NCS – Parent Resources

MyGovID leaflet for parents

The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the National Childcare Scheme is online on this website.

To apply online you need a verified MyGovID. This account gives you safe, secure, online access to a range of Irish government services.

• NCS MyGovID leaflet for parents and providers – English (PDF)
• NCS MyGovID leaflet for parents and providers – Irish (PDF)

Timeline for completion of an NCS application

The turnaround time for application approval is dependent on the following factors:

• Application Type e.g. Universal or Income Assessed.
• Application Route e.g. Income Assessed, with or without partner.
• Medium e.g. Online or Offline (Postal).
• That all required information has been provided.

Typically, Universal applications have the quickest turnaround times followed by Fast- Track and then Manual Income Assessed applications.  The offline application process will take considerably longer.

Below is a guide as to overall turnaround times per application type.

Note:

• There is no retrospective subsidies awarded. A CHICK will only be valid from the Monday following full completion of the application.
• In some instances, for Income Assessed & Offline Applications, we may require further information to progress the application.  The completion of the application is paused until the required information is received and reviewed. The onus is on the applicant to submit this information once requested, at their earliest convenience. 
• For Income Assessed applications that include a partner, consent of the partner is required to process the application. The applicants’ partner has 7 days to consent to the NCS Privacy Statement. During that time, the application will be paused unless partner consent has been submitted. If partner consent is submitted within the 7-day period, the application will proceed. If partner consent is not received, by the 8th day the 

National Childcare Scheme policy guidelines

This Policy Guidelines document sets out the rules governing the National Childcare Scheme, reflecting both the primary and secondary legislation.

There is also a series of guides detailing the Standard Operating Procedures, which act as operational manuals for the Scheme Administrator in running the Scheme.

• National Childcare Scheme Policy Guidelines (PDF)

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme rules

• ECCE Programme Rules 2022-23 – English (PDF)
• ECCE Programme Rules 2022-23 – Irish (PDF)

Absence exemptions

Subject to approval, the following are situations that qualify as “exceptional circumstances” for a child’s absences of more than 4 weeks:

• Immediate Family Bereavement
• Travel to birthplace of child, or of child’s parents
• Child is moving in or out of care placement
• Prolonged illness (more than four weeks) of parent or child
• Family moving into or out of emergency accommodation

To request an exemption, you must complete and sign the below form outlining the reason for the exemption request. The exact dates must also be included.

You can submit this via the Parent Portal or else the provider can submit it via the Early Years Hive. A letter or medical cert may be requested by the scheme admin, if necessary.

• Special Circumstances Absence Exemption Form (NCS)
• Special Circumstances Absence Exemption Form (ECCE/AIM)
• Special Circumstances Absence Exemption Form (CCSP)

Under-attendance exemptions

Exceptional circumstances for under-attendance of 8 weeks or more are limited to regular attendance at medical or therapeutic appointments by the child, parent or a sibling.

To request an exemption, you must complete and sign the below form confirming the reason for the exemption. The exact dates must also be included.

You can submit this via the Parent Portal or else the provider can submit it via the Early Years Hive. A letter or medical cert may be requested by the scheme admin, if necessary.

• Under-attendance form