Enter the date of birth to view results.
Note: Calculations are based on Ireland’s ECCE scheme rules (2025). Children are eligible from 2 years 8 months to 5 years 6 months as of September 1st. Verify eligibility and hours with your preschool provider or CitizensInformation.ie.
Our ECCE Calculator Ireland is a free, easy-to-use tool designed to help parents and guardians in Ireland estimate their child’s eligibility for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. Whether you’re planning preschool enrollment or exploring free childcare hours, this calculator provides accurate results based on Ireland’s ECCE program rules as of 2025. With a detailed results table and an interactive breakdown chart, you’ll gain clear insights into your child’s ECCE benefits and potential costs.
An ECCE Calculator is a valuable tool for parents in Ireland, helping determine when a child is eligible for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme, a government-funded program offering two years of free preschool. By inputting the child’s date of birth, the calculator confirms eligibility and start dates, ensuring families can plan for early education.
The ECCE Scheme, administered by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), provides 3 hours of free preschool daily, 5 days a week, for 38 weeks annually (September to June). Children qualify if they are at least 2 years and 8 months old by August 31 of the program year and not older than 5 years and 6 months by June 30. For example, a child born between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, is eligible for the full two years starting September 2024.
For accuracy, verify your child’s birth date and check with local providers for available places. An ECCE Calculator simplifies access to free preschool, supporting early learning. Calculate your child’s eligibility today