Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
Higher Capitation Rate Criteria
and
Application Process
CONTENTS
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
2. Criteria for the Higher Capitation Rate .......................................................................... 1
2.1
Staff Qualification Requirement ................................................................................. 1
2.1
Child:Staff Ratio Requirement ................................................................................... 2
3. How to determine if a qualification will be recognised for the purposes of the ECCE
Higher Capitation Rate. ................................................................................................. 2
4. ECCE Higher Capitation Rate Application Process ..................................................... 3
4.1 Application Process....................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Application Requirements ............................................................................................. 4
4.3 ECCE Higher Capitation Rate – Appeal Process........................................................... 5
Appendix 1: ECCE Higher Capitation Application Form ................................................... i
Appendix 2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) ........................................................... v
1. Introduction
Currently, it is a requirement of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme
that pre-school leaders in services participating in the programme, and who are receiving the
standard capitation, hold a qualification in child care which is equivalent to Level 5 on the
National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ).1
As part of the Early Years Quality Agenda, new qualification requirements for child care
workers are being introduced. All staff caring for children in an early years service will be
subject to a minimum qualification requirement of Level 5 or equivalent, while pre-school
leaders delivering the ECCE programme will require a Level 6 qualification.
Payment under the ECCE programme is by way of capitation fees which are paid directly to
the service provider. A capitation fee is payable in respect of each eligible child enrolled in
the free pre-school year, on a pro-rata basis if applicable.
A higher capitation rate is available to services participating in the ECCE programme in
which all pre-school leaders satisfy the minimum qualification requirements for the ECCE
Room Leader (Higher Capitation) as approved on the published list of DCYA Early Years
Recognised Qualifications and all pre-school assistants must satisfy the pending Preschool
Regulations Minimum Requirement.
The ECCE Higher Capitation rate must be applied for on an annual basis.
2. Criteria for the Higher Capitation Rate
For a childcare service to be approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate the following
criteria must apply to ALL ECCE rooms/sessions in the service.
2.1

Staff Qualification Requirement
All pre-school leaders must satisfy the minimum qualification requirements for the
ECCE Room Leader (Higher Capitation) as approved on the published list of DCYA
Early Years Recognised Qualifications and have at least three years’ experience
working in the early years sector.
1
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has published and list of DCYA Early Years
Recognised Qualifications for the purposes of meeting the pending minimum regulatory
qualification requirements and the contractual requirements of the DCYA Childcare Funding
Programme.
1

All pre-school assistants must satisfy the pending Preschool Regulations Minimum
Requirement.
2.1
Child:Staff Ratio Requirement
Services must ensure that they have enough appropriately qualified staff present for
each ECCE session to cover the amount of children present at that time.
Minimum numbers of required preschool leaders and assistants for Higher Capitation
purposes:
1 to 11 children per session
at least 1 pre-school leader in the room at all times
12 to 22 children per session
at least 1 pre-school leader and 1 pre-school assistant
in the room at all times
23 to 33 children per session
at least 2 pre-school leaders and 1 pre-school assistant
in the room at all times
34 to 44 children per session
at least 2 pre-school leaders and 2 pre-school assistants
in the room at all times
And so on……
The ratios apply to all children present during an ECCE session (not just ECCE
registered children).
Please note: Services who do not have the required ratio of qualified staff will be deemed
non-compliant with the criteria for receipt of the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate and the DCYA
will take action to retrieve any monies that have been considered overpaid to the service.
3. How to determine if a qualification will be recognised for the
purposes of the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate.
Please refer to the Early Years (Pre-school) Regulations and DCYA Childcare Programmes
Qualification Requirements and DCYA Qualifications Recognition Application document and
the list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications for details.
In preparing the list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications all decisions on the
acceptability of these qualifications have been reviewed against a set of criteria including
core knowledge and skills identified as essential for practice in Early Years settings. As a
result of this review, qualifications previously deemed acceptable2 by the Department
2
Where a service was approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate in 2014/15 based on a specific
qualification that is not on the published list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications and after
assessment through the DCYA Qualifications Recognition Application Process is not approved, that service
will be provided with a grace period of two years to continue to receive the Higher Capitation Rate while
2
of Children and Youth Affairs, for the purposes of the ECCE Programme, may not
continue to be acceptable for the purposes of the new Regulations or the DCYA
Childcare Programmes Contracts.
