These are the deadlines, important dates, and announcements for the week 4-8 April 2022.
DEADLINES/IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 8 April 2022 *TODAY*
- Closing dates for applications for LINC Programme 2022/ 2023
Friday 22 April 2022
- Closing date for Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2021- 2022 (See below for details)
Friday 22 April 2022
- Complete the Transition Fund application by 22 April for payments to be made from 29 April (See below for details)
Tuesday 26 April 2022
- The Department of Education Inspectorate: Consultation on Guide to Early Years Education Inspection (EYEI) (See below for details)
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
The Annual Early Years Sector Profile (AEYSP) 2021/2022 survey is now available on the Early Years Hive. The AEYSP is a very important source of data on the Irish Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. This year the survey is mandatory for all services who wish to apply for Core Funding. You may have noticed that the AEYSP is open a bit earlier than usual this year. This is to ensure that the Core Funding application process can get under way. Deadline for submission of the AEYSP is Friday 22 April. The AEYSP can be accessed on the Early Years Hive under My Account<Surveys<Available Surveys. We have attached the AEYSP Guidelines for your convenience.
Transition Fund
The Transition Fund application is now open on the Early Years Hive. The purpose of the Transition Fund is to offer financial support to ELC and SAC providers between the end of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) in April and the introduction of the new Core Funding in September. Payment will be made to providers in respect of weeks open between 2 May and 29 August 2022. One of the conditions of Transition Funding is that the provider must agree not to increase parental fees above those changed in September 2021. Providers are encouraged to apply by 22 April for payments to be made from 29 April. The application can be accessed on the Early Years Hive under Programmes<Available Programme Applications. We have attached the Transition Fund FAQs for your convenience.
Little Library
The Minister for Children recently announced the My Little Library initiative. This initiative offers a book bag with books and resources to every 4- and 5-year-old going to school in September 2022. We will shortly be sending you out invites for children in your setting who are moving onto primary school in September. If you would be so good as to distribute the invites to the relevant children in your setting, they can then go along to their local library with their parents/guardians, collect their bag and join the library. Westmeath CCC have invites for each Early Years service ready for collection from WCCC office.
A Parent’s Guide to Childcare in Ireland for Ukrainian Families
The DCEDIY have prepared an introductory guide to childcare in Ireland for Ukrainian families. The guide is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian and gives a brief overview of how childcare works in Ireland. We have attached the guides for your convenience and please feel free to distribute to any Ukrainian families who might be in touch.
Barnardos-Supporting the Wellbeing of Children from Ukraine
Barnardos have a pre-recorded webinar on their website entitled Supporting the Wellbeing of Children from Ukraine. This webinar gives early years educators an overview of the impact of trauma in the context of children arriving in Ireland from Ukraine and explores some of the key considerations to help foster resilience in the ELC setting. The webinar can be accessed here https://www.barnardos.ie/learning-development/training/elearning/supporting-the-wellbeing-of-children-from-ukraine
Barnardo-Building Trauma Awareness in Early Learning and Care
Barnardos have just launched a publicationentitledBuilding Trauma Awareness in Early Learning and Care which offers insight and guidance to support ELC services to begin the journey to adopting a trauma-informed approach. The publication can be purchased at www.barnardos.ie/traumabook
Happy Talk-April
Attached is the April Happy Talk Newsletter. This month is all about learning language through Rhymes. Feel free to share far and wide.
Review of the Early Years Services Regulations
Public consultation on the review of the Regulations governing the ELC Sector is open until 6 May 2022. To access the survey and submissions template please click here:https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/bef61-public-consultation-on-a-review-of-regulations-for-early-learning-and-care/.
National Action plan for childminding FB page
National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 | Facebook
Covid case advice
There are two national helplines for services. The HSE dedicated number for ELC/SAC services who have confirmed Covid-19 cases is 01 511 9777.
The national support helpline operates at weekends and bank holidays only.
