Are you looking for help to find Early Learning and Care or School Age Childcare services in County Wicklow ?
Beginning your search
Step 1
Consider your Early Learning and Care service requirements, the type of the service you choose will depend upon:
- your child’s needs and your family needs
- the type of service you prefer (see Types of Childcare below)
- options available in your community
Step 2
Decide on the type of Early Learning and Care service you require.
How much childcare do you require? Knowing your childcare needs will help you to narrow down your options. You may choose a full time Early Learning and Care service (5 hours and more each day) or part time day care. (3.5 hours up to 5 hours), sessional care (up to 3.5 hours) or perhaps home-based childminding service.
Further details on the types of services are available in Types of Childcare below.
Step 3
Childcare Search: Use the Childcare Directory search tool on this website to search for childcare options. Our database allows you to narrow down your choices according to the service location-area code.
You can find this list of Early Learning and Care, School Age Childcare and Childminders on the Childcare Directory located on the homepage, in the Parents section or you can access it directly by clicking here: Search for Childcare
If you cannot find the service you are looking for please email us on info@wccc.ie or call 0404 64455
Step 4
There are various financial supports available for parents and families through the current Childcare Funding Programmes. For more information on the Childcare Funding Programmes, click here for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) or click here for the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE). See also FAQ’s about the ECCE scheme.
Step 5
Once you have created a shortlist of Early Learning and Care services in your area that may meet your childcare needs, you can contact them directly. Guidance on contacting a service and arranging a visit are detailed below.
Types of Childcare
Sessional
A sessional service refers to a programme for children for up to 3.5 hours per session. The first 3 hours are covered under the ECCE scheme. Services may offer a morning and/or an afternoon session.
Part-Time Day Care
A part-time day care service refers to a programme for children over 3.5 hours and less than 5 hours per day.
Full Day Care
A full day service refers to programme for children for more than 5 hours per day. A full day service may include sessional, part-time services and School-Age Childcare Services.
School Age Childcare
A School-Age Childcare service refers to any service for school going children aged 4-15 years, which operates during one or more of the following periods:
- Before school
- After school
- During school holidays
School age childcare services may use a range of terms to describe the type of service being offered: breakfast clubs, after school clubs, out of school programmes summer camps, etc.
Childminders
Childminding refers to paid, non-relative care of children aged from birth to 14 (including both early learning and care and school-age childcare) in which children are cared for within the childminder’s family setting. Childminding is sometimes described as ‘home-based’ care.
Making an Informed Decision
Researching various services allows you to make informed decisions when choosing an Early Learning and Care service.
School-Age Childcare services are regulated by the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.
Barnardos have published a booklet Quality School Age Care-What to look for in a Service to Care for your Child Outside of School which offers guidance to parents/carers on choosing a quality service for their child during the time when they are not available and their child is not in school.
The Early Learning and Care sector is regulated under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years’ Services) Regulations 2016. Tusla Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility to support compliance and quality standards through regular inspection.
For more information on the Regulations and Early Years Inspections see the Regulations section of the website here
To view Tusla registered service’s inspection reports visit: Tusla’s website
The National Child Safeguarding Programme; Early Learning and Care have developed a leaflet for parents. The purpose of the leaflet is to outline what parents can expect in relation to Child Safeguarding from Early Learning and Care services, it is available in English and Irish and can be downloaded below:
Contacting a Service Provider
Initial contact/phone interview
Once you have completed research regarding services, the next task is to shortlist potential services. A brief email or phone interview asking your key questions will guide you to the next stage of choosing a suitable service. When you contact an early learning and care service, you can ask a number of questions initially. These questions may help you to shortlist providers and make informed decisions in choosing an appropriate care for your child.
Such questions may include:
- Is the service registered with Tusla?
- What are the opening hours of the service?
- What age range does the service cater for?
- Are there spaces currently available or is there a waiting list in operation?
- What types of care are provided, e.g., full day care, part-time, sessional, etc.?
- If your child has specific needs, is the service resourced to meet those needs?
- What information is already available to you – Website, Facebook page etc.?
Arranging a visit to an Early Years' Service
After an initial phone or email interview, it is recommended that you visit the service.*
*You will need to consider the health guidance on non-essential visitors to a service during Covid-19, please contact your service provider directly for guidance on visiting the service.
Even with Covid-19 restrictions in place, it is important that you get the opportunity to meet the manager and staff and explore the setting’s environments, and discuss the policies and procedures that are in place.
This is your opportunity to ask about topics such as the service’s approach to behaviour management, the procedures in place for emergencies, is there a healthy eating policy and how the service encourages your child’s interests and promotes independence. Then as a parent/guardian, you can decide if the service compliments your approach to parenting and is the appropriate fit for you and your family.
Some points to consider:
- Narrow your choices down to a couple of services that best suit your child and your family.
- Consider first impressions of the service. What do your instincts tell you about the service? Would you be happy to leave your child in that service?
- Consider external information available to you: Tusla’s Early Years’ and the Department of Education and Skills (ECCE only) inspection reports are available online, Tusla’s early years inspection reports can be accessed here.
- Has anyone been able to recommend a service to you?
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A service provider should be happy to inform parents on their service, their approach to education and care and clarify any misconceptions.
