These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 17th – 21st April 2023.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Wednesday 26th April
AIM Information Session for providers 7pm
Thursday 27th April and Friday 28th April
Pobal AIM Refresher Training
Deadline to apply to join Early Years Inspectorate proposed development of inspection report template
Wednesday 3rd May 2023
AIM parent information session 7pm
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
AIM Information Sessions
Westmeath County Childcare Committees together with Better Start are running AIM information sessions for parents and providers.
The information session for providers will take place on 26th April 7pm -8pm
The information session for parents will take place on 3rd May 7pm -8pm
Please see leaflets attached which include details to book on through Eventbrite.
We would be grateful if you could share the leaflet for the parent information session with your parents on noticeboards or via your childcare app.
Pobal AIM Refresher training session
Pobal are also running AIM sessions for providers covering the following areas:
- Level 4: Expert Educational Advice and Support
- Level 5: Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations
- Level 7: Additional Capitation
For further information on topics covered please refer to the announcement section on the Hive.
The webinars will take place at the following dates and times:
AIM 4, 5 and 7 Refresher SP1
27/04/2023 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2380998358094374485
AIM 4, 5 and 7 Refresher SP2
28/04/2023 from 10:30am – 11:30am
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4623609553106642272
Core Funding ‘Review & Confirm’
The ‘Review and Confirm’ window closed on Friday 7th April 2023.
It is important to note that although the window has now closed, services who have not yet completed the ‘Review and Confirm’ are still required to complete the process and the ‘Review and Confirm’ form will remain open on the Early Years Hive.
Core Funding payments will be placed on hold until such a time as the process is completed. However, once your ‘Review and Confirm’ is approved, Partner Services will receive payment on the next available catch-up payment.
If you have not completed your ‘Review and Confirm’ or are unsure, please contact your Development Worker for assistance.
Please refer to the Hive announcement section for further information and guidance.
Tusla – New Applications and Change in Circumstances – Guidance re timeframes
An important guidance document regarding 2023 timeframes for applications for new registrations and change in circumstance requests.
Change in Circumstance applications
Aistear- The Journey Continues
On Saturday 6th May 2023, you are invited to discuss, share and engage with research and practices that emerged from the recent review of literature to support the updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework completed by researchers and academics at DCU Institute of Education.
This engaging and interactive event will include seminars, small group workshops and showcasing of practice that provide an opportunity to consider how research and evidence informs and enhances curriculum development in an Irish context.
An exciting day of knowledge exchange, critical reflection, practical workshops and connection with
friends and colleagues in early childhood care and education.
DATE: Saturday 6th May 2023
TIME: 9.30am- 2pm
WHERE: DCU Institute of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Please see attached to this bulletin a flier which includes a link to register for this free event.
Early Years Inspectorate proposed development of new inspection report template
Early Years Inspectorate is proposing to develop a new early years inspection report template.
Tusla would now like to get the views of key stakeholders on the changes they are proposing. Participants will be asked to complete 2-3 online questionnaire surveys, the first online questionnaire in May and the second in June 2023.
Participants should:
- have knowledge about Early Years inspections and / or reports and/or the findings documented in the early years inspection report which may be directly relevant to you.
- be available to respond to the questionnaires
- be willing to take part.
If you would like to take part, please email rpdt@tusla.ie as soon as you can and no later than Friday 28th April 2023. Please include your name, your role and your organisation in your email.
Tusla are keen to have input from people from a range of areas / disciplines / roles so if there are a large number of responses from some areas, participants will be identified accordingly.
NCS hours
Parents availing of the NCS scheme will be receiving a notification on their parent portal from DCEDIY to clarify the NCS attendance rules. These were outlined to providers in the Early Years Sector Bulletin March 2023.
To view the notice parents will receive please refer to your own announcement section on the Hive, as parents may come to you with queries.
Early Years Sector E-Bulletin April 2023
In case you haven’t read it yet here is the link to this month’s DCEDIY Early Years Sector E-Bulletin E Bulletin April 2023
Westmeath County Childcare Committee Facebook Page
We invite you to like our Facebook page Westmeath County Childcare Committee Ltd for lots of updates and relevant content. https://www.facebook.com/WestmeathCountyChildcareCommittee/
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. (https://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
