ECCE Year - one day out

quad_red

Hi folks,

Would appreciate advice here. Our little man is 3 this year. Would like to get him into the free ECCE year at Montessorri.

Have spoken to the Fingal Childcare Committee and they insist the eligible birth window is 2/210 to 30/6/11.

So he was born one day out (six hours to be exact) on 1 July 2011.

Now, this will make a massive life and financial difference to us.

I am about to call the Department of Education ECCE section but I want to put it out there - has anyone else had to deal with something like this?

Thanks v much,
Quad

Lisha

My friend appealed in writing and was successful so ring and ask who to address letter to and take it from there
Best of luck

muckisluck

I'd say the rule actually works in your child's favour. He would be very young going to school with a birthdate of July 1st. Financially it may make a difference now but in a lifetime your son will benefit more by waiting till next year for his ecce year.

Moonbeam

Do you plan to send the child to school next year when they turn 4 in the July or to pay for the 2nd year? You can appeal it.

quad_red

Hi folks,

We're considering our options.

If he wasn't ready for school at four we definitely won't send him - absolutely not. We'd pay for the second year of montessorri in that case.

But it would suit us financially to get the subsidized year next year either way (if that makes sense).

@Lisha - where exactly did you send the letter? To the ECCE section or the Ministers office?

Thanks v much,
Quad

Lisha

It was friend that appealed not me. But she was told who to address it to by either local citizens advice or local hse office.
Ask the Playschool they might have a point of contact
It was not minister at all.
When I asked was my child ok age wise it was a phone call to citizens advice that gave me the info I needed
Hth