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Family Centre Services

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Assessment Services

Safer Families Services

Dublin Safer Family Service

Early Childhood Development Service (ECDS)

We have six Early Childhood Development Service (ECDS) centres located in Ballyfermot, South West inner City, Inchicore, North Inner City and County Meath.

Our dedicated preschools provide early childhood care and education to children between two and six years. Our ECDS also provides support to parents and carers.

Early education is the first and most important step toward a successful, self-sufficient future for the children in our community. The focus of the work is to promote confident, social and inquisitive children in interacting with and exploring the environment and their world. School readiness is a strong indicator of long term learning success and our aim is to work with children and parents so that the child can begin school happy and confident having experienced a positive preschool environment. Children attending are provided with opportunities to express themselves through of play in a learning atmosphere of tolerance, respect and fun.

Child development is supported in numerous ways. Our Centres follow a HighScope curriculum within the Aistear framework and are Siolta accredited (the national quality framework for early years services). Our professionally trained staff use Child Observational Records which support the child’s development in confidence, competence and creativity throughout his or her placement. These assessments provide ongoing observation in developmental areas such as movement and music, maths and science, language and communication. Child development assessments lead to early detection of additional needs and appropriate plans for intervention and support for the child are made through onward referrals to appropriate services when required such as Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Assessment of need, etc.

As a professional organisation we work under best practice guidelines and legislation which strives to protect the rights and welfare of children.

Parents are supported and included through the provision of parenting programmes, educational talks, Parents Advisory Committees, family fun days, sports days and open days, Parent Toddler and Groups. Children attending our Centres receive a range of nutritionally healthy snacks throughout the day

See our ECDS leaflet here for more information. Find a Pre- School near you and contact us directly to get information on place allocations for your child.

St. Louise’s ECDS
1 Catherines Court, North William Street, Dublin 1. D001 W9H2
Ph: 01 8554035

M: 086 0353835

Manager: Fiona Hughes

St. Vincent’s ECDS
Ballyfermot Primary & Mental Health Care Campus,

Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10.

Ph: 01 626 8545
Manager: Aisling O'Brien

Goldenbridge ECDS
Off Emmet Cresent,

Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Ph: 01 453 7025
Manager: Paula Roantree

Tír na nÓg ECDS
Cameron Court, Cameron St. (off Cork St.), Dublin 8. D08NVX0
Ph: 01 453 7840
Manager: Pamela Wolfe

Mabuhay ECDS
Mosney Accommodation Centre, Laytown,

County Meath.
Ph: 041 981 1234
Manager: Sherry Lynne Swarres

St. Josephs ECDS

Morningstar Road,

Maryland,

Dublin 8.

Ph 01 4537891

Manager: Martha Harnett

Training

Staff are trained to deliver evidence based approaches such as:

• Circle of Security

• Capacitar

• Therapilar

• HighScope.

• Supporting Children through parental separation

• Sign of Safety

• Trauma focused CBT

Our staff contribute to a wide variety of groups and networks including:

• At Risk Teenage groups

• Wellness groups

• Youth Wellbeing Groups

• Strengthening Families group

• Family Support Network

• Help Stop Bullying

Staff training programmes also include counselling, psychotherapy, supervision, self harm (SPACE programme), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, Incredible Years, Working with Conflict, Family therapy, Hanen programme, Globe Capacity and Cultural Awareness.

How to Refer

Referrals to Family Centres

Our Family Centres take referrals directly from families. Professional services e.g. Health Nurse, GP, Hospitals, Schools, Community Groups etc. can refer on behalf of a family.

Our Family Centre Service is free of charge.

Find a Family Centre near you from the list underneath, download and complete and sign the Referral Form and email it back to the Centre or you can drop it directly into the Centre.

Referrals to Assessment Services

Our Assessment Centres in Kilbarrack and Santry only take referrals directly from Tusla Social Work Department.

Referrals to Dublin Safer Families Service

Our Dublin Safer Families Service in Santry only take referrals directly from Tusla Social Work Departments in Dublin North/ Dublin North City and Probation Services in Dublin North.

Referrals to Early Childhood Development Services

Our ECDS Centres take referrals directly from families. Professional services e.g. Health Nurse, GP, Hospitals, Schools, Community Groups etc. can refer on behalf of a family. Places are allocated to children by a selection committee made up by a number of professionals.

Fees vary per Centre.

Find an ECDS Centre near you from the list below, download, the Application Form here, complete and sign it and drop it into your nearest Centre.

ECCE Scheme

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. The scheme is offered in early years settings (pre-schools, Montessori’s, creches, playgroups) for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year.

What is the ECCE scheme?

The scheme is offered in early years settings (pre-schools, Montessori’s, creches, playgroups) for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year.

All children are entitled to 2 full academic years on the ECCE scheme.

Children are eligible to start the ECCE scheme in the September of the year that they turn 3 years old. For example, a child turning 3 years old in 2022 can be registered on the ECCE scheme in September 2022.

For more information or to check when your child is eligible check out the link.

Free Preschool Year - ECCE (childcare.ie)

The National Childcare Scheme

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a new scheme that provides financial support to help parents to meet the costs of childcare.

What is the NC Scheme?

The National Childcare Scheme provides 2 types of childcare subsidy for children over 6 months of age:

A universal subsidy for children under 3. Children over 3 who have not yet qualified for the ECCE are also eligible. It is not means tested.
An income-assessed subsidy for children up to 15. It is means tested.

You cannot get the Universal Subsidy and an income-assessed subsidy at the same time. However, you can choose which subsidy is of greatest benefit to you.

For more information check out the link

https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/