Types of Early Years Services

There are different types of early years services and the type you choose will be based on the needs of your child and your family.

Pre-School Service:

Is an early childhood care and education service catering for children aged 0-6years who are not attending school. A pre-school can be delivered as a sessional service up to 3.5hrs a day, or be a part-time day-care service where children attend for up to 5 hrs or be full day care where they attend for longer. A pre-school can also be based in a drop-in centre, an over-night service, or operate as a temporary service. They may be more commonly known as playschool, naíonra, or creche. Childminders are not considered a pre-school.

School Age Service:

Is a service that provides care, which includes a range of developmental and recreational activities for children under the age of 15 years, who are in primary or post-primary education, outside of school hours. For example; an afterschool service, or a breakfast club service.

Childminding Service:

A childminder who is paid to look after other people’s children. This does not include those that only look after relative’s children. Childminders work in their own home and they work alone.

Types of pre-school services

There are specific types of pre-school service

Sessional pre-school service:

Offers a planned programme for not more than 3.5 hours a session.

Part-time day care service:

Offers a structured day care service for more than 3.5 hours but less than 5 hours a day.

Full day care service:

Offers a structured day care service for more than 5 hours a day.

Pre-school service in a Drop-in-Centre:

Offers day care which is only to be used now and again on a casual basis, and for not more than 2 hours while the parent or guardian is availing of a service or attending an event (for example going shopping).

Temporary pre-school service:

Offers day care only on a temporary basis. Examples include once off events such as a conference or a sports event.

Overnight pre-school service:

Pre-school children are taken care of for more than 2 hours between the hours of 7pm and 6am.