Dear Colleagues,
Here are the deadlines, important dates, and announcements for the week of 30 August – 3 September 2021.
DEADLINES/IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 10 September 2021
- Extended closure date for Playing outside grant applications (see below)
Tuesday 28 September 2021
- Deadline for CCSP Finance and Impact returns (FIRS) for August 2021 (see below)
Friday 1 October 2021
- Closing date for Learner Fund applications
Sunday 31 October 2021
- Final date for completion of subsidised FAR training course
Monday 1 November 2021
- Final date for re-registration of ELC services
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Playing outside grant
The closing date for grant applications has been extended to 5p.m. on Friday 10 September. Applications are completed through the Hive for eligible expenditure between 1 June and 30 November 2021. Eligible expenditure now includes CO2 monitors.
Fees lists on the national website
NCS and ECCE fees lists are now publicly available on the NCS website here
New quick guides are also available for NCS fees and ECCE fees
Dept. of Education Early Years Education Inspections
You recently received information from the Dept. of Education regarding the resumption of their Early Years Education Inspections. The full programme of inspections, complying with public health guidelines, is due to recommence in September.
The development of the 0 – 6 years inspection model will continue with a sample of settings during Sept – Dec. If you would like to be involved in the trial, contact EYEInspectorate@education.gov.ie
There are some webinars relating to the inspection process on the Dept.’s website:
Early Years Education Inspection: Focus on the early years practitioner
Responding to the Early Years Inspection Report
COVID-19 Operating Support Payment (COSP) – Verification Checks
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has provided supports to the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Care (SAC) sector in recognition of the particular challenges and difficulties facing providers.
One such support was the COVID-19 Operating Support Payment (COSP). The purpose of this payment was to support Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services for the period 1 February to 28 March 2021.
As with all funding, the Department is required to ensure that the funding claimed was used for the purposes intended. The Department and Pobal will soon be undertaking verification checks against the criteria of the COSP for a sample of services funded. These checks will verify participating services’ compliance with the COSP and will be carried out remotely in line with public health advice. The verification desk checks are expected to commence shortly and you will be notified in advance if your service is selected.
You are requested to review all of the materials carefully to ensure that you have met requirements of the COSP.
The CCSP Finance and Impact returns (FIRS) for August 2021
The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Finance and Impact returns (FIRs) for August 2021 returns are available for completion on Pobal Online.
As advised previously, the DCEDIY would like to emphasise the importance for all community services to continue to complete and submit FIRs to Pobal. These returns provide essential information that allows DCEDIY and Pobal to identify and help services to resolve problems. They also act as an informative tool for services in the effective planning of their financial future and highlight the real effect of closure due to Covid-19 on community services.
The deadline for submission for August 2021 returns is 5pm on Tuesday 28 September 2021.
If you require any assistance in completing the return please contact your Pobal Finance Support Officer childcarereporting@pobal.ie
Tusla Covid 19 notification
Tusla ‘Early Years Inspectorate COVID-19 Notification Form’ and procedures are back up and running. You can complete ‘Early Years Inspectorate COVID-19 Notification Form’ and email it to ey.registration@tusla.ie as per the bottom of the form. You can also contact Early Years reception on 061 461 700.
Covid Case Support Helplines
There are two helplines available to services who have a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19 in their service.
The HSE have a helpline to advise service providers if they have been informed of a Covid-19 case in a child or a staff member. The number is 01 511 9777. It is open Monday – Friday 8.30 – 4.30 and 10 – 4.30 Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
For those services who need support on engaging with the relevant authorities due to a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, there is an out of hours helpline. The number is 1800 940 341. The service will be available Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from 10.00 – 13.00 and 13.30 – 16.00.
Kind regards
Westmeath County Childcare Committee
