Parents of children born between March 1 2005 and June 30th, 2006 will be able to avail of one year's pre-school education free if the Government goes ahead with its Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) next January.
Jackie Walshe, owner, Playmates Montessori School, Backlanes, has signed up for the scheme.
In business for the past 16 years, she is encouraging parents to contact their local preschool and see if they are taking part in the ECCE scheme and if they have any places available for January.
They can also contact the Louth County Childcare committee and ask for a list of playschools.
'A lot of parents are confused about the scheme and I think it's because the information the government sent out in the summer was confusing. This is because there is a difference in hours, the grant amount and number of weeks the creche's and pre-schools are open.'
Playmates Montessori School will operate the per-school scheme which means the government is paying a grant of € 64.50 per week per child within the age range above.
For that the parents receive three hours per day, five days a week. Schools can't charge the parents unless they operate for three and a half hours. However, parents don't have to avail of the extra half hour and can choose just the three hours free.
Playmates Montessori has a limited number of places available for this January and if parents are interested in a place they can contact the school on 9841611 or 086 3697983
For September 2010 children born during 1 March 2006 - 30th June 2007 will qualify and parents can enroll their children for next September at anytime.
Article appeared in the Irish Independent December 2009
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