Preschool (ECCE) in the UK
A preschool gives children in the years before school a short day of play and early learning in a Tusla-registered setting, and most run the free ECCE programme.
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About preschool (ECCE) services
Preschools go by many names — playschool, naíonra, Montessori — and Tusla registers them all as pre-school services, usually sessional ones of up to three and a half hours a day.
ECCE, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, gives your child three free hours of preschool a day, five days a week, for 38 weeks of the year. A child can start ECCE once they have turned 2 years and 8 months by 31 August, and most children have two years of it before they start school. If your child stays longer than the three hours, the preschool charges for the extra time, and the National Childcare Scheme can help with that cost.
A preschool may offer optional extras, such as food or activities, at a charge; if you choose not to take them, the preschool provides another activity for your child at that time. On Locufy you can see preschools near you with the sessions they run and the ages they take, and check each one on the Tusla register before you enrol.
What affects the price: The ECCE hours are free: the Department pays the preschool for them. A sessional place outside ECCE — for a younger child, or for hours beyond the three — is charged per week, and National Childcare Scheme subsidies can be taken off that fee.
What you get on Locufy
- Free, no-obligation quotes from local preschool (ecce) 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 PPS number for ECCE registration.
- Medical information, allergies and emergency contacts.
- A bag with a spare set of clothes and anything the preschool asks for.
- The names of everyone allowed to collect your child.
Common preschool (ECCE) jobs
Some of the preschool (ECCE) jobs local pros on Locufy take on.
ECCE sessions
Three free hours a day, five days a week, in term, for children who qualify.
Second ECCE year
Most children take two years of ECCE before they start school.
Extra hours
Time before or after the ECCE session, charged by the preschool, with NCS help where you qualify.
Sessional places
Morning sessions for children who are not yet old enough for ECCE.
Irish-language preschool
A naíonra runs the preschool day through Irish.
Support for additional needs
The Access and Inclusion Model helps children with a disability to take part in ECCE.
What's involved in preschool (ecce)
- 1Checking when your child qualifies for ECCE, using the eligibility table on gov.ie.
- 2Visiting preschools near you and checking each one on the Tusla register.
- 3Applying for an ECCE place with the preschool, which registers your child on the programme.
- 4Paying any booking deposit, which is refunded once the ECCE registration is approved.
- 5Settling-in sessions in the first weeks of term.
Good to know
- Check the preschool on the Tusla register and read its latest inspection report.
- Ask which optional extras are charged and what your child does if you choose not to take them.
- Ask how long the session is and whether extra hours are available before or after it.
- Ask whether the preschool takes the National Childcare Scheme for any extra hours.
- Ask how the preschool supports children with additional needs under the Access and Inclusion Model.
What preschool (ecce) includes
Play-based learning
Learning through play, stories, songs and art, planned around the children in the room.
Getting ready for school
Taking turns, following a routine and doing more for themselves, at a pace that suits each child.
Outdoor play
Time outside most days, in the preschool's own garden or yard.
Snack time
A shared snack in the session, provided by the preschool or sent in from home.
Feedback to parents
How your child is getting on, at collection and at the preschool's parent meetings.
How to book preschool (ecce) on Locufy
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Preschool (ECCE) — frequently asked questions
Is preschool free in Ireland?
The ECCE hours are free: three hours a day, five days a week, for 38 weeks of the year. Extra hours and optional extras can be charged.
When can my child start ECCE?
Once they have turned 2 years and 8 months by 31 August, and up to 5 years and 6 months by 30 June of the preschool year. The eligibility table on gov.ie shows the years by month of birth.
How much does a preschool place cost outside ECCE?
Typically €64.50–€85 a week for a sessional place in Ireland, before any subsidy. Enter your area above to see preschools near you.
Can a preschool ask for a deposit?
It can ask for a booking deposit to hold a place, but the deposit has to be refunded once your child's ECCE registration is approved.
Does a preschool have to be registered?
Yes. Every preschool must be registered with Tusla's Early Years Inspectorate, which inspects it and publishes the reports.
How do I find a preschool near me?
Enter your town, area or Eircode above. The nearest preschools come first, with the sessions they run.
How do I find preschool (ecce) near me?
Enter your Postcode above. Locufy matches you with preschool (ecce) providers who cover your exact area, ranked by true local distance rather than a rough town or county guess.
Is it free to get preschool (ecce) quotes on Locufy?
Yes — searching and requesting quotes from local preschool (ecce) providers carries no subscription fees for customers. You only pay for the work you agree to.
How much does preschool (ecce) cost?
See our researched preschool (ecce) price guide — typical costs, what affects the price, and how to save.