Education
The education system in Ireland is made up of:
- early years education (pre-schools)
- primary education
- post-primary education (secondary schools)
Education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of 6 to 16 or until students have completed three years of post-primary education.
Early Years Education (pre-school)
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age.
Other than the ECCE, pre-school education is usually provided by privately funded childcare services. However, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents to meet the costs of private childcare.
Carlow Childcare Committee - For information on ECCE and childcare providers in County Carlow
Primary Education
Children do not have to attend school until the age of 6.
Usually, children start primary school when they are 5 years of age. They start in September - the beginning of the school year.
Post Primary Education
Made up of two stages: Junior Cycle (approx. age 12 -15) and Senior Cycle (approx. age 16-18).
For assistance in finding primary and secondary school places for your child, contact the Regional Education and Language Team (REALT) on 087 1344558 or email REALT@kcetb.ie
More information on enrolling your child in school:
- Primary School - Starting school
- Secondary School - Choosing a post-primary school
English Language
You can access English Language classes through the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) - Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
If you are a library member, you can also access online language learning resources through Transparent Language - Log In | Transparent Language Online
International Qualifications
Search the Foreign Qualifications Database of the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to compare your academic qualification to an Irish qualification.
Further Education and Training
Further Education and Training or FET, offers a wide variety of life-long education options to anyone over 16. FET includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services.
For more information on courses:
- Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
- Home - FET Course Hub
- FET Factsheet - FET Resources for Ukrainians in Ireland - ETBI Digital Library at Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI
Higher Education Institutions
These are institutes of technology and universities, and they charge fees for their courses.
There are financial supports available, but these may depend on nationality, immigration status and how long you have lived in Ireland or the EU.
Further information on education support for adults can be found here:
- Education - Irish Refugee Council
- Financial Supports for University in Ireland: A Guide for International Protection Applicants, Refugees and other Migrants
Childcare Support
Carlow County Childcare Committee provide support to parents in all aspects of childcare provision in Carlow including advice on choosing childcare, parent and toddler groups and accessing financial supports available.
Contact Tel: 059 914 0244, Email: info@carlowccc.ie
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with their early leaning and childcare costs, for more information visit their website - NCS
Further information