Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme

Information For Parents on Subsidised Childcare

What is the Community Childcare Subvention ( CCS ) Scheme?

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) scheme is available from community based, not-for-profit services throughout the county under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). These services are subsidised (through a grant) to enable them to provide high quality childcare places, at a reduced cost to parents who are in receipt of state benefits, or who hold a Medical or GP card.

To avail of CCS, community not-for-profit childcare services are required to operate an effective tiered fee system, with maximum and minimum fees set at appropriate levels.

All monies received under the subvention scheme will go directly to the childcare service. All services participating in the CCS scheme, must also be participating in the ECCE (free pre-school year) Scheme.

Who can avail of the CCS Scheme?

Parents who are in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment, or who hold a Medical Card/G.P. Visit Card are entitled to avail of the CCS Scheme. If you are a parent receiving a social welfare payment, then you may be entitled to subsidised childcare.

Which services offer the CCS Scheme?

The CCS Scheme is available only in not-forprofit, Community Childcare Services.

 How do I avail of the CCS Scheme?

Contact your local Community Childcare Service and inform them that you would like to avail of the Scheme. You will be required to complete a Parent Declaration form to avail of the Scheme. Community Childcare services may request proof of Social Welfare Payment.

Parents will be required to complete a Parent Declaration form at the start of the CCS term in early September in their Childcare Service. This form is available from your Childcare Service. You will be required to provide the following details:

• Your full name
• Your PPS Number
• Your Child’s full name
• Your Child’s PPS Number
• Your Child’s Date of Birth
• Name of Childcare Service
• Your signature

This form then allows your Childcare Service to make an electronic return to ensure that they receive the correct amount of grant funding. Your Childcare Service will not be keeping any of this information once the electronic return is complete. Childcare fees are based on the cost of providing a quality childcare place in their service, and will vary from service to service.

You cannot claim both CCS & ECCE simultaneously in respect of one child. However, you could have your child in CCS for a period of time, and you could also have that child on the ECCE Scheme while they are eligible.

What am I entitled to under the CCS Scheme?

If you are a parent in receipt of any of the following social welfare payments, you are entitled to Band A subvention:

• One Parent Family Payment
• Widows/Widower's Pension
• Jobseekers Benefit/Assistance
• Pre-retirement Allowance
• Farm Assist
• State Pension
• Blind Pension
• Guardian's Payment
• Illness/Injury Benefit
• Disability Allowance
• Carer's Benefit/Allowance
• Back to Work/Education Allowance
• Supplementary Welfare Allowance
• Community Employment
• Domiciliary Care Allowance
• Family Income Support (FIS)
• HSE Referrals

If you are a parent who currently holds a medical card or GP visit card, you are entitled to Band B subvention rate.

List of Pre-schools in Limerick City with the CCS Scheme

.