Accessing Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
When can my child start their funded ELC hours?
When your child is eligible for funded ELC from is according to their date of birth:
- 1st March – 11th August = August term after their 3rd birthday.
- 12th August – 28th February = Monday after their 3rd birthday (where 3rd birthday is a Monday - this will be the Monday after).
Some children will be eligible earlier for a funded two year old ELC placement.
What funded ELC hours is my child entitled to?
Up to a maximum of 1140 hours between 1st August & 31st July (the academic year). Please note that some patterns chosen could run out of hours sooner then the end of the year, if your child’s pattern doesn’t fall over a proportionate amount of the ELC settings closure dates. You can check with your ELC setting if you will be affected (Children using 6 hours per day term time should not be).
Do I have to use all the funded hours?
No, the hours are an entitlement not a requirement, so you can choose to take all or some of the hours available to you.
Is transport provided for ELC?
ELC provision has no entitlement to transport, unless in exceptional circumstances. Further information is available via our useful documents section.
How do I request an additional year of ELC?
You need to request this by making an online application to P1 during P1 registration week. This is typically a week before ELC registration week in January.
I am on the waiting list for another ELC setting, what will happen?
You can contact the ELC setting at any time to find out where you are on the waiting list. The ELC setting will contact you throughout the year if any spaces become available. During December, anyone on a local authority ELC waiting list will be contacted if there will be space available from the following August.
Can I change the ELC hours I use from week to week?
No, a consistent number of ELC hours must be used each week by selecting the ELC model that your child will attend over the academic year, before they begin their ELC placement. You must decide a pattern of attendance, however you can at any point request to permanently change this (i.e. change days) by giving 4 weeks notice. Where settings offer more than 1 ELC model, you may be able to permanently change ELC model during the year by giving 4 weeks notice. The ELC setting will work with you to establish how many of your child's 1140 hours of entitlement are left to use on the new ELC model.