.

Meanwhile, the Cavan County Childcare committee is urging parents who are still unsure about the scheme to get in contact with them for a list of approved service providers. Alternatively you can contact your nearest creche or playschool directly. They have the forms to secure your child's place. All you need is your child's name, date of birth and PPS number to secure your place.

The deadline for the receipt of all forms from childcare providers to the government is January 29.

Minister Andrews has said that services will receive their first payment next week provided correct bank details have been supplied. "No delay in payment is expected and as such there is no justification for services charging parents for what will be a free service."

The Minister concluded: "The ECCE scheme is an historic step in the journey to develop a government supported preschool system.

"The provision of a free preschool year to all children, regardless of income or circumstance, will enhance the social and educational development of our children. It will give each child in the country an equal chance to arrive in Junior Infants with improved personal development, speech and language skills and capacity for socialisation."

Return to: Homepage | News Index | This article