Kate - it's free pre-school, not free all-day care. I guess when the 'heads' got together they figured 3 hours was enough. But....in CA, you'd pay approx $500 a month for 3 hours a day for preschool, so I guess it's a good savings.
Have you received quotes for what the difference might be?
@katemreagan here's the official info for ECCE
http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/childcare/ECCE_guideforparents.htm
@moveclubadmin They did provide some quotes, and it is a cost savings compared to what I am paying in Maine.
The two in Clonmel that I contacted are about the same. The cost for the free pre-school would be 107.50 opposed to 170 per week, so essentially a savings of 62.50. However, this fee includes all meals throughout the day - breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and light tea. The fact that food is included is a huge cost-savings.
The one in Wicklow that I contacted is less expensive. The cost for both boys to attend full-time would be 600 a month, including food. The cost difference here probably has a lot to do with it being in a small town (Tinahely), compared to the two in Clonmel.
Either way, not bad considering we are paying around $1,500/month for full-time daycare in Maine.
I'm confused. Why are you paying for pre school at all? We enrolled our 4 year old in preschool and will be sending her to primary school at 5 which seems to be the new normal age to start school, the past few years. We pay noting for 9.30 -12.30. Maybe you are doing the whole day? The free scheme will be extended to include 2 free years soon.
Don't forget to get your children's allowance and free GP care sorted too 🙂
@cfinegan anyone who needs more than the 3 free hours will need to pay to have the rest of the day covered. The scheme only provides 3 hours per day which obviously creates a dilemma when both parents have full time jobs.
@cfinegan we would be doing the whole day of care as Liam mentioned, so unfortunately we have to pay for the rest of the day.
As for the free GP care and child allowance, is there anything special we need to do aside from registering for our residency?
Kate - you must register your kids details. You can do it online here when the time comes.
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/mc/gpvc/under6.html
You'll need yours and your child's PPS #
For children's allowance, you will need to request the form (not available online). You must be able to prove you're 'habitually resident' in Ireland to receive this benefit.
I did not know about the child allowance. They have a similar thing in Denmark where I grew up and I am pleasantly surprised to learn that it is not just a Scandinavian thing 🙂
However, I am getting stressed about schools for my two boys for next year. I have sent in an application to the Jewish school in Dublin 6 which I am hoping we get into because we are Jewish. However, I wonder what would happen if we don't and I think I need to know what my back up plan should be and would love some advice.
From reading various articles, I have gotten the impression that it can be difficult to get a spot for your child in your neighborhood if you child is not a member of the faith of that school ( http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/10/a-new-problem-in-ireland-where-to-find-a-non-catholic-school/280225/;
Can anybody tell me if this is a real concern currently? Might we find ourselves without a spot for our boys or am I just freaking out a little? Is it a matter of being willing to live somewhere less popular or? Thanks so much in advance for any advice!
Rikke,
You definitely need to have a backup. It's common in Ireland for people to put their kids name down on a waiting list from the day the child is born. With people moving around more these days, it's likely that the same kids names are on the wait lists of multiple schools. You might have seen this post on the subject before.
I'd apply to a couple of public schools too. The wait list thing is a bit of a fiasco in my opinion. I personally think that people should only apply in the year their kid will be attending, but because it doesn't work like that, you have to give yourself a good chance and apply to more than one. You might find that many schools that at the outset appear as a regular public school do in fact give preference to, or even insist on, a Catholic background. In fact my brother teaches in a school which is public, but you need to be Catholic to attend.
As regards getting in to a Jewish school, or any other less common type of school, I'd imagine it might be difficult. There wouldn't be many Jewish schools so anybody wanting to get their child into one would have less options to choose from. Have you tried a followup call to the school?
I hope this doesn't sound too daunting. With plenty of planning ahead, I'm sure you'll give yourself a great chance.