This Week in Childcare

Dear Colleagues,

These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week 20^th – 24^th February 2023.

DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:

Thursday 2^nd March 2023

Deadline for all NCS Parental Agreements to be updated.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

AIM Level 5 Transfer of Ownership Webinar and Supports

The Transfer of Ownership process for AIM Level 5 equipment will commence on 8 March 2023.

As this is a new process on HIVE, training sessions have been organised via Webinar to provide service providers with a step-by-step guide to submitting a Transfer of Ownership and will include a Q & A section at the end. A How to Guide will also be made available on Hive before the Transfer of Ownership process commences. Please click on the relevant link for further information and to register your attendance:

​Please note that the maximum number of participants per session is 500.

As per the AIM rules, section 7.20 “Pre-school providers and parent(s)/guardian(s) must engage with Pobal in relation to the transfer of ownership of equipment (including returning signed transfer of ownership forms, as appropriate).

Equipment provided under AIM Level 5 should not be removed from the pre-school until the transfer of ownership process is completed.

If you require any additional information or support, please submit a request through Hive using the following categories:

Programme: AIM Level 5

– Request Type: Equipment

– Request Type Detail: Transfer of Ownership

Early Years Hive Maintenance 3-5 March 2023

The Early Years Hive and the National Childcare Scheme website will be unavailable from 7am on Friday 3 March 2023 until 9pm on Sunday 5 March due to essential maintenance.

The Early Years Team in Pobal will issue further reminder announcements on the Early Years Hive closer to the date. The dates of this maintenance have been added to the announcements calendar on Hive.

There will be no impact to your weekly payments on Friday 3 March.

After this maintenance, you may need to refresh your web browser to access the portal again.

The Early Years Team apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation.

Update re Parental Agreement and Co-Payment tool

The deadline for updating parental agreements for NCS is March 2^nd, 2023. The Co-Payment tool and/or the semi-automated Parental Agreements are based on the information inputted by Service Providers and does not include NCS closure periods. Therefore, Providers should review the calculations to ensure they are correct for the service’s particular circumstances. If there are additional unfunded days, the calculations will need to be adjusted.

Libraries Ireland urging everyone to ‘squeeze in a read’ for Ireland Reads on Saturday, 25 February

Libraries Ireland are asking everyone to pledge to ‘squeeze in a read’ during February or on Ireland Reads Day itself, February 25 – whether that’s reading a book, a picture book, a newspaper, a comic, or listening to a story – whatever works grabs your interest! Libraries Ireland would love if schools, Early Learning Centres, teachers, parents and students would get involved, pledge to read and spread the word!

Details on how to get involved are attached in both an English and Irish version.

Happy reading!

Programme Board to oversee planning for a dedicated State Agency for ELC and SAC

A Press Release by the DCEDIY was issued on Tuesday, 21 February in relation to the Minister’s announcement of the appointment of a Programme Board to oversee planning for a dedicated State Agency for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare.

The Programme Board will oversee the initial phase of this significant programme of reform which will entail examining all aspects of the creation of the new agency. The Programme Board will oversee a range of work stream groups and a programme management office, make recommendations on the key design and costing decisions throughout the project to ensure that this work progresses in a timely manner, and provide evidence-based recommendations to the Minister, following international best practice. A key component of this work will be ensuring that the views of a wide range of stakeholders are sought throughout the process to help shape the design of the new agency. It is expected the Programme Board will be in place throughout 2023 and 2024. The work of the Board will inform future proposals of the Minister for Government agreement on the establishment of the new agency.

Childminding Events

Session 2 – Registration & Revenue  28^th February 2023

• Benefits of registering with revenue

• Benefits of PRSI Class S contributions

• Step by step guide to registering with revenue as a self-employed childminder

• Cases studies for childminder’s paying income tax or availing of the Childcare Services Relief

• How to avail of the Childcare Relief Services

To book the 10 am session – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/539273520617

To book the  7pm  session – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/539292417137

Session 3 – Childminding and Parent Contracts : 8^th March 2023

This information session will support childminders operating a childminding service to:

• Adopt a professional approach by using a contract between a childminder and parent

• Look at the benefits of establishing formal contracts with parents/guardians

To book the 10 am session –  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/560482246487

To book the  7pm  session – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/560484884377

This event is hosted by Westmeath County Childcare Committee in collaboration with Kildare, Offaly and Longford CCCs.

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 0443935454 or info@westmeathchildcare.ie