These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 9th – 13th September 2024
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 27th September 2024 @ 5pm:
Deadline for 2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary Applications
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary
The Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary 2024 offers a bursary to early years educators and registered childminders, who are working in the sector, and have obtained a recognised Level 7/8/9 award. There is also a bursary available for registered childminders who have completed a Level 5 or 6 award. Please contact kmurray@westmeathchildcare.ie for application forms and guidance.
NCS Compliance Inspections – 2024/2025
As the new NCS programme call 2024/2025 has commenced, NCS on-site inspections by Pobal will continue in childcare services. The compliance process will involve a series of standardised checks to confirm adherence with programme rules, contract conditions and relevant legislation as set out by the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration & Youth (DCEDIY).
NB: NCS inspections require 12 months of records available and accessible for review.
With the commencement of the NCS 2024/25 inspection cycle, the Pobal Compliance team have updated the relevant NCS compliance support documents which are available on the Hive under the Resources section. These documents are listed in the links below
Accessing the NCS Compliance Report on Hive
NCS Compliance Checklist for Approved Providers 2024-25
NCS Compliance Guide for Approved Providers 2024-25
NCS Post Inspection Rectification Actions for Approved Providers 2024-25
Training has been scheduled for the following dates and times:
- Monday 16 September 2024 at 10am and 6.30pm
- Tuesday 17 September 2024 at 2.30pm.
The training will cover NCS compliance checks for 2024/2025.
Please see below the links to register with Go to Webinar.
NCS Compliance 2024/2025 Session 1, 16 September at 10am
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2622163050745530713
NCS Compliance 2024/2025 Session 2, 16 September at 6.30pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1847694547930917982
NCS Compliance 2024/2025 Session 3, 17 September at 2.30pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4081515147478797149
Financial Management tool Year 2
The Financial Management Tool for Core Funding Year 2 (2023/2024) is now available for download from Hive for Partner Services that wish to use it as a support.
This is under the new heading Financial Management Tool Year 2 (2023/2024), link below:
Core Funding – Documents – Service Provider Portal (ncs.gov.ie)
Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process
To submit an expression of interest in the Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process, Partner Services can contact their Development Worker directly or info@westmeathchildcare.ie.
Applicant Guidelines can be found on the Hive> Resources> Programme Documents> Guidelines on Fee Management
Aim level 7 Plus and Non-Term Applications
The AIM Level 7 Plus and Non-Term application process recently opened on the Early Years Hive. Below are links to the webinar recording, slides from the webinar and a questions and answers document
(Q &A) from the training sessions.
If you have any queries about the AIM programme, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Request on Hive using the following categories:
Programme: AIM Level 7 >Request type: Application >Request type detail: How To
Covid Case Advice
Please see below links to relevant information:
Preventing the spread of covid 19 in school or childcare – HSE
Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings (2012)
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
