FAQs
What is the ECCE scheme
The ECCE scheme is the state funded program for preschool aged children. It funds 3 hours a day for 38 weeks a year. Eligibility is based on your child's age, this link can be used to check their eligibility and provides the most up to date information on the scheme.
What will my child need to bring everyday?
Everyday children are required to attend fully dressed for the outdoors along with a healthy packed lunch in containers they can open themselves and a bottle of water. We are a Healthy Ireland Smart Start Preschool so only healthy snacks should be provided. If your child suffers from any food allergies please let me know.
Sept and April-June - Sunhats and sun cream applied prior to preschool in sunny weather (no rain gear necessary on these days)
How should I dress my child for the outdoors?
As we will be outdoors it will be an enrolment condition that your child is suitably dressed for the outdoor and the following is our recommendation
The base layer – this manages moisture, wicking perspiration away from the skin where it can evaporate. Avoid cotton, which gets clammy and cold with sweat. Instead either natural wool or polyester and thermal underwear.
The insulating layer protects from the cold by trapping warm air close to the body. Fleece, both lightweight and breathable, keeps insulating even when wet.
The shell layer keeps wind and rain at bay, a separate rain jacket and leggings/dungarees rather than an all in one suit are more child friendly (for example when using the toilet). Unlined waterproofs are more versatile than fleece-lined, they are easy to pull on/off and lighter in weight, they also dry much faster when wet.
The base and insulating layers are widely available in children clothes stores. As regards the shell layer there are many options, locally Landers, Mountain Warehouse and Regatta (Shaws) have good ranges in stock, puddleducks.ie also have a good selection and Lidl generally have raingear towards the end of September. I would recommend a good pair of insulated or fleece lined wellington boots also as its usually feet that will feel any cold first.
How much time will my child spend outdoors?
We are outside as much as possible. While we have a beautiful indoor space, we find the children much prefer the outdoors and over the years we have progressed to spend the 3 hour session outdoors for most of the Spring Summer and Autumn. When the weather is very windy and wet and when temperate are low such as in Wintertime, we will start our morning indoors and after snack time decide if it ok to go outdoors for a period of time. In light rain we can continue to play or take shelter in the garden until rain passes.
How do you manage the toilet outdoors?
Due to the nature of being outdoors and in wet gear it is important that children are fully toilet trained. Toilet facilities are available in the outdoor space so children need to be able to alert a member of staff that they need to be brought to the toilet and if required staff will assist them with the wet gear so they can use the toilet. Mishaps will happen especially when they have so many layers of clothes but children master this quickly especially when they are missing precious play time!