Dear Colleagues
These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 08th – 12th May 2023.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Tuesday 6th June
Annual Early Years Sector Profile deadline
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
New Core Funding allocations and payments how-to videos available on Hive
New Core Funding how-to videos were recently added to the Early Years Hive, which were created based on feedback from service providers. These videos answer the below frequently asked allocations and payments questions for Core Funding:
- What am I going to get paid for Core Funding?
- How much Core Funding have I been awarded?
- How to find a breakdown of your Core Funding Payment?
The videos are available in the ‘Core Funding how-to training videos’ dropdown on the Training Videos page. If you would like further support or clarification on the terminology used on the Funding tab on the Hive, see “Funding Tab Definitions” document attached.
Help & Support
Should you have any queries in relation to Core Funding – Funding, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Request on Hive using the following categories:
Programme: Core Funding
Request type: Funding
Request type detail: (select relevant request type)
Programme Readiness for ECCE, NCS and the CCSP Saver Programme for the 2023/2024 Programme Year
The first stage of Programme Readiness for the 2023/2024 programme year for ECCE, NCS and the CCSP Saver programme will be available for services on the Early Years Hive at the end of May.
As part of Programme Readiness 1 for the 2023/2024 programme year, the Primary Authorised User (PAU) for each service must confirm service details and submit a 2023/2024 service calendar, before activating the Funding Agreement for each relevant programme.
Service Fees Lists for the 2023/2024 Programme Year
You will be able to activate a programme’s Funding Agreement without having to first submit a fees list for the 2023/2024 programme year. Fees lists for ECCE, NCS and the CCSP Saver Programme will be available for services to submit at a later stage. It is important to note that it will still be a requirement to upload a Fees List.
Information on submitting 2023/2024 fees on the Early Years Hive will be communicated at a later date. All important Programme Readiness dates will also be added to the calendar page for your benefit.
Annual Early Years Sector Profile
The 2022/23 Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey is available on the Early Years Hive since Friday 5th May.
The survey will remain open until Tuesday 6th June 2023 and can be accessed through the Early Years Hive. A training video and guidelines (see attached) are also available on the Early Years Hive.
This comprehensive survey of all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) settings in the country is the primary data source on this sector. It is developed and published by Pobal in collaboration with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
The survey, which has been running for 21 years, plays a central role in informing policy development, assessing the impact of policy change and provides a comprehensive national analysis of approximately 4,400 ELC and SAC services throughout Ireland.
The data collected will be used to produce in-depth analysis of the sector across a range of areas. These include:
- Service detail and provision
- Capacity and attendance
- Staffing (numbers, qualifications, staffing retention, level of turnover etc.)
The Early Years Team encourages all services to complete the survey, the completion of this year’s survey within the open window is mandatory for all existing Core Funding Partner Services. Services who wish to become a Core Funding Partner Service in the future must also complete the survey in advance of submitting their Core Funding application.
The Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs) for April 2023 are available for competition on Pobal Online
The Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs) for April 2023 now need to be completed and should be submitted through Pobal Online.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have advised:
- The importance for all community services to continue to submit FIRs to Pobal.
- These returns provide key information that allows DCEDIY and Pobal identify and help community services to help and resolve problems.
- They act as an informative tool for services in the effective planning of their financial future.
The deadline for submission is Friday 26th May 2023 at 5pm and submissions should include information relating to January- April 2023 inclusive.
You can contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) with queries by raising a ‘Service Request’ on the Early Years Hive.
Please follow the steps below:
- Login to the Early Years Hive
- Select ‘Service Request’
- Select the programme: “Financial and Impact Returns”.
- Click the relevant sub-category.
What Works Ireland Evidence Hub
The Minister is launching the new What Works Ireland Evidence Hub on 31st May via WebEx.
This is an online tool that is designed to increase access to effective prevention and early intervention programmes. The Evidence Hub will provide policy makers, service commissioners, providers and other audiences with cost and resource requirements for a series of evidence-informed programmes. The Evidence Hub includes programmes for children, young people and their parents in a number of settings and which target areas such as addiction, early years, physical and mental health.
More details can be found on the What Works website: Whatworks
Early Years Sectoral eBulletin May 2023
The DCEDIY have issued the Early Years e-Bulletin. The e-Bulletin includes updates from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Pobal and Tusla.
A link to the e-Bulletin may be found here: May 2023 Early Years Sectoral E-Bulletin
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. Westmeath County Childcare Facebook
Early Years Education & Childminding Jobs in Westmeath
Westmeath CCC have launched a new Early years and Childminding jobs board on our website.
This new function will allow EY/SAC and Childminding services to advertise available positions within their service.
You can access through http://westmeathchildcare.ie/jobs/
Click on the ‘Post a Job’ button and complete all relevant information on the form.
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
Westmeath County Childcare Committee CLG
Tel: 044 9335454
Web: www.westmeathchildcare.ie
“We confirm that our organisation complies with Charities Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland”
WCCC SUPPORTING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION SECTOR
