Parents
Free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
List of Childcare Services Offering Free Pre-School in North Tipperary
The ECCE is a new scheme designed to give children access to a free Pre-School Year of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting-point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment
The ECCE is open to all children aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1 September each year. To avail of the free pre-school year in September 2010,
children must have been born between 2nd February 2006 and 30th June 2007.5 quick steps for Parents / Carers:
1. Check your child's age in order to avail of the free pre-school year
2. If your child is already registered or attending a pre-school, check with the childcare provider to see if they are part of the scheme
3. If your child is not attending or registered with a pre-school, contact this office -the North Tipperary County Childcare Committee, to receive a list of pre-school services taking part in the scheme (list available from October 2009).
4. Contact your preferred choice of pre-school to discuss your child attending as part of the free pre-school year.
5. Once you have registered with a pre-school service the childcare provider will complete any necessary documentation to secure your child's free pre-school year.
N.B. Please be aware that all participating childcare services must offer 3 hours free (3 hour pre-school service). Parents / Carers are not obliged to pay for any additional service.
For further information or clarifications on the new free pre-school year contact Geraldine on 067-44888 or Edel on 067-44887 in the North Tipperary County Childcare Committee.
Or alternatively you can download the following:
Parent and Toddler Groups
A Parent
and Toddler Group is a group of parents / carers and their children who meet
regularly in a suitable location, e.g. a community centre, parish or sports
hall.
Parent
and Toddler Groups provide an opportunity for children to play in a safe
environment supervised by their parents.
They also allow parents / carers to meet others in similar
circumstances in their locality and provide a great support network where
parents have an opportunity to share their experience and advice.
Parenting Programmes in North Tipperary
Parenting programmes are provided by a number of agencies throughout North Tipperary. Here are some details if you are interested in taking part:
Nenagh
Fiona Naughnane
North Tipperary Community Services
(067) 41924
Roscrea
Michelle Putty
Roscrea 2000
(0505) 23379
Thurles
Lisa Long or Olive Carter
Barnardos
(0504) 20018
