Childcare

 

Useful Information

 

Subsidies

 

From 21 August 2017, a new universal childcare subsidy is available to all children in Tusla registered childcare who are above the age of 6 months but below the age when they can start the free ECCE scheme. The subsidy is not means-tested.

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We participate in all affordable Childcare Schemes and any subsidy is deducted from the overall bill. The following schemes may apply:

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• Community Childcare Subvention: Under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme disadvantaged parents and parents in training, education or low paid employment can avail of childcare at reduced rates.

• Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS): If you are a parent attending secondary school or you have applied for a vocational training course provided by an Education and Training Board and you need childcare, you may qualify for a childcare at reduced rates under the CETS programme. CETS can provide full-time, part-time or after-school childcare places.

• Community Employment Childcare (CEC): The Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme provides childcare places at reduced rates for Community Employment (CE) applicants who need childcare so that they can take up a place on a CE scheme.

• Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free childcare and early education to children of pre-school age. Universal childcare subsidy.

• Afterschool Child Care Scheme: The After-School Child Care Scheme (ASCC) supports low-income unemployed people to return to work. The Scheme provides subsidised after-school childcare places to people with children of primary school age who find employment, increase the number of days they work or take up a place on an employment support scheme.​

 

Staff Ratios And Available Places

 

Le Chéile FRC at present can cater for 84 children at any one time.

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Our Staff Ratios are:

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• Sessional Services

  • 1-2.5 years old / 1:5​

  • 2.5-6 years old /1:10 or 11

• Full/Part Time Care

  • 1-2 years old  / 1:5​

  • 2-3 years old / 1:6

  • 3-6 years old / 1:8

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Admissions / Enrollments

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A minimum of 2 days / sessions are required for enrollment.

The admission of new children is generally made on a first come, first served basis.  However, priority may be given in the following circumstances to children who:

• have siblings already within the service

• live locally

• attending for full day care (5 days a week)

• attending on a sessional basis for 5 days a week

• participating in the ECCE programme that year

• already participate in the service

 

Every effort is made to admit children with Additional Needs, providing that the individual child’s needs can be met within the service we provide.  If we cannot provide for your child’s needs, we will do our best to advise you on other services that may be able to assist you.

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At all times the best interest of the children in our Centre is central to the work of Le Chéile FRC.  You will receive a copy of our Admissions / Enrolment policy when your child has been offered a place. 

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To put your child's name down please visit our Bookings page and select 'Childcare'.

 

Ethos

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Le Chéile FRC is committed to developing a curriculum that creates a child centred, play-based environment, which empowers children to actively pursue their own learning.  We believe in the rights of the child to express him/herself freely and spontaneously.  We acknowledge parents/carers as primary educators of their children and encourage them to take an active part in their child’s learning.

Aims

Le Chéile FRC aims to support the development of each child by providing a Curriculum that is play-based and will follow the child’s interests to support their learning and development.

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Curriculum

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Le Cheile FRC is committed to developing a curriculum that creates a child-centred, play based environment, which empowers children to actively pursue their own learning.

 

Indoor and Outdoor play is equally important, whenever possible; connecting children to nature is done through actively engaging children in the outdoors.  

 

This process is facilitated by qualified early year’s practitioners who provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Through observations we build on the child’s interests: these observations form the basis for an emergent curriculum. A balance of child and adult initiated activities are provided and are evaluated regularly. Our daily plan is consistent yet flexible to meet the individual needs of the children.

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Child Protection

It is the policy of Le Cheile Family Resource Centre Childcare Service to safeguard children by protecting them from harm.  To ensure this protection it is our aim that at all times best practice is observed by all staff.  A detailed Child Protection Policy of the centre is available from our policy page.