These are the information, deadlines, and announcements for the week of 19th – 23th May 2025.
DEADLINE / IMPORTANT DATES:
6th May 2025: Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 4, Level 5 and Level 7 standard applications for the 2025/2026 programme opened
1st June 2025: Deadline for submission of new applications to Tusla – Proposed New Service Applications
3rd June 2025: 2024/2025 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey has been extended. The survey will now close at 5pm on Tuesday, 3 June
1st July 2025: Deadline for submission for Tusla Change in Circumstance
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Access & Inclusion Model (AIM)
Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 4, Level 5 and Level 7 standardinitial and Review & Confirm applications for the 2025/2026 programme year are open.
AIM Level 7 Plus and Non-term applications for the 2025/26 programme call will open mid-summer.
Services are reminded to submit any relevant AIM application at least three months prior to a child’s planned start date in ECCE.
For further support, please see the Better Start / AIM – Service Provider Portal
AIM non-term 2024/2025
Please submit your AIM Non-term 2024/2025 applications for the summer months on the Early Years Hive as soon as possible.
If you have already submitted the applications and did not include the required summer dates, please submit a ‘change of circumstance’ review to add the relevant dates.
A guide on submitting a change of circumstances review can be found here.
Attendance of children in receipt of AIM support
For AIM Level 7 Standard, a service provider must adhere to the rules for absence or under-attendance, as set out in the ECCE rules. In line with these rules, Pobal must be informed through a
Prolonged Absence Review if an AIM child has been absent for a period of 4 or more consecutive weeks.
The AIM Programme Rules for 2024/25 are available on the Early Years Hive here.
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Unannounced onsite compliance visits will be commencing for Partner Services in Core Funding 2024/2025 in June 2025.
The compliance checks are aimed at confirming adherence with Core Funding programme rules and Funding Agreement conditions as set out by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE).
These visits will focus on the area of the Graduate Lead Educator Premium linked to the most recent Core Funding Application information.
The checks are being introduced to confirm that Partner Services most recent Core Funding Application is up to date.
To ensure the compliance checks can be conducted at unannounced inspections, please ensure that the following details are on file and accessible to present to the Visit Officer for review:
- Staff attendance records for each room, where there is an assigned Graduate Lead Educator and a Graduate Premium being received, must be maintained from the start of the 2024/2025 programme call.
- It should also be noted that Partner Services are required to hold staff records which clearly shows the dates worked, attendance start and end times and hours worked of each staff member.
We want to take this opportunity to thank services in advance for your continued co-operation with compliance checks.
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NSLF eligibility confirmation for continuing students training invite
Continuing Students: existing students who successfully received NSLF funding for Academic Year 2024/2025 and wish to continue to receive funding for NSLF for Academic Year 2025/2026.
Dear Service Provider/Student,
You and your staff are invited to attend training on the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) eligibility confirmation for continuing students.
The sessions will be held on 27 and 28 May 2025, as applications for the NSLF for the academic year 2025/2026 will open shortly. Sessions will last for approximately 30 minutes.
As part of this training, we will be demonstrating the following:
- Continuing with the NSLF
- Completing the Employment Record
- Demonstration of the NSLF Portal
*Please note: Each session will cover the same training content.
Please see below the links to register with Microsoft Teams:
NSLF registrations for existing students session one: 27 May 2025 at 10.30am
NSLF registrations for existing students session two: 28 May 2025 at 2.30pm
NSLF registrations for existing students session three: 28 May 2025 at 6.30pm
A recording of one of the webinars will be made available on the Early Years Hive and the NSLF Student Portal along with the PowerPoint slides once the training has been completed.
We kindly ask that questions asked on the day are kept to the topic of the NSLF Programme.
Please ensure all staff are made aware of this training and the relevant times.
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New Applications and Change in Circumstances 2025
Proposed New Service Applications
All potential early years and school age care service providers must submit a complete application at least 3 months before intending to commence operation of an early years or school aged care service.
Fully completed applications (which includes the submission of all required documentation) for proposed new services that are submitted before 01st June 2025 will be approved for opening in September 2025.
Applications submitted after this date are unlikely to be approved in time for a September opening date.
All new applications for preschool settings currently require a fit for purpose inspection and time taken to complete same. This should be factored into your preparation.
Change in Circumstance Applications
In accordance with the Regulations, a Registered Provider must submit a complete change in circumstance application at least 60 days in advance of the proposed change.
Fully completed applications (which includes the submission of all required documentation) for change in circumstances that are submitted before 01st July 2025 will be approved for operation in September 2025.
Applications submitted after this date are unlikely to be approved in time for the beginning of the new academic year.
Please note that some categories of change requests such as change of service type to part time or full day, change of address and increase of numbers may require a fit for purpose inspection and time taken to complete same.
This should be factored into your preparations.
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Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25
The 2024/2025 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey has opened. The survey has been extended until 3rd June 2025 and can be accessed through the Early Years Hive Here.
Please ensure your Service Profile has been updated on the Early Years Hive.
This ensures that the most up to date information is included in the data collected for the survey.
All services are encouraged to complete the survey; however, completing this year’s survey within the open window is mandatory for all existing Core Funding Partner Services.
Services wishing to become a Core Funding Partner Service in the future must also complete the survey before submitting their Core Funding application.
For more information and support, please go to AEYSP Survey – Service Provider Portal.
FAQs are also available on the Early Years Hive on the Cross Programme – Documents page (here).
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Better Start Quality Development Service Information Webinar
The Better Start Team work in a mentoring capacity with Early Learning and Care settings to support the implementation of the National Frameworks Síolta and Aistear.
Register today to secure your place at their next webinar: Better Start Quality Development Information Session. This will take place online on May 27th from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
You’ll have the chance to connect with team members and explore the mentoring options available for your setting.
Visit the Better Start Website Training and Events or click on this link to register.
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New Garda Vetting procedures
Since February 1st 2025, New Garda Vetting procedures for ELC and SAC services have been implemented. The following changes will take effect:
• Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) will manage Garda Vetting services for all ELC & SAC employees. Membership with ECI is not a requirement to avail of vetting services.
• Tusla will manage Garda Vetting services for registered providers including Chairpersons of Boards of Management and Childminders.
• As part of these changes, Barnardos will no longer provide vetting services.
More detailed information on the new Garda Vetting procedures can be found on the gov.ie website HERE.
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My Little Library 2025
My Little Library 2025 information is attached. Please share this information with families using your service.
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Upcoming Training Courses and Events
Are you having difficulty finding suitably qualified staff to fill your vacancies?
Join us on Tuesday 10th of June at 10.30pm to find out how the FREE EU recruitment service provided by EURES Ireland, which is part of the Department of Social Protection, can help you.
Not only can we help you to find well qualified candidates in other EU countries, but EURES also has access to funding to assist them to relocate to take up a job offer in Ireland.
The Department of Social Protection also has a range of services and financial supports available to employers recruiting candidates living in Ireland.
Register here for this free team’s event to find out more.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1372883504519?aff=oddtdtcreator
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- Creating Connections with Parents… Working Better Together
- June 10th at 7pm
- Book your place here: June 10th 2025
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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
As we head into the summer months, it’s a great time to refresh our awareness around water safety for young children.
Hold Hands is a child-focused campaign created by Water Safety Ireland to help parents and carers keep children safe in and around water.
With videos, tips and reminders, it highlights the importance of staying close, paying attention, and always holding hands near water.
Whether it’s bath time, paddling pools or seaside adventures, a little awareness goes a long way.
Explore the campaign: https://www.holdhands.ie/
