Did you know? Our programmes are NCS eligible.

We're here to help with your application… Our Before, After School, and Holiday Programmes are tailored to meet the needs of families across Ireland, providing enriching experiences that extend beyond the school curriculum. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a government programme designed to provide financial support to families for childcare costs and early learning. Since 2019, we have helped thousands of families apply for the National Childcare Scheme, supporting subsidised fees per hour off their bills.

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National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

Updated NCS Rates 2024

Minister Roderic O'Gorman has introduced a new rate as part of the Budget 2024 measures, increasing the minimum NCS subsidy rate from €1.40 to €2.14. This means parents can now receive a higher subsidy towards their childcare fees for the upcoming academic year. From September 2024, each child will be entitled to a minimum of €2.14 per hour deducted from their childcare bill (this is a non-means-tested rate) and up to €3.75 per hour (means-tested).

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Sample Fees

View our Sample Fees table with the new rates for our 90 services across Ireland. This guide, provided by the government, may not cover all income levels, as each family's situation can vary.

View Sample Fees

Childcare Subsidy calculator and Application Support

Use the childcare subsidy calculator to understand new child care rates and fees and discover how you can apply for the NCS.

Childcare Subsidy Calculator

Before your NCS application – you can check your eligibility and calculate your individual subsidy online. This will enable you to see how much subsidy you will be eligible to receive.

Calculate your subsidy

Start your NCS Application

To start your NCS application you will need your MyGovID account to hand. If you don’t have a MyGovdID account or you don’t have access to this – you’ll need to create and/or verify your account via the government the government website. For this, you will need to have: Your PPS (Personal Public Service) number, your Public Services Card and your mobile phone number.

Start your application

Checking your Application through the HIVE Portal

If you are eligible for the NCS subsidy and your application has been processed, you will be notified by the amount you are eligible for and receive a unique “CHICK CODE” on the HIVE portal. Access your HIVE portal via link below.

Access your HIVE account

Making a Booking with NCS

Once you've completed your application and received all necessary details in your HIVE portal, you can seamlessly apply your NCS subsidy to your Sherpa Kids booking. To do this, follow the below steps at the Make a Booking stage, or for a detailed step-by-step guide on adding NCS to your booking, click the button below.

Book Now View guide

NCS Booking Steps

Select the option to apply NCS.
Enter the following details, which can be found in your HIVE portal:
Child’s first and last name
Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK code)
Award per hour
Awarded hours
Start and end of the validity period

New to Sherpa Kids?

Our passionate team of Garda-vetted, professionally trained staff are ready to welcome your child and immerse them in an exciting world of new opportunities. Find out more about Sherpa Kids and how to register your child in our Before, After School & Holiday Programmes today!

Get started today

Booking Support

Ready to make your first booking? Simply find your local venue and select your desired dates. Our help guides, including step-by-step instructions for booking and registering your child, are available on our Booking Support Page below.

Booking Support NCS Fact Sheet

Questions? We're here to help.

Navigating the NCS scheme may sound daunting and you may have some burning questions. We’ve put together some of our FAQs and answered them right here for your convenience. If you can't find exactly what you’re looking for, our ‘contact us’ page below will connect you with our customer experience team, where someone will be happy to help.

See all FAQs

Yes, all our services are Tusla-registered, making them eligible for NCS subsidies of up to €3.75 per hour for children aged 4-15. The exact subsidy depends on your NCS application.
For assistance, contact your Programme Coordinator or visit our online guide: https://www.sherpakids.ie/parent-support/national-childcare-scheme-ncs/
Universal Subsidy: This subsidy is available to all working parents (training and studying are considered work) is not means-tested. It provides a fixed amount per hour of childcare and is applicable to children aged between 6 months (24 weeks) and 15 years.
Income-Assessed Subsidy: This subsidy is means-tested and available to families with an annual reckonable income of up to €60,000. The amount of subsidy is based on the family's income, the age of the child, and their educational stage. You cannot get both at the same time, but if you fit in the two options you can choose which one suits best your family.
Enhanced Hours Subsidy: If you (and your partner, if applicable) are working, studying, or training, you are eligible for up to 45 hours of subsidised childcare per week. This means that you can receive financial support for up to 45 hours of childcare services during that week.
Standard Hours Subsidy: If you (and your partner, if applicable) are not working, studying, or training, you can still qualify for subsidised childcare. In this case, you are entitled to up to 20 hours of subsidised childcare per week. This means that you can receive financial support for up to 20 hours of childcare services during that week.

Need further assistance with your NCS application?

If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our programme coordinators directly in schools or send us an email at: kinsaleaccounts@sherpakids.ie. The government also provides support through the National Childcare Scheme. If you need further information, please feel free to contact their support line on 01-906-8530.

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