The Irish government has implemented a new scheme, that of offering a free preschool year to children. It is certainly a landmark development as far as education services and early childhood care is concerned. The implementation of the new scheme is the responsibility of the OMCYA or the Office of the Minister for Children and Affairs. The scheme is meant for all community and private pre-schools.

There are certain terms and conditions that have been outlined as part of the scheme. These include:

·         The children participating in the scheme should be aged between 3 years and 3 months and 4 years and 6 months. An exception to this rule can only be made in case of children whose age has been assessed by the HSE itself. This will automatically delay the time for their admission to a school.

·         The services extended by the providers should be in compliance to the set standards of Child Care regulations of the pre-school services and the HSE should be informed about it.

·         The services should make arrangements for the enrolment of 8 children as part of their pre school year program. If the program complies with the other contractual requirements, then a few exceptions may be considered.

·         The services should be willing to extend a proper educational programme meant for children in their pre school year. It is necessary that it adhere to the framework established in the state for early education.

·         All the institutes that offer the service as part of the scheme must comply with the requirements set in terms of the days per week, the number of hours per day and the weeks in a particular year. There is no such compulsion for children that they have to attend the classes on a regular basis.

It is necessary for you to be aware of all the guidelines so that you can check whether the facility follows the same.