Preschool at Buttercup Childcare
Our Preschool service is available to children from 2 years and 8 months, offering 5 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 38 weeks of the year, in line with our school calendar. For children attending our Full Day Care or Part-Time service, preschool operates for 45 weeks of the year.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme provides two years of free preschool education and is an important foundation for your child’s early learning journey. These years help children develop confidence, independence, communication, social skills and a positive attitude towards learning, while supporting their transition to primary school.
At Buttercup Childcare, we believe children learn best when they are actively involved, curious and encouraged to explore. Our qualified Early Years Educators provide a balance of child-led play and meaningful learning experiences, allowing children to develop at their own pace through discovery, creativity and hands-on experiences.
ECCE enrolment
We accept children into our preschool service at two points during the year: September and January.
Children are eligible to start ECCE in September of the year they turn 2 years and 8 months, provided they meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements.
Example eligibility dates
Born between 1 January and 31 December 2024 – eligible to start 1 September 2027 and 1 September 2028.
Born between 1 January and 31 December 2025 – eligible to start 1 September 2028 and 1 September 2029.
Born between 1 January and 31 December 2026 – eligible to start 1 September 2029 and 1 September 2030.
Please check your child’s eligibility using the ECCE eligibility calculator from Limerick Childcare Committee.
Our preschool environment
Our ECCE classroom is designed to encourage choice, independence and discovery. Children can access a range of resources from open shelves and explore dedicated areas through a combination of structured experiences and free, play-based learning.
Activities include arts and crafts, messy and sensory play, cookery, imaginative play, music, movement and outdoor learning, giving children opportunities to develop their creativity, confidence, communication and social skills.
Enrolment and waiting list
Places are in high demand, so we recommend adding your child to our waiting list as early as possible.
A €100 registration deposit is required to secure an ECCE place. This deposit covers the two-year preschool period and is fully refundable in October once your child has taken up their place.
If you cancel your place, or your child does not take up their preschool place during the first week of the preschool year, the deposit is non-refundable.
Bookings are only confirmed once all required information and the deposit have been completed and returned to Buttercup Childcare.
Celebrating their preschool journey
At the end of their ECCE year, children celebrate their achievements with our special Buttercup Graduation Ceremony. With their families and educators there to share the occasion, children proudly receive their graduation scroll and celebrate this important milestone as they take their next step towards primary school.
It is a wonderful celebration of how far they have come, and of the exciting journey ahead.