These are the information, deadlines, and announcements for the week of 26th– 30th May 2025.
DEADLINE / IMPORTANT DATES:
1st June 2025:
Deadline for submission of new applications to Tusla – Proposed New Service Applications
3rd June 2025:
Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 closing
27th June 2025:
Deadline for AIM applications for the 2024/25 programme call
1st July 2025:
Deadline for submission for Tusla Change in Circumstance
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25
The deadline for the 2024/2025 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey has been extended to allow more time for services to complete it.
The survey will now close at 5pm on Tuesday, 03 June AEYSP Survey – Service Provider Portal.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
AIM Programme Readiness 2025
AIM Programme readiness 2025 checklist is attached for your convenience.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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/
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Let’s get Ready & Let’s Play Ireland
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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/
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any further questions on the above, you can call the office on 0449335454 or reply to this email info@westmeathchildcare.ie.
