These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week 14th to 18th November 2022.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline extended ********Friday 18th November
The deadline to submit a Core Funding Application change that occurred before 28th October and receive backdated payment has been extended to Friday 18th November 2022
Friday 25th November
Closing date for DCEDIY Building Blocks grant
Wednesday 30th November 2022
Quality Action Plan Deadline
Invitation to submit and Expression of Interest to take part in Aistear and Play CPD IN 2023
Monday 2nd January 2023
Increase of NCS subsidies
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Following this date, Providers will continue to be able to make updates and changes to their Core Funding Application Module however back payments will not be permitted.
Please note that providers who have not had any changes to their application information since it was submitted do not need to take any further action at this time.
To assist services in submitting an application change, new training videos are available on Early Years Hive:
Core Funding Application Change – Amending a Session Type Error (days/hours)
Core Funding Application Change – Replacing a Vacancy
Core Funding Application Change – Amending a Capacity Error
Core Funding Application Changes – Departing Staff Member
You can find these videos under the ‘Core Funding Training Videos’ heading on the Core Funding Documents page.
CCCs remain available to assist with Core Funding Application Changes.
Building Blocks
The applicant guidelines are available on hive. There is also a Technical Guide document for support on completing the application on hive.
If you wish to view the recorded webinar the link is as follows:
Link: https://youtu.be/ob2nnu8OeMw
Quality Action Plan
The deadline for completion of the Quality Action Plan for Partner Services is Wednesday 30th November 2022. If you need any assistance, please contact Westmeath CCC on 0449335454.
Invitation to submit and Expression of Interest to take part in Aistear and Play CPD IN 2023
What is Aistear & Play CPD?
Aistear & Play CPD is part of the National Síolta Aistear Initiative (NSAI) a collaboration between Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth (DCEDIY), Department of Education (DE), Better Start National Early Years Quality Development & the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The purpose of the NSAI is to support the implementation of our two National Frameworks-Síolta and Aistear. From spring 2019, the Aistear & Play has been delivered in partnership with the Better Start Quality Development Service (QDS).
This CPD is an eligible activity for your Core Funding Quality Action Plan. Settings are invited to complete an Expression of Interest to take part in the course in 2023.
To register your interest, click here https://forms.office.com/r/JkXzHUie2A and click on submit when the form is completed. The closing date to submit the form is 30th November.
Better Start Quality Development Service Evaluation
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have commissioned an independent evaluation of the Better Start Quality Development Service (QDS). Better Start QDS is a national initiative that was launched in 2015 to enhance quality practice and promote positive outcomes for children in Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings.
The evaluation aims to better understand the Better Start QDS, whether it contributes to improved quality of practice and positive outcomes, and if there are any areas for improvement.
A link to this survey has been shared with all services who have engaged with QDS since 2015. We would like to thank all the service providers who have participated to date, and encourage any who have not yet completed the survey to do so when possible. This survey is an important part of the evaluation and will inform our understanding of Better Start QDS, as well as any areas for future development and investment.
Covid case advice
ELC and SAC providers and Childminders that have positive cases and require support can contact the HSE ELC/SAC dedicated helpline on 01 511 9777.
For general Covid-19 queries you can contact HSE live on 1800 700 700 or 01 240 8787 or visit the First 5 website for the most up to date information and guidance. (www.first5.gov.ie)
Should you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0449335454 or info@westmeathchildcare.ie
