Dear Colleagues,
These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 4th-8th December 2023.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
15th December 2023
AIM L7 2022/23 Extension Application Deadline
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
AIM L7 Extension application
The application process on HIVE to submit an AIM Level 7 extension application for the 2023/24 programme call will be closing on 15th December 2023. This is only for children who had an approved AIM Level 7 application during the 2022/2023 programme call and are still attending your service. An AIM Level 7 extension application must be submitted before 15th December 2023.
Building Blocks Capacity Grants
Minister Rodric O’Gorman this week announced the Building Blocks Capacity Grants for 2024. The main focus of the Expansion Grant and Extension Grant is to increase capacity in the 1-3 age range for full day or part time care. The Expansion Grant will be made available from early 2024, projects of between €50,000 and €100,000 will be funded to deliver additional capacity. The Extension Grant will be made available later in 2024 to facilitate larger scale expansions. Projects of between €100,000 and €500,000 will be funded. Match funding will be required by private providers for both grants, with a max contribution by DCEDIY of 50% of total project costs.
Further information is available by contacting mmartin@westmeathchildcare.ie
Critical Incidents in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services: Planning and Responding
All Early Learning and Care (ELC) and school Age Childcare (SAC) services are required to have a service level Critical Incident Plan as outlined in the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF) and the National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services. A guide has been developed from previous guidance on critical incidents planning, including the Critical Incident Plan Toolkit and the extensive work of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), to support ELC and SAC services to think about and plan for critical incidents and to have practical supports in place should it be necessary to respond to a critical incident.
Happy Talk- December Calendar
Please find attached a copy of the December Happy Talk Calendar. The focus this month is on learning new Christmas words in lots of different languages.
First Aid Responder (FAR) requirement
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.
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://www.hpsc.ie/news/title-23357-en.html (updated11thAugust2023) 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/
