# Pre-school education and childcare | Schooling | Moving to Ireland > Preschool education and childcare are crucial in a child's early development. In Ireland, the government has numerous initiatives to support families in… Source: https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/pre-school-education-and-childcare/ Schooling · Step 2 of 6 # Pre-school education and childcare 2 min read · Updated 13 September 2026 Preschool education and childcare are crucial in a child's early development. In Ireland, the government has numerous initiatives to support families in accessing affordable preschool education and childcare services. ## Preschool Education Preschool education is available to children aged between 3 and 5 years. The government provides a free preschool education scheme called the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program. This program is available to all children, regardless of their family's income, and covers the cost of three hours of preschool education per day, five days a week, for 38 weeks of the year. Parents have the option to extend the [ECCE programme](http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/) to a full day or to continue the child's education in a private preschool facility. The government also provides funding to parents who cannot afford private preschool education for their children. ## Childcare Services Childcare services are available for children aged up to 15 years. There are a range of childcare services available in Ireland, including crèches, nurseries, and childminding services. Crèches are group childcare facilities that provide full-day care for children up to the age of six. They are typically open from early in the morning until late in the evening to accommodate working parents. Nurseries provide childcare and early education for children up to the age of six. They are usually open for shorter hours than crèches, typically from 9am to 1pm or 2pm. Childminding services are provided by individual childminders who care for children in the childminder's own home. This service is typically less expensive than crèches and nurseries. The government provides numerous financial supports for parents to help them pay for childcare. These supports include the [National Childcare Scheme,](http://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/) which provides subsidies to families who meet certain income criteria. Parents may also be eligible for the [Universal Childcare Subsidy](http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/pre_school_education_and_childcare/universal_childcare_subsidy.html), which provides financial assistance for parents who are not eligible for other childcare support. ## Conclusion In summary, preschool education and childcare are essential for a child's development, and the Irish government provides a range of initiatives to support families in accessing these services. Whether it's through the free [ECCE program](http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/) or through financial support for private preschool education and childcare services, parents in Ireland have a range of options to choose from. ![](https://www.movingtoireland.co/apple-touch-icon.png) You have read 26% of this guide ## Keep reading in the Moving to Ireland app The rest of **Pre-school education and childcare** — about 1 minute more — is in the app, free to download, alongside 98 other guides and a checklist built around your own move. Still to come in this guide - Childcare Services - Conclusion [Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) iPhone and iPad · no account needed ## More on schooling [All 6 guides in this section](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/) - ### [An overview of Irish Education System](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/an-overview-of-irish-education-system/) Education is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of a healthy society, and Ireland has a strong education system that is highly regarded around the… 2 min read - ### [Primary and post-primary education](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/primary-and-post-primary-education/) Education is an important aspect of Irish society, with a strong emphasis placed on providing quality education to all students. Ireland's education… 2 min read - ### [State examinations](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/state-examinations/) In Ireland, the State Examinations are a vital part of the education system. These exams are taken by students at the end of their secondary school… 1 min read - ### [Third-level education](https://www.movingtoireland.co/guides/schooling/third-level-education/) Third level education in Ireland is highly regarded and recognized worldwide, with a range of courses available across universities, institutes of… 2 min read Keep going ## Get the full schooling roadmap in the app Moving to Ireland turns 99 guides into a personal checklist. Tell it your passport, whether you have moved yet, and who is coming with you, and it lays out every step in order — from the visa to the bins. - Step-by-step checklist - Tailored to your passport - Pre-move & post-move - Family & pet sections [![Download Moving to Ireland on the App Store](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-store-badge.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261) ★★★★★ 4.9 on the App Store [![Expats who settled in Ireland, two five-star App Store reviews, and the Moving to Ireland app showing its relocation checklist](https://www.movingtoireland.co/images/app-social-proof.webp)](https://apps.apple.com/app/moving-to-ireland/id6446055261)