Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.

All eligible children can fully avail of two years of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. There is no anomaly for children born between September 25 and 11 January or any other period. Children during this period can avail of two years.

The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before August 31st as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months of age on or before June 30th of the programme year. The first point of eligibility therefore falls on the opening of the programme year at end August of every year. Parents may choose to enter their child in August of the second year of eligibility and avail of just one year of the scheme.

While some parents may choose not to avail of the full two years, where they wish to start their children earlier or later in primary school, there are no conditions that would prevent a child being eligible for two years of ECCE under the current scheme.