Parent & Toddler Group Initiative Grants 2025
Information on grants available:
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2024 Parent and Toddler (P&T) Grant. This Grant scheme will be administered by Kildare County Childcare Committee for county Kildare.
Applications for funding under this scheme should only be made by P&T Groups that are organised on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents/guardians to include recently arrived parents and children from other countries in the community. Grants will normally range from €100 to a total maximum of €1,300.
- New start up groups may apply for a grant of up to €1,000
- Existing P&T Groups can apply for up to €800.
There is also a maximum of €300 available to operate/establish Buggy Walking Group.
Groups are advised to contact their Kildare CCC for further information in respect to this additional funding option (as the maximum allowable funding is €1,300; new groups who are applying for €1,000 are eligible to apply for this additional amount).
Application forms can be acquired from your local CCC.
Funding will be available for:
- Toys, equipment, and books for indoor and outdoor activities, including children’s refreshments. All toys should have the CE safety mark.
- Children refreshments and snacks. Food allergies should be considered when buying refreshments for the group. Please avoid fizzy drinks, sweets, and unhealthy snacks.
- Cleaning supplies, e.g. hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes/spray, etc.
- Storage for equipment.
- Certified first aid kit.
- Training for parents/guardians, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, and facilitated sessions.
- Promotional leaflets, including any required translations.
- Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music.
- Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 50% of total funding for existing groups that are part of a larger organisation e.g. a Family Resource Centre, etc. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 50% of total funding.
- Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 60% of total funding for standalone groups not part of a larger organisation. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 60% of total funding.
- Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new groups. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 70% of total funding.
- An amount of up to €300 is available for the establishment of Buggy Walking Groups. It is envisaged that these groups, once established, will involve groups of parents/guardians and children meeting for organised walks on a regular basis (a minimum of 6 walking sessions) in their local community
- Funding awarded to Buggy Walking Groups is not eligible to be spent on rent.
Funding will not be available for:
- Groups operating out of private homes.
- Once-off events such as outings, parties, and trips.
- P&T Groups with a closing balance of €3,000 or more in the previous year (except where a P&T Group can provide a signed declaration that the funding available to the P&T Group is under €3,000).
- Groups who received funding in previous years and did not return the Progress Report and receipts for items purchased.
Additional Information:
- P&T Groups should have a Bank Account/Credit Union or Post Office Account. The money taken at each session, any grants received by the group, or money received from fundraising should be paid into the account. Spending on the group’s behalf should be paid for by cheque/draft or electronic means. All transactions involving the group’s money should be recorded and all receipts kept.
- Applications from P&T Groups will only be accepted from groups known to their local CCC. New groups should arrange to meet a CCC staff representative prior to application deadline. (by emailing info@kccc.ie)
- Existing P&T Groups must submit evidence of appropriate insurance with their application. New P&T Groups should submit evidence of insurance within the first month of receiving the grant
The Closing Date for Receipt of Applications to Kildare County Childcare Committee is: COB Friday 28th March.
Applications can be posted to: Parent & Toddler Grant Applications 2025, Kildare County Childcare Committee, Unit 21 Thompson Enterprise Centre, Clane Business Park, Clane, Co. Kildare W91 E6NY
Applications can also be emailed to: info@kccc.ie
All queries and questions on the Parent & Toddler Grant 2024 can be directed to info@kccc.ie
You can download the following documents to help you with your application:
Parent and Toddler Application Form 2025
Parent and Toddler Grant Guidelines 2025
Data Protection Declaration 2025
Annual Income and Expenditure Account