DEADLINE / IMPORTANT DATES:
9th & 10th June 2025:
Programme Readiness 2025 Webinar with Pobal
27th June 2025:
Deadline for AIM applications for the 2024/25 programme call
1st July 2025:
Deadline for submission for Tusla Change in Circumstance
31st July 2025
QIP end of Year report deadline
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Programme Readiness 2025 Training
Programme Readiness 2025 opening dates below:
ECCE, CCSP and NCS: 6 June 2025
Core Funding: 9 June 2025
You are invited to attend training on Programme Readiness 2025. The sessions will be held on 9 June 2025 at 10.30am and 10 June 2025 at 2.30pm.
Please register in advance using the links below for the session that you would like to attend:
Session 1: Monday 9 June 2025 at 10.30am
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/…/2f873c6a-7881-4bef…
Session 2: Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 2.30pm
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/…/5eae9197-aae5-4892…
The training sessions will provide an overview of the following:
Programme Readiness Changes for 2025/26
Key points, dates and changes
-Fee Table
-Parent Statement
-Core Funding
-ECCE
-Resources
-Q&A’s
We will also show a demo of the key features of the Early Years Hive where applicable.
We kindly ask that questions on the day are kept to the topics that are listed above.
Please forward this invite to any of your team who may be interested in attending this training.
A recording of this training will be made available for anyone who is unable to attend on the day.
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AIM applications for the 2024/25 programme call
The ECCE 2024/25 programme call is closing.
Please ensure all AIM applications are submitted prior to the closure of ECCE, as applications submitted after the closure will not be processed.
- AIM Non-term over the summer period, please ensure an AIM Non-term application is submitted before the programme call closure and outline dates in which AIM Non-term support is required.
- If you have already submitted an AIM Non-term application and did not include the required summer dates, please submit a ‘Change of Circumstances’ review to add the relevant dates.
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Core Funding compliance visits 2025
Core Funding 2024/2025 compliance visits for Partner Services will begin in June 2025.
These unannounced visits will focus on the Graduate Lead Educator Premium in relation to the most recent Core Funding Application information.
The purpose of these checks is to ensure that the latest Core Funding Application from Partner Services is current and accurate.
The QIPP Report Template 2024/25 is open for completion.
The Core Funding Quality and Inclusive Practice Plan (QIPP) Report Template 2024/25 is now open for completion on the Core Funding Contractual Requirements Reporting System Portal, http://www.cfcrrs.ie
While we strongly encourage you to complete your 2024/25 end of year QIPP Report by Thursday the 31st of July 2025, it will still be possible for you to make changes and submit your QIPP Report until Tuesday 30th September 2025.
To complete the QIPP Report the PAU or QAU (Quality Authorised User) will log into the CFCRRS, open the Quality and Inclusive Practice Plan submitted at the start of the year and complete the additional reporting questions, then submit the report by selecting the green check mark at the top of the template.
See 2024/25 QIPP Technical Guidance Video: How to Complete A QIPP Report.
Should you require support getting started, if you experience technical difficulties, or at any stage of your Quality and Inclusive Practice Planning process please contact Martina or Sharon on 0449335454.
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Nurturing Skills
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) launched the Nurturing Skills website earlier this week.
This is a central hub to find information on how the Government is supporting Early Years Educators, School-Age Childcare Practitioners and Childminders on advancing skills,
planning your career and entering the profession https://www.nurturingskills.ie/
NSLF student portal open for continuing students to confirm eligibility
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.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) Student Portal is opened (4 June 2025) for continuing students to confirm their eligibility and intention
to progress in their chosen course to continue to receive their NSLF funding for the academic year 2025/2026.
The closing date to complete the eligibility confirmation is Wednesday 25 June 2025.
Please advise your staff to contact NSLF@pobal.ie if they have any queries.
Important: Failure for a continuing student to confirm their eligibility within the open and close dates will lead to a withdrawal of NSLF funding.
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Change in Circumstances 2025
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.
Guidance document issued by TUSLA on Vetting for Students
Please see link below to new guidance document issued by TUSLA on Vetting for Students:
https://www.tusla.ie/…/CSR-GDE14.18_Guidance_on_Vetting…
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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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Minister Foley announces new maximum fee cap for early learning and childcare services alongside €390 million in State funding this year through the Core Funding Scheme
Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley, T.D., today announced the details of the new maximum fee cap for early learning and childcare services participating in Core Funding alongside record
State funding of €390 million this year for the Scheme.
An initial maximum fee cap was put in place for new entrants to the scheme last year.
A new maximum fee cap will now be introduced for all new and existing services receiving this State funding this September, which will further lower the maximum fees that can be charged depending on the number of hours provided.
This will reduce costs for families who are facing the highest fees across the country in around 10 per cent of early learning and childcare providers.
At the same time, State funding for early learning and childcare providers through Core Funding is being increased by €60 million for the forthcoming 2025/2026 period, bringing it to a record level of over €390 million.
Read full Press Release: Here
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Let’s get Ready & Let’s Play Ireland campaigns
DCDE have asked to share the following information and resources with parents and families:
Let’s get Ready has lots of useful information on:
- Starting pre-school
- Starting primary school
- Information for families with children of disabilities.
- Information resources.
Let’s Play Ireland has tonnes of information on:
- Types of Play
- Rainy day ideas
- Messy play ideas
- Family fun ideas and free outdoor and indoor adventures
- Family events throughout the summer
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
Creating Connections with Parents… Working Better Together
This webinar is suitable for anyone working in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare interested in learning more about building effective relationships with parents.
The more involved parents are in their children’s learning and development, the more positive the outcomes for children.
Building genuine positive relationship between parents and educators is essential to establishing a partnership approach that benefits everyone, especially children.
When educators and parents respect and trust each other, they are better able to work effectively to support children’s wellbeing and development.
Creating Connections with Parents… Working Better Together
June 10th at 7pm
Book your place here: https://www.barnardos.ie/…/building-effective…/…
Upcoming Webinar!
Better Start Quality Development Service Information Webinar is Almost Here!
Date: June 12th
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Location: Microsoft Teams Online webinar
Duration: 1 hour
Registration Link: Here
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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/
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If you have any further questions on the above, you can call the office on 0449335454 or reply to this email info@westmeathchildcare.ie.
