Free ECCE Preschool Places in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme is Ireland's government-funded free preschool programme, giving every eligible child two full years of early education before they begin primary school. Poppins Montessori is a fully approved ECCE provider in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, and we currently have places available for September 2026.
Under the ECCE scheme, the government pays directly for 3 hours of preschool per day, 5 days a week, for 38 weeks of the year. At Poppins, those hours are delivered through our full Montessori programme, meaning your child receives a structured, play-based early education rooted in over 100 years of proven Montessori practice.
Is my child eligible?
The ECCE scheme is a universal programme — there are no income limits and no means testing. Every child within the eligible age range is entitled to take part.
Age eligibility 2026/27
Your child must have turned 2 years and 8 months old by 31 August 2026, and must not be older than 5 years and 6 months by 30 June 2027.
In practice, this means children born between approximately January 2022 and December 2023 will be eligible to begin ECCE in September 2026.
Most children are entitled to two full academic years on the scheme.
Exemptions
If your child has additional needs or a disability, they may be eligible for an exemption from the upper age limit under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). AIM provides seven levels of progressive support to help children with disabilities fully participate in the ECCE programme — Poppins is a LINC-certified school, meaning we are specially trained to support inclusion in our classroom.
How to secure your child's ECCE place
Applying for the ECCE scheme is straightforward. Here is how it works at Poppins:
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Contact us to check availability.
Call Caroline on 086 818 1115 or email poppins2019@outlook.com to confirm we have an ECCE place for your child's year. We recommend doing this as early as possible — places for September 2026 are already being reserved.
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Come in for a visit.
We operate an open door policy and encourage all families to visit before enrolling. It's a chance for your child to see the classroom, meet the team, and settle any first-day nerves well in advance.
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Complete the Pre-Registration Form.
Once you've chosen Poppins, you'll complete a standard government Pre-Registration Form. You'll need your child's full name, date of birth, PPS number, and Eircode. We handle the rest — submitting your child's details through the government's Early Years HIVE system on your behalf.
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Place confirmed
Once registered on the government Early Years Hive, you will receive a Parent Statement confirming the programme dates and optional extras.
What your child will experience at Poppins during ECCE hours
ECCE providers are required by the government to deliver a programme that follows Síolta and Aistear — Ireland's national frameworks for quality early childhood education. At Poppins, we go beyond the minimum requirement by delivering a full, structured Montessori curriculum during every ECCE session.
Montessori work cycle
Each morning, children engage in self-directed Montessori activities covering practical life skills, sensorial development, early mathematics, and language — using purpose-made Montessori materials in a calm, prepared environment.
Irish language
Irish is woven naturally into the daily routine through songs, stories, games, and conversation — giving children an enjoyable and age-appropriate introduction to the language.
Circle time & storytime
Group circle time builds communication, listening, and social skills. Monthly curriculum themes keep learning connected and progressive throughout the year.
Outdoor garden time
Our garden is an extension of the classroom. Weather permitting, children spend time outdoors each day — supporting physical development, curiosity, and a connection with the natural world.
Afterschool Club - 1:30–5:30pm
Our afterschool club runs Monday to Friday from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, aligned with Divine Word National School. Includes homework support, a hot meal, and supervised play. A seamless full-day solution for working parents.
