These are the deadlines and announcements for the week of 16-20 June 2025.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
25 June 2025: Closing date for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF)
27th June 2025:Deadline for AIM applications for the 2024/25 programme call
31 July 2025: QIPP Report Template recommended completion date
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
2025/2026 Programme Readiness
Programme readiness tasks for Core Funding, ECCE, NCS & CCSP Saver are now available for completion on HIVE.
All guidance and support documents are available in the Resources section of HIVE.
The Announcements issued on 6 June & 9 June also contain links directly to the specific support documents including programme checklists (attached).
http://westmeathchildcare.ie/ecce-ncs-ccsp-programme-readiness-2025-with-checklists/
If you would like to book an appointment or have any queries on the above announcements , please call the office on 0449335454 or email
Natasha – nreid@westmeathchildcare.ie
Karen – kmurray@westmeathchildcare.ie
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Year 4 Core Funding updates
Following the recent announcement by Minister Foley on the changes to Year 4 Core Funding (2025/2026), the ‘What’s new for Partner Services in Core Funding Year 4 2025-26’ document
as well as other support documents are available on HIVE and through the following link; Core Funding Q&A
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Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 5 Equipment Journey Infographic
An Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 5 Equipment Journey Infographic is now available under the Help & Support section on the Early Years Hive.
The infographic provides a snapshot of the journey of AIM Level 5 Equipment.
Coming soon AIM Plus and Non-term
Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 7 Plus and Non-term applications for the 2025/26 programme year will open soon on the Early Years Hive.
To submit an AIM Plus and/or AIM Non-term application, you will need to have an AIM Level 4 and AIM Level 7 Standard application for that relevant child.
You will also need to have your ECCE 2025/26 calendar.
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QIPP Report Template 2024/2025
QIPP report template 2024/2025 is now available for completion on www.cfcrrs.ie .
Services are strongly encouraged to complete the end-of-year QIPP report by Thursday 31 July 2025.
The final deadline for completion is Tuesday 30 September 2025.
A QIPP Technical Guidance Video: How to Complete a QIPP Report is available here
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
A new 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/
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Principles for Engaging in the Arts: A Guide for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Settings.
Minister Foley & Minister O’Donovan recently launched the ‘Principles for Engaging in the Arts: A Guide for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Settings’.
The guide and further information can be accessed here
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Change in Circumstances 2025
( Tusla document attached )
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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Early Years Digital Portfolio Project
The Early Years Digital Project (EYDP) is a European Erasmus+ + project.
It aims to give early years educators the tools to easily and effectively share information with parents about their children’s progress in early years settings.
It is based on Pedagogical Documentation developed in Emilia Reggio and has been adapted in many ways in different countries. However, it is little used in Ireland.
Project partners are based in Portugal, Italy, and Romania, and the project is informed by the differing practices in each country.
In Ireland, ULS (Universal Learning Systems) is the project partner, with Steve Goode, Imelda Graham, and Alan Bruce conducting the research and development.
Resources developed include:
1. Handbook on Pedagogical Documentation:
Welcome to the “Early Years Digital Portfolio” EYDP project
2. Online training course which provides lots of useful information and examples of how to introduce Pedagogical Documentation into the Early Years Sector:
Welcome to the “Early Years Digital Portfolio” EYDP project
3. The first iteration of the Digital platform is now available. They are starting to develop ways in which it can be used to develop Pedagogical Documentation: EYdigifolio
The Project Team are inviting early years educators to look at the online training programme that has been developed so that they can make any final adjustments
and make it useful and beneficial to all early years educators.
An evaluation form of the online training programme can be found at:
Welcome to the “Early Years Digital Portfolio” EYDP project
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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
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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 Events & Information Sessions
Early years preschool to primary training for parents
The National Parents Council are running free online information sessions for parents on a variety of dates and times from 30 June to 4 July 2025.
For further information, please see poster attached.
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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/
The HSE’s factsheet “Playing Outdoors – Skin Protection for Children” is a great resource to help early years educators and families keep children safe in the sun.
It offers simple, practical tips on sun protection to ensure outdoor play remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.
📝 Read the factsheet: https://www.hse.ie/…/factsheet-playing-outdoor-skin…
