National Childcare Scheme
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Subsidy am I eligible for?
The type of subsidy you are eligible for depends on your individual family circumstances, such as your family income and your child’s age. Useful resources to guide you will be available on the website in the coming months. A Subsidy Calculator will also be available when the Scheme launches. The Subsidy Calculator is a useful tool, which can help you in understanding which subsidy may benefit you most.
How will I receive my Subsidy?
The National Childcare Scheme recognises the importance of choice for families. As such, you can avail of your subsidy by registering with any childcare provider participating in the Scheme.
Your subsidy will be paid directly to your chosen childcare provider once you have made arrangements with them. After your application has been approved, you will receive a unique code, called a CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key). The CHICK, along with your child’s name and date of birth, are all your provider needs to register your child on the National Childcare Scheme. After you have confirmed your hours of childcare, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will pay the subsidy to them on your behalf. Your provider will then subtract your subsidy from your childcare bill.
How will the Subsidies work?
The National Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family. The system has been designed to respond to these needs by providing subsidies, which can be applied to the hours of care agreed between parents and providers.
Parents and providers will continue to work together as they currently do, agreeing the amount of care based on a combination of what a parent needs and what a provider can reasonably offer. Providers will continue to set their own fees, sessions and decide their own admissions policies. The subsidy can then be applied to the hours of care agreed, up to the maximum amount available to you under the Scheme. Providers will simply subtract your subsidy from their published fee, giving you access to lower childcare costs.
How to Apply
From November 20th 2019 you can apply for a subsidy online on this website.
To apply online you will need to have a verified MyGovID.
Get in Touch
The National Childcare Scheme Parent Support Centre is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call 01 9068530
Email us at ncs@dcya.gov.ie
You can also contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.