Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre aims to provide affordable, high-quality childcare and early years education for families in the local community.

Fees and funding may depend on the service your child attends, the hours required, eligibility for childcare schemes, and the availability of places.

Parents and guardians should contact the Family Centre directly for the most up-to-date fee information.

Phone: 021 439 2300
Email: thefamilycentre2020@gmail.com

1. ECCE Preschool Programme

The Early Childhood Care and Education Programme - ECCE provides free preschool hours for eligible children.

At Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre, ECCE preschool sessions are available during the ECCE programme year.

ECCE hours are free for eligible children during approved ECCE weeks. Additional hours, where available, may involve an extra fee.

2. National Childcare Scheme - NCS

The National Childcare Scheme - NCS provides financial support to help families with childcare costs.

Parents and guardians may be able to apply for NCS support for eligible childcare hours.

To use NCS funding, parents must:

1. Apply through the National Childcare Scheme,
2. Receive a CHICK code,
3. Give the CHICK code to the Family Centre,
4. Confirm the registered childcare hours when requested.

The subsidy is paid directly to the childcare provider and is used to reduce the amount payable by the parent or guardian.

Parents and guardians are responsible for applying for NCS support and keeping their NCS details up to date.

3. Crèche Fees

Crèche places may involve a daily or weekly fee.

Parents may be able to reduce the cost of crèche care by applying for support through the National Childcare Scheme.

Please contact the Family Centre directly for the current crèche fee and to discuss NCS funding options.

4. Preschool Extra Hours

ECCE preschool hours are free for eligible children during approved ECCE sessions.

Where extra hours are available, these may involve an additional fee.

Extra hours are subject to:

• availability,
• room capacity,
• staffing,
• age requirements,
• funding rules,
• the Family Centre's procedures.

Please contact the Family Centre directly to check whether extra hours are available.

5. Weekly Payments

Fees are normally paid weekly, where applicable.

Parents and guardians should ensure that fees are paid on time and in line with the Family Centre’s payment arrangements.

If you are having difficulty with payments, please contact the Family Centre as early as possible so the matter can be discussed privately.

6. Sick Days, Holidays, and Absences

Fees must still be paid for sick days and holiday weeks. The Family Centre does not receive reimbursement from government bodies for these days, so fees remain payable to secure the child’s place.

Parents and guardians should inform the Family Centre as soon as possible if their child will be absent.

7. Notice Period

If you wish to end your child’s place at the Family Centre, 4 weeks’ notice is required.

This allows the Family Centre to manage staffing, funding, waiting lists, and place allocation.

8. Keeping Funding Information Up to Date

Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping funding information up to date.

Please inform the Family Centre if there are changes to:

• your NCS award,
• your CHICK code,
• approved childcare hours,
• attendance pattern,
• contact details,
• family circumstances that may affect funding,
• start date or finish date.

Changes to NCS or attendance may affect the amount payable by the parent or guardian.

9. Confirming Current Fees

Fees, funding rules, and childcare scheme details may change.

Before making childcare arrangements, parents and guardians should confirm the current fee information directly with the Family Centre.