Please remember to undertake the following tasks for NCS:

• Update your NCS service calendar to reflect any changes to your opening hours. 
• Update your NCS service calendar with all planned closures noting that all service providers have 10 allowable subsidised closures per programme year.
• If you have previously ended claims ahead of an extended closure, please ensure to link in with parents/guardians and submit new claims to continue to receive funding, if necessary.
• Ensure that your NCS service calendar adheres to the programme rules, including the recent change to the hours of provision that are eligible for subsidies.

As per the 2025/2026 Funding Agreement and the announcement issued 17 July 2025, school-age childcare provided after 7pm on a working day (Monday to Friday) will no longer be eligible for NCS subsidies.

Furthermore, subsidies will no longer apply to school-age childcare provided at any time during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).

Please contact your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for further information.

For further information on service calendars, please see the guidance available on the Early Years Hive here.

Transport time:

If your service provides transport to and/or from your service and the children are in your care during this time.

Transport time can be included on your NCS claim however, the claimed hours must be within the opening hours of the service.