ECCE and Junior Infants Calculator
From your child's birth year and month: when free preschool (ECCE) starts and ends in Ireland, the earliest junior infants September, and when school is compulsory.
In Ireland a child can start the free ECCE preschool in the September after they turn 2 years 8 months, so a child born in 2023 starts in September 2026 and can stay until June 2028. Junior infants can start from age 4, and school is compulsory from 6.
ECCE and Junior Infants Calculator
Frequently asked
What age can a child start ECCE?
From the September when they are at least 2 years and 8 months old on 31 August. A child born in any month of 2023 can start in September 2026 and use both years, to June 2028.
How long does ECCE last?
Two programme years, each running from 1 September to 30 June, for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks a year. A child cannot be older than 5 years 6 months on 30 June of a programme year.
What age do children start junior infants in Ireland?
They can start from age 4 and most start at 5, in September. School becomes compulsory at 6. Individual schools set their own admission age in their admissions policy.
Can my child do ECCE and then start school at 5?
Yes. A child who uses both ECCE years finishes in June of the year they turn 5 and can start junior infants that September.
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