Question 1

What ages do you take?

Accepted Answer

From 6 months to 12 years, across five rooms: The Nest (baby room), Wobblers, Toddlers, the Montessori / ECCE Room and the After-School Club.

Question 2

Are you Tusla registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every crèche and pre-school in Ireland must be registered with Tusla and is inspected under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. Our inspection reports are published on the Tusla website and we're happy to give you a copy of the latest one.

Question 3

What are your adult to child ratios?

Accepted Answer

For full day care and part-time day care the statutory ratios are set out below. These are legal minimums, and we roster above minimum at drop-off and collection when small children need most from us.

Question 4

Do you take the free preschool (ECCE)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ECCE is a free, universal two-year preschool programme funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality: 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks a year (182 days), running 1 September to 30 June. A child must have turned 2 years and 8 months by 31 August of the programme year, and must not be older than 5 years and 6 months on or before 30 June of that year. There are no exemptions to the lower age limit. Children with special educational needs may get an exemption from the upper age limit. Learning materials are included. Meals and optional extras may be charged for, and we must offer an alternative activity to any child not taking an optional extra. If your child attends beyond the three ECCE hours, the extra hours are charged and can be subsidised through the NCS.

Question 5

My child turns 3 in November — when can they start ECCE?

Accepted Answer

They must be 2 years and 8 months by 31 August of that programme year, so a child turning 3 in November would have been 2 years and 8 months the previous January and qualifies for that September.

Question 6

How much will I actually pay?

Accepted Answer

A full day place of 45 hours a week is €255. The universal National Childcare Scheme subsidy is €2.14 an hour for up to 45 hours — that's €96.30 a week. You pay €158.70 a week. If your household income is below the income-assessed threshold, your subsidy will be higher again. Scheme rates and thresholds correct as of September 2026. Always confirm current rates at ncs.gov.ie and with your service.

Question 7

Do I qualify for the National Childcare Scheme?

Accepted Answer

Everyone with a child aged 24 weeks to 15 years in a Tusla-registered service qualifies for the universal subsidy regardless of income. Lower-income households get more through the income-assessed subsidy, which is worth up to €5.10 per hour. You cannot claim both — you take whichever is worth more. From 31 August 2026 the income thresholds rise: the lower threshold increases from €26,000 to €34,000 and the upper threshold from €60,000 to €68,000. It is well worth re-checking your entitlement even if you were told before that you did not qualify. Scheme rates and thresholds correct as of September 2026. Always confirm current rates at ncs.gov.ie and with your service.

Question 8

How do I apply for the NCS?

Accepted Answer

Four steps: get a verified MyGovID; apply online at ncs.gov.ie; receive your CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key); give the code to us and we register it, and the subsidy comes off your bill. For postal applications or help by phone, ring the NCS Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530.

Question 9

Is there a waiting list?

Accepted Answer

Yes for the Baby Room, and at times for the Wobblers and Toddlers rooms. The list is ordered by date of application, then siblings of children already attending, then by the days required — a family needing the days that have come free is offered the place first. There is no charge to join the waiting list and no obligation to take a place if one comes up.

Question 10

What's included in the fee?

Accepted Answer

All meals and snacks including a hot lunch, nappies and wipes, sun cream, and all activities and materials. What isn't included: optional extras such as the summer holiday camp and the school-year swimming block.

Question 11

What about a child with additional needs?

Accepted Answer

Supports are available through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which supports children with a disability to take part in the ECCE programme. No formal diagnosis is needed and each child is considered on a case by case basis. Come and have a conversation with Aoife before you fill in anything. We would far rather plan properly with you from the start.

Question 12

Do you provide meals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cooked on site by our own chef. Children in full day care are offered at least two meals and two snacks including one hot meal, in line with the Department's nutrition standards for early learning and care services. We are a nut-free setting. Every allergy, intolerance and dietary requirement is recorded in writing at enrolment, allergen information is displayed daily, and children with allergies have their own named place setting and care plan in the room and the kitchen.

Question 13

What's your settling-in process?

Accepted Answer

Two free settling visits before your child starts: the first about an hour with you staying, the second a little longer with you slipping away for a while. Every child has a named key worker who does the daily handover and keeps the learning journal, and we ring you on the first full day to tell you how it's going.

Question 14

What happens if my child is sick?

Accepted Answer

Children who are unwell need to be at home, and our infection control policy sets out exclusion periods for the common ones — 48 hours clear of vomiting or diarrhoea, 24 hours on antibiotics for a bacterial infection, and so on. We'll ring you if a child becomes unwell during the day. Prescribed medication is only administered with a signed parental authorisation giving the dose and times, and every administration is recorded and countersigned. We do not give non-prescribed medication other than agreed teething gel or barrier cream. We are required to notify Tusla of certain infectious disease diagnoses, and we work with Public Health where an outbreak is suspected.

Question 15

Can I see your policies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. They include managing behaviour, authorisation to collect, fire safety, administration of medication, infection control, safe sleep, complaints, admissions, our child safeguarding statement, healthy eating and allergens, outings, and data protection and photography. All are available on request and are displayed or held in the entrance hall.

Question 16

Do you take photos of the children?

Accepted Answer

Only with written parental consent. We never publish full names alongside images, and no child's face appears on social media without consent. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and we act on it immediately. You'll notice the photographs on this website deliberately avoid children's faces — that is the same policy applied to our own marketing.

Question 17

What are your closure dates?

Accepted Answer

We close on bank holidays and for two weeks at Christmas, plus one staff training day each June. ECCE runs September to June.

Question 18

Can I visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — viewings are by appointment, weekday afternoons, usually between 1pm and 3pm when the rooms are calm and you can see how we actually work. Ring 056 000 0000 or send us an enquiry.