Early Years Service Provider applying for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate must satisfy
themselves that each relevant staff member has the required recognised qualification by:
1. Identifying the qualification as one published on the list of DCYA Early Years Recognised
Qualifications and holding a copy of the qualification certificate.
or
2. Where the staff member’s qualification is not published on the list of DCYA Early Years
Recognised Qualifications but the holder considers it to be an appropriate Major Award at
Level 5 on the NFQ or equivalent, ask the staff member to apply to have the qualification
recognised through the DCYA Early Years Qualifications Recognition Application Process.
4. ECCE Higher Capitation Rate Application Process
4.1 The Application Process
Service Providers must apply to maintain the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate for their service
on an annual basis.
Where a service was in receipt of the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate in the previous
year this rate will remain in place until such time as the application to maintain the rate is
processed. At this point, if the application is declined, the service will be requested to return
any monies that have been considered overpaid to the service. Therefore, services should
not assume that the provision of the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate into the following
programme year is guaranteed income until such time as the application for the year in
question has been fully approved.
Where a service provider is applying for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate for the first time or
after a gap of receipt of the capitation for one year, the service will remain on the ECCE
Standard Capitation Rate until such time as the application has been approved. Once
approved, any monies owed to the service provider will be back-dated.
making arrangements to up-skill to the required qualification level. This applies to the Room Leader
Qualification for Higher Capitation only and all staff must meet the minimum Regulation
requirements.
3
4.2 Application Requirements
1. Complete the ECCE Higher Capitation Application Form for the current ECCE
Programme year (Appendix 1);
2. Attach a copy of each staff member’s qualification as recognised on the published list
of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications. Please do not send in original
qualification documents as the Department cannot take responsibility for
returning original documents to applicants;
3. Where a qualification(s) has been submitted for recognition through the DCYA Early
Years Recognition Application Process attach a copy of the letter(s) of receipt of this
application (with the unique reference number)
4. If the qualification certificate does not identify the subject field of the course, please
provide evidence from the education provider showing what field and subject the
qualification has been granted in (e.g. a copy of the transcript of the final results);
Foreign documentation must have a certified translation to English before
submission.
5. It must be clear that the staff/child ratio is met fully.
Please Note: The DCYA reserves the right to request further supporting documentation to
assist in the appraisal process.
N.B. Failure to submit all application requirements in full may lead to your application being
rejected and a requirement to start the application process again.
Completed applications can be submitted via email to: eccehighercap@dcya.gov.ie or by
post to:
FREEPOST F5055
ECCE Higher Capitation
Early Years Policies and Programmes
Department of Children and Youth Affairs,
43-49 Mespil Road,
Dublin 4.
D04YP52
4
4.3 ECCE Higher Capitation Rate – Appeal Process
Service Provider’s who wish to appeal a decision made in relation to the receipt of Higher
Capitation for their service may submit any additional documentation that they feel supports
their application for the Higher Capitation rate along with an accompanying rationale
supporting the appeal to:
FREEPOST F5055
ECCE Higher Capitation
Early Years Policies and Programmes
Department of Children and Youth Affairs,
43-49 Mespil Road,
Dublin 4.
D04YP52
5
Appendix 1: ECCE Higher Capitation Application Form
Sept 2015 – June 2016
APPLICATION FOR ECCE HIGHER CAPITATION
Higher Capitation is only granted to services on an annual basis and is applied for one year only. Failure to reapply for the higher capitation rate will result in
your service reverting to the standard rate from September 2015.
All services who consider themselves eligible for the higher capitation rate must complete and return this form by the end of October 2015.
Name of Service:
Service DCYA Reference Number:
Service Address:
Contact telephone/mobile
number:
Declaration
I, _________________________________________ (grantee) wish to apply for the ECCE Higher Capitation rate with effect from _____/_____/_____ (date)
and declare that the information provided in this application is accurate.
Please tick as appropriate:
1. New application 
2. Renewal application – No change in circumstances from Sept 14/15 
3. Renewal application – Changes from Sept 14/15
(a)New Leader/Assistant

(b)More children

4. IMEB member 
i
ECCE Provision Details:
Room
No.
Start Time
Finish Time
Total children in
room
No. of ECCE
children in room
No. of Pre-school
Leaders per room
No. of Assistants
per room
1
2
3
Mandatory Evidence to be provided
Please complete the information below for all staff members working directly with the children under the ECCE programme. A copy of the qualifications for
each member of staff must be submitted along with this application (see Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Higher Capitation Rate
Criteria and Application Process for details). Where a qualification(s) has been submitted for recognition through the DCYA Early Years Recognition
Application Process attach a copy of the letter(s) of receipt of this application (with the unique reference number)
For a childcare service to be approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate the following criteria applies. All ECCE rooms/sessions must have pre-school
leaders who satisfy the minimum qualification requirements for the ECCE Room Leader (Higher Capitation) as approved on the published list of DCYA Early
Years Recognised Qualifications; pre-school assistants who satisfy the pending Preschool Regulations Minimum Requirement and the appropriate qualified
staff present for each ECCE session in accordance with the ECCE child:staff ratio requirement .
