ECCE Optional Extras 2026/2027

One of the core principles of ECCE is that ECCE is free of charge for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over a 38-week period to all Parents/Guardians. Therefore, the Department would prefer that ECCE Approved Providers keep optional extra items for children attending ECCE to an absolute minimum and recommend that ECCE Approved Providers arrange for charged activities to occur outside the 3 hours of the ECCE Programme.

With the exception of ‘sessional only’ services, no additional time (outside of the 3 hours 30 minutes) may be included as an optional extra.

It is imperative that no child should ever feel excluded if they are not participating in an optional extra activity. No additional activity should be held in a manner that would leave non-participating children feeling excluded.

Charging for items which would be expected to be part of a preschool service (e.g. arts and craft materials) is not permitted. Similarly, it is not permitted for services to make payment of approved optional extra(s) a criterion for admission to the ECCE service, or to combine a list of optional extras into a single option on the Fee Table. Any optional extras must be individually optional, and this requires an individualised charge for each allowable optional extra.

Where an optional extra happens during an ECCE session, children not attending the optional activity must have a full content-based session, and the required child-to-adult ratio must be maintained for children taking part in the optional extra as well as those not participating.

If a family no longer want an optional extra previously agreed to, they must be allowed withdraw from it. While notice may be required for such withdrawal, it must not exceed 4 weeks.

The Department reserves the right to amend the approved optional extras list below. For further information on optional extras ECCE Approved Providers should contact the CCCs.

(Many of these will be provided by the ECCE Approved Provider free of charge):

• Food (children must also have the option of bringing their own snack/lunch instead).
• ‘Interactive Play and Exploration’ type classes/events (where outside providers deliver holistic child development fostering physical, cognitive and social skills in a supportive and engaging environment).
• Nappies/pull-ups (where applicable).
• Baking (where this is a regular part of the programme).
• 30 additional minutes (sessional services only)[1].
• One paid preschool trip (entry fees, cost of transportation).

No optional extra(s) outside of this list are allowed.

[1] An ECCE Approved Provider who provides a sessional preschool service and does not offer part-time/full-time childcare, may offer a maximum additional 30 minutes per day as an optional extra.