These are the information, deadlines, and announcements for the week of 24th – 28th March 2025.
DEADLINESS / IMPORTANT DATES:
28th March 2025 TODAY
Deadline for Parent & Toddler Group Grant applications
31st March 2025 @12pm
Final date for survey submission on Experiences of ELCs Supporting Ukrainian Families
4th April 2025
Deadline for Childminding Development Grant 2025
7th April 2025
EOI to attend Aistear National conference
1st May 2025
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund application process closes
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
National Aistear Conference
DCEDIY will host a national Aistear Conference on May 24th, 2025, from 10am to 4pm at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. This National Early Years Conference will provide a forum for educators, policy makers, academics, students and support organisations to collaboratively explore the updates, new concepts and key messages within the updated Aistear. In partnership with DCEDIY, Westmeath County Childcare Committee is pleased to offer the following opportunity to Early Years Educators and Childminders in the county.
| 1. Entrance tickets to the event, which will include lunch and a conference bag containing a copy of the updated Aistear and other resources. |
| 2. Transportation to the event. |
| 3. A certificate of attendance, which will support your service’s QIPP 2025. |
Please note, that places are limited to 10, and random selection will apply.
If you are interested in attending the conference, please email info@westmeathchildcare.ie including the following information:
| Your name | |
| The name of your service | |
| Your role | |
| Your email address |
Parent and Toddler Group Grant
Applications are currently being accepted for the Parent & Toddler Group Grant 2025. The grant is available to existing not-for-profit groups who provide informal support to all families and involve the participation of parents/guardians in the community. The closing date for applications is 28th March 2025. For further information or to request an application form, contact grants@westmeathchildcare.ie or 0449335454
Survey: Experiences of ELC services in supporting Ukrainian Families Displaced by Conflict
Early Learning and Care (ELC) services across Ireland are invited to take part in a short survey exploring experiences in supporting Ukrainian families displaced by conflict. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. The final date for responses is 31st March at 12.00pm. Your experience and insight of the process will be greatly appreciated. You can access the survey here: ELC Survey
Childminding Development Grant 2025
The Childminding Development Grant 2025 is currently open for applications. All current childminders and childminders planning to open in 2025 are eligible to apply. The grant aims to enhance quality and safety in childminding services and allows for the purchasing of IT equipment to assist with training and Tusla registration processes later in the year. For further information or to receive an application form, contact childminding@westmeathchildcare.ie or 0449335454.
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2025 2026
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is now open to applicants for the academic year 2025/2026. NSLF is continuing, as a pilot phase, and will support Early Years Educators working in a Partner Service to undertake approved ELC Level 7/ 8 courses while they continue to work within the sector. NSLF will cover 90% of the course fees for successful applicants. Information on the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund can be found here. Applicants should contact NSLF@pobal.ie to request a link to register on the NSLF Student Portal, upload their employment details and complete the new application process. The application process closes on 1st May 2025.
EC STEM project – request for support
OUTSTE(A)M is an exciting STEM project which aims to provide high quality STEM education in Early Childhood Education & /Care settings and primary schools using a play-based hands-on learning approach in the outdoors. OUTSTE(A)M are seeking educator opinions about their draft materials before they are released to the public. If you are interested in reviewing the materials then click on this link to complete the anonymous online questionnaire.
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Events and Information sessions
Communities of Practice Invitation!!!
Westmeath Co Childcare Committee Facilitate Two Communities of Professional Practice.
1.Managers of early years services
2. School age services (stand alone and combined services)
Educators come together to collaborate, reflect and keep abreast of new developments with focus always being on quality. It also supports providers with their QIPP requirements and best-practice in the ELC and SAC sector.
We are a group of educators connected by a shared passion to provide quality experiences for all children. We share ideas and practices to inspire and motivate each other.
We explore everyday challenges and help each other by sharing knowledge and experiences as we develop relationships based on respect, trust and openness.
Benefits of joining our community of professional practice.
.QIPP requirements
· Help with everyday challenges
· Gain confidence
· Fun with colleagues
· Meaningful Participation
· Sense of belonging
· Networking opportunities
· Enhanced communication skills
· Develop personally and professionally.
· Expand skills and expertise.
Please e-mail scleary@westmeathchildcare.ie if you have any further questions.
AIM – Information session Service Providers
Westmeath & Longford County Childcare Committees together with Better Start will host an on-line information session for service providers interested in finding out about the AIM Programme on Wednesday 30th April 2025. Please see the attached poster for booking information. Bookings through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1272180579359?aff=oddtdtcreator
AIM – Information session for Parents
Westmeath & Longford County Childcare Committees together with Better Start will host an online information session for parents interested in finding out about the AIM programme. The session will take place on Wednesday 7th May @ 7pm. Please share the attached poster with parents of children attending your service. Booking through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1272192645449?aff=oddtdtcreator
Please share event below with existing and new parents.
Free Membership of Barnardos Online Library
Barnardos are delighted to invite early years providers, school age childcare providers and childminders to register for free membership to their online library.
Contact Barnardos Library (resources@barnardos.ie) for more information, or register for free membership HERE
Covid Case Advice
Please see below links to relevant information: Preventing the spread of covid 19 in school or childcare – HSE & Pre_School_ManagementInfectiousDisease.pdf
General Covid-19 queries: Contact HSE on 1800 700 700 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday / HSE Covid-19
