The report, by an Inter-Departmental Group, outlines how best to invest in childcare services over the coming years, focusing on ways to enhance affordability for parents, improve services and outcomes for children, as well as promote greater accessibility in the sector.
‘Future Investment in Early Years and School Age Care and Education Services’ proposes extending the ECCE scheme, also known as the free pre-school year, up to the point at which primary school starts.
Under the current ECCE scheme, all three-year-olds receive three hours of childcare per day over 38 weeks.
The extension of the scheme would see children receive the free hours up to the age of five and a half years. In Ireland, children do not have to start formal schooling until they are six.
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