Childcare Department

Our Mission Statement

We aim to provide a creative, caring, stimulating and safe environment with an emphasis on education, development of social skills and encouragement of independence and to provide children with key experiences which will afford them a positive, safe and enriching childhood 

The Childcare Facility was first set up in 1985 to support women who wished to take part in training and adult education opportunities within Women’s Community Projects. Today the Childcare Facility supports students, employees and families in the Community.

It  receives funding from the through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth affairs (DCEDIY) through the ‘Together for Better’ funding model for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. Together for Better brings together three major elements, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE Scheme) including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and Core Funding.

Additionally, we receive funding through Pobal for  our Community Services Programme (CSP), funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).

Ages and Services available

Opening Hours: 8.30am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday.

We cater for children from 2 years to 12 years and have one Crèche, 4 Preschool groups and an After school /Out of school groups.

Crèches

The Crèche caters for children from 2 to 3 years.

Pre-schools

Pre-school caters for children from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years.

After-school

The after-school services cater for children from school going age to 12 years.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is based on play and learning through play, which encourages the child to learn at their own pace and to express themselves creatively through music, dance and arts and crafts. The children’s physical, emotional and intellectual well-being is nurtured within a warm, safe and friendly environment.

Our curriculum also works under the guidelines of Aistear and Siolta Standards and Principles.

NCS Calendars

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Healthy Ireland Smart Start

Our Preschool was awarded the HISS (Healthy Ireland Smart Start) award in 2022. This Pre-school Health Promotion training programme is the result of over a decade of collaboration led by the HSE Department of Health Promotion and Improvement in partnership with National Childhood Network, to ensure children in the pre-school settings are supported to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours in early childhood.

There are 5 pillars in which the validated preschool must meet certain requirement which include: 

Health Promotion, Emotional Well-Being, Physical Activity, Nutrition & Oral Health. 

Our curriculum encompasses each of these aspects daily through our healthy homecooked menu and our emergent and planned activities with the children.

 

Outdoor Play Area

Our outdoor play area is equipped to a high standard with age appropriate play equipment. Children are given the opportunity to be creative and imaginative while developing physical, social and intellectual skills. Our outdoor area includes an outdoor kitchen, farmyard, physical activity equipment and rest areas.

Schemes Available

THE NATIONAL CHILDCARE SCHEME (NCS)

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was introduced in November 2019 to provide financial support for parents towards the cost of childcare.

There are two types of childcare subsidy for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age:

Your child must be attending a childcare provider who is registered with Tusla (including childminders and school-age childcare services) and has a National Childcare Scheme contract with the Department of Childcare and Youth Affairs.

Subsides are paid directly to your childcare provider, however you must apply for the subsidy yourself. Your provider then subtracts your subsidy from your childcare bill.

Parents can apply online by visiting https://www.mygovid.ie/ 

Once the parent has received their CHICK number and their subsidy details they should contact a member of management.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION SCHEME (ECCE)

The ECCE programme is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June each year. Children can join the ECCE programme in September, providing they meet the eligibility criteria required. Childcare services taking part in the ECCE scheme must provide an appropriate pre-school educational programme which adheres to the principles of Síolta, the national framework for early years care and education.

For Further Information on our Parent Statement for Partner Services please follow this Link

For further details contact: the Childcare Manager at childcaremanager@wcpmullingar.ie or 044 93 44863

Childcare Fees

Session Type	Cost per week	ECCE available
Full Day	€180 (44 hours per week)	YES
Part-Time	€90 (20 hours per week)	YES
Stay and Play	€124.50 (30 hours per week)	YES
Sessional	€65 (15 hours per week)	YES
Half Session	€55 (10 hours per week)	NO

More information on getting and using a verified MyGovID is available on the MyGovID website.

Please note that a paper-based application is also available. You can apply by post by contacting the National Childcare Scheme Parent Support Centre.

Alternatively, you can call +353 1 906 8530 (between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday) or email them on NCS@dcya.gov.ie.

Please note that these applications will take longer to process and may affect the start date from which your subsidy can be paid.

You can find more information on ncs.gov.ie and on the NCS document.