MagicMum.com

Hi

Just wondering if anybody has formally applied for the free childcare place.
DS goes to a full-time creche, and several months ago they told us how the scheme would work, and how the price we pay for the full time place would reduce to account for the 3 free hours.
Anyway, it has just struck me that maybe we needed to apply to the state to get the place, or do the creches/montessoris apply on the childs behalf?

I'm going to ask them on Monday, but I'm a bit worried now.

Cheers

M
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as far as i'm aware dd2 montessori has applyed on her behalf.....mmmmm i better check that out tues myself , i just presumed they would do it

I've heard nothing from our montessori/creche. I enquired about a month ago and was told they had nothing official yet. I must ask again as January is only round the corner.

Our montessoi has done it on our behalf..

I was asked for ds1's pps number the other day , i presume its connected to that

I hope the goverment dont do a u turn on it....im struggling paying teh 55euro pw and the only thing keeping me going is that its free after Jan .

Like Alfiesmum, we've given Ds's PPS number also, so I'm pretty certain that hey're doing it. We've a meeting this coming week about it so I'll let ye know what the outcome is.

Thanks for the replies. I guess our montessori have applied. I'm not sure they have DS's pps number though, so I'll check with them on Monday anyway. I'd hate to miss out!!

Thanks

M
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Hi Missie in my dd's preschool they had to send off all the kids date of birth and they were informed whether the child qualified or not. I didnt have to do anything, then I received a letter few months back to say that she qualified for the free preschool year.
Get on to the montessori to see if they have applied for him.

I applied on friday dd got letter home and i had to sign as to where i wanted it or not

My DD's montessori had a meeting about this last week and they have applied on parents behalf. Even though DD is eligible, I am not getting it as she will be in montessori for another year from Sept 2010 and you can only apply for one school year, IYKWIM.

R
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I only applied to the preschool & the teacher said she will let me know when she needs his pps number.She also told me that you must have childs name down for the free place before she sends off childrens details,anyone only applying in January will miss out & have to pay for the 1st term up to Easter !! She is also charging a top-up fee of E10.00 a week even though her normal fees are E55 a week for 2 hrs,no snacks are provided as children bring their own lunch.This E10 can't be paid to her directly every week but must be lodged in a lump sum into her account (Jan-Easter).The Gov have said they are allowed ask for this top-up but parents are under no obligation to pay it.

Thanks for the replies.

Well I asked the creche this morning, and they said they have applied behalf of all those of the relevant age, but have yet to receive confirmation from the gov. They think the govenment dept is really behind with the administration of the scheme and they are just hoping at this stage that everything will be in place by January. The owner of our creche works full-time with the county childcare committee, so is up to speed with everything, so I'm fairly confident that they will do all they can.

Tasha - we are being charged a top up too, but normal montessori charges are €75 per week. The top up is to cover the snack, observation reports, parent/teacher evenings. It was made clear to parents that they could opt out of all of these extras if they wished. It sounds like your montessori is profitering from the scheme.

M
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