Crèche in the UK
A crèche is a Tusla-registered pre-school service where children who are not yet at school are cared for in a group, on full days, part-time or for shorter sessions.
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About crèche services
Tusla's own definition puts crèche, playschool and naíonra under the same heading, and every one of them has to be registered with Tusla's Early Years Inspectorate, which inspects them and publishes the reports.
Most crèches offer full-day places of more than 25 hours a week, and many also offer part-time places of around 18 to 25 hours or shorter morning sessions. Babies, toddlers and pre-school children are usually cared for in groups by age, each with its own routine for play, meals and sleep, and the crèche agrees the hours, the days and the fee with you in a written contract before your child starts.
Many crèches run the free ECCE preschool hours inside the day for children who are old enough, and a crèche that is registered with Tusla and contracted with the Department can take National Childcare Scheme subsidies off your bill. On Locufy you can see crèches near you with the care they offer and the ages they take, and check each one against the Tusla register before you visit.
What affects the price: Crèche fees are set per week and depend on how many hours your child attends, their age and the area. A full-day place costs more than a part-time one, baby places can cost more than places for older children, and National Childcare Scheme subsidies come off the fee before you pay it.
What you get on Locufy
- Free, no-obligation quotes from local crèche providers
- Local professionals matched by real distance
- Flexible scheduling — including evenings and weekends where offered
- Transparent pricing and clear communication before you commit
What to provide
- Your child's date of birth and, for subsidies, their PPS number.
- Medical information, allergies and the contact details of your GP.
- Emergency contacts and the names of everyone allowed to collect your child.
- Spare clothes, nappies and anything your child needs to sleep, if the crèche asks for them.
Common crèche jobs
Some of the crèche jobs local pros on Locufy take on.
Full-day place
Care for a working day, five days a week or on the days you choose, with meals and naps included in the routine.
Part-time place
Mornings or shorter days, usually between about 18 and 25 hours a week, priced below a full-day place.
Baby room
Care for babies from a few months old, with feeding and sleep kept to the routine you give the crèche.
Toddler room
Play, outdoor time and early social skills for children who are walking and talking.
ECCE preschool hours
The free preschool programme, three hours a day in term, run inside the crèche day for children who qualify.
Settling-in visits
Short visits with you before the first full day, so your child gets to know the room and the staff.
What's involved in crèche
- 1A visit to the crèche to see the rooms, meet the staff and ask your questions.
- 2Checking the crèche on the Tusla register and reading its latest inspection report.
- 3Agreeing the days, hours, start date and fee, and signing the crèche's contract.
- 4Registering your child for ECCE or the National Childcare Scheme where they qualify.
- 5Settling-in visits before the first full day.
Good to know
- Check the crèche on the Tusla register and read its most recent inspection report.
- Ask whether the crèche is a Partner Service in Core Funding and whether it takes NCS subsidies.
- Ask about the ratio of staff to children in your child's room and how long staff have been there.
- Find out what the fee includes, such as meals, nappies and outings, and what is charged as an extra.
- Ask about closing days, holidays and what happens if you are late to collect.
What crèche includes
Care in groups by age
Babies, toddlers and pre-school children are usually cared for in their own groups, each with a routine and staff to suit the age.
Meals and snacks
Many crèches serve breakfast, a hot lunch and snacks as part of the fee; ask what is included and how allergies are handled.
Sleep and rest
Babies keep to their own sleep routine and younger children have a quiet time after lunch.
Play and learning
Indoor and outdoor play, stories, music and early learning planned around the children in each room.
Daily feedback
What your child ate, how they slept and how the day went, at collection or through the crèche's app or diary.
How to book crèche on Locufy
Enter your Postcode
Tell us where you need crèche — your Postcode pinpoints providers who genuinely cover your area.
Compare local pros
See available crèche providers near you with ratings, reviews and clear pricing — no endless phone calls.
Book with confidence
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Why book crèche on Locufy
Verified local pros
Providers can earn verification badges so you can book with confidence.
Truly local results
Matched by real distance using your Postcode — not a rough area guess.
Real reviews
Genuine ratings from customers who actually used the service.
Crèche — frequently asked questions
How much does a crèche cost?
Typically €150–€259 a week for a full-day place in Ireland, before any subsidy, with Dublin at the top of that range. Enter your area above to see crèches near you.
Does a crèche have to be registered?
Yes: every crèche must be registered with Tusla's Early Years Inspectorate, which inspects it and publishes the reports. You can check a crèche on the Tusla register before you visit.
Can I use the National Childcare Scheme at a crèche?
Yes, if the crèche is registered with Tusla and contracted with the Department. The subsidy is paid to the crèche and taken off your bill.
Do crèches run the free preschool year?
Many do. ECCE gives three free hours a day in term to children who qualify, and a crèche can run those hours inside a longer day, charging only for the extra time.
What ages do crèches take?
It varies by crèche. Some take babies from a few months old and some start at toddler age; each profile shows the ages it takes.
How do I find a crèche near me?
Enter your town, area or Eircode above. The nearest crèches come first, with the care they offer and the ages they take.
How do I find crèche near me?
Enter your Postcode above. Locufy matches you with crèche providers who cover your exact area, ranked by true local distance rather than a rough town or county guess.
Is it free to get crèche quotes on Locufy?
Yes — searching and requesting quotes from local crèche providers carries no subscription fees for customers. You only pay for the work you agree to.
How much does crèche cost?
See our researched crèche price guide — typical costs, what affects the price, and how to save.