Dear Colleagues,
These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 13th Nov – 17 Nov 2023.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
17th November 2023
The Review & Confirm period will close today – Friday 17th November.
30th November 2023
Building Blocks Improvement Grant Financial Returns
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Core Funding Financial Reporting now available on the Hive
A complete set of the Financial Reporting resources and videos are now available on the Core Funding page of the Hive.
Review and Confirm
The November Review and Confirm window for the 2023/2024 programme call is now open to all Partner Services until Friday, 17 November, inclusive.
To complete the November Review and Confirm Partner services must:
– Ensure that their most recent Core Funding application or change is at “Approved” status.
– Upload their completed Quality Action Plan to their Service Profile.
– Ensure that all data captured in their Service Profile is up to date.
Failure to complete the November Review and Confirm will result in Core Funding payments being placed on hold. To support services in uploading their Quality Action Plan and completing their Review & Confirm form, additional resources are available on the Core Funding Documents page on the Early Years Hive.
Building Blocks Improvement Grant Financial Returns
Services who received funding through the Building Blocks Improvement Grant are advised to complete the Financial Return by 30th November.
The recorded webinar on how to submit the return can be accessed by clicking the following link:
First Aid Responder (FAR) requirement reminder
Due to recent Tusla inspections outcome we would like to remind Providers that:
· At least one person trained in first aid (FAR) is available to the children while the service is in operation.
· At least one person trained in first aid (FAR) is available to the children when on outings.
· A list of people trained in first aid (FAR) is available.
· In-date certification for each trained FAR is available.
The number of people trained in first aid for children (FAR) and available for first aid response is based on the service’s risk assessments, including the size of the service and the hazards identified.
ECCE programme rules and the CCSP saver programme rules
An updated Version 2 of the ECCE Programme Rules and the CCSP Saver Programme Rules for the 2023/2024 programme year are now available. The Irish translation will be available in due course. Please note that Version 2 of the rules covers updates in relation to “Critical Incidents”.
Please ensure to review this updated ruleset for ECCE/CCSP Saver Programme. It is the responsibility of the service provider to ensure they are aware of any new changes or updates to any policies, guidelines and/or programme governance protocols and to comply and implement any new policies, guidelines and or programme governance protocols. This document can be accessed on the hive > programme documents > ECCE documents/CCSP documents > ECCE/CCSP Programme Rules.
Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs
The Minister for Special Education and Inclusion asked researchers from the School of Education at University College Dublin to explore people’s experiences of EPSEN. If you are interested in sharing your experience, please see the document attached.
Covid case advice
Please find below links to information from the HPSC in relation to Covid-19 and information from the HSE for ELC and SAC providers on preventing the spread of Covid-19 and children returning to ELC and SAC settings.
We would be grateful if you share this information with parents, guardians, and staff.
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/child-returning-to-school-or-childcare/
In addition, please find link below to the Management of Infectious Diseases in Childcare Facilities guidance resource.
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/lifestages/childcare/File,13444,en.pdf Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings (2012)
For general Covid-19 queries you can contact HSE on 1800 700 700 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday or visit the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/
Should you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0449335454 or info@westmeathchildcare.ie
