The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides both universal and income-assessed subsidies to help parents to meet the cost of early learning and childcare. All families can receive a universal subsidy, but the highest subsides are provided to families with the lowest levels of income through the income-assessed subsidy. The NCS is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family. Under the NCS, subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, up to a maximum number of 45 hours a week for which the subsidy applies.
The NCS is a national scheme, and the funding follows the child. Families who apply for the NCS in respect of their children will receive a CHICK code in relation to their child which they can then bring to the provider of their choice. Once the provider registers the CHICK and the parent confirms the details, the funding will go directly to the provider. Once a parent has a CHICK, it can be used in multiple providers, if appropriate. A parent could choose to use one provider in term, and another out of term, or different providers on specific days of the week, once they do not exceed the maximum 45 hours.
Parents who are separated and share custody of the child may make separate applications for subsidies in relation to the hours for which each of them has custody of the child. If parents are separated and each is awarded a subsidy in relation to the same child, the parents receive different CHICKs.
Where a parent shares custody with a grandparent or other relative acting in loco parentis, two separate applications may be made. In all such cases, each parent (or person acting in loco parentis) is only eligible for a subsidy for the hours each week that the person has custody of the child.
When separated parents make separate applications for subsidies, the hours of childcare claimed at registration by each parent must not overlap, and the combined hours of subsidy of the two parents cannot exceed the limits specified under the NCS in respect of a child.
Parents can contact the NCS Parent Support Centre, which provides dedicated assistance to parents and guardians in relation to their applications and any queries they may have. The Parent Support Centre can be contacted by telephone at 01 906 8530, or via the online contact form available at www.ncs.gov.ie, where staff are available to provide guidance and support.