Room 1
Staff Name
Leader/Assistant
Title/Subject of Award
Training Provider
Award
Body
Year
Years’
experience
ii
Room 2
Staff Name
Leader/Assistant
Title/Subject of Award
Training Provider
Award
Body
Year
Years’
experience
Staff Name
Leader/Assistant
Title/Subject of Award
Training Provider
Award
Body
Year
Years’
experience
Room 3
Ratio Requirements
Minimum numbers of required preschool leaders and assistants for ECCE Higher Capitation purposes:
1 to 11 children per session
at least 1 pre-school leader in the room at all times
12 to 22 children per session
at least 1 pre-school leader and 1 pre-school assistant in the room at all times
23 to 33 children per session
at least 2 pre-school leaders and 1 pre-school assistant in the room at all times
34 to 44 children per session
at least 2 pre-school leaders and 2 pre-school assistants in the room at all times
And so on……
iii
Please Note: The DCYA reserves the right to request further supporting documentation to assist in the appraisal process.
N.B. Failure to submit all application requirements in full may lead to your application being rejected and a requirement to start the application
process again.
IMPORTANT: Change of circumstances
If a staff member leaves or is replaced the DCYA must be informed in writing immediately to check if the ECCE Higher Capitation rate is still applicable.
Increases in child numbers can affect entitlement to the Higher Capitation. (See ratio requirements above)
Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of Higher Capitation may result in the Higher Capitation rate being removed from your service immediately
and the overpayment being recovered.
Name of Owner/ Chairperson ___________________________________________________________________________
(BLOCK CAPITALS)
Signed by Owner/Chairperson __________________________________________________________ Date _____/______/________
Completed applications can be submitted via email to: eccehighercap@dcya.gov.ie or by post to:
FREEPOST F5055
ECCE Higher Capitation
Early Years Policies and Programmes
Department of Children and Youth Affairs,
43-49 Mespil Road,
Dublin 4.
D04YP52
iv
Appendix 2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
I was approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation rate last year, why do I have to
apply again?
The Higher Capitation rate is granted on an annual basis only. As the number children can vary from
year to year, this affects the ratio requirement for qualified staff and needs to be examined for each
ECCE term. Also, as services employ new staff, their details and qualifications need to be submitted
for examination. The terms and conditions for the Higher Capitation rate are subject to change as the
ECCE Programme develops in accordance with the Early Years Quality Agenda.
I was approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate before, why is my
qualification no longer deemed as satisfying the requirements?
The approach to assessing the qualifications has changed, with a stricter approach being taken. This
means that the qualifications previously approved by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs,
for the purposes of the ECCE Programme, may not be recognised3 under the new Regulations or the
DCYA Childcare Programmes Contracts.
The application for ECCE Higher Capitation Rate is an annual process. The DCYA supports the ongoing quality development of the Early Years Sector sector and therefore may refine the criteria for
the receipt of the ECCE Higher Capitation in line with policy developments .
My qualification is a Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of
Qualifications (NFQ), why am I not suitable for the Higher Capitation rate?
The DCYA convened an Advisory Group in 2011, drawn from the Irish Universities Association, the
Institutes of Technology Ireland and QQI (then the NQAI) to provide advice on what disciplines
equipped graduates with the skills and competences to work in the Early Years sector.
The determination of the relevance of a discipline is established by the examination of the content of
the programme of learning which led to the qualification. This must contain the following elements:
Child Development Birth to six years, Early Childhood Learning Theory and Practice, Child Health and
Welfare 0-6 years. The programme must also have contained a significant supervised practicum in
relevant early childhood care and education settings.
The Advisory Group were unanimous that the only relevant discipline which fully complies with
required content is Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The Advisory Group also concluded
that where a graduate in a different discipline (whether at Level 7, 8, 9 or 10 on the NFQ) also has
qualifications in ECCE at Levels 5 and 6 (or equivalent) on the NFQ, this is not considered equivalent
to a Level 7 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
3
Where a service was approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate in 2014/15 based on a specific
qualification that is not on the published list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications and after
assessment through the DCYA Qualifications Recognition Application Process is not approved, that service
will be provided with a grace period of two years to continue to receive the Higher Capitation Rate while
making arrangements to up-skill to the required qualification level. This applies to the Room Leader
Qualification for Higher Capitation only and all staff must meet the minimum Regulation requirements.
v