These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 22nd – 26th January 2024.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 2nd February 2024
Deadline for Submission of the Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs)
Friday 22nd March 2024
Financial reporting deadline for Core Funding
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Closure due to Storm
If your service had to close this week due to the storm, please ensure you submit a Force Majeure form to Pobal along with evidence of the requirement to close. The form can be located on Hive> Programme Documents> Cross-programme Documents> Force Majeure Application Form.
The completed form must be submitted on the Hive via Service Request:
Request program type: User Account Management
Request type: Force Majeure
Request type detail: Standard Force Majeure
Early Years Inspectorate Webinar – Inspection Findings Review – Monday 29th January 2024
This webinar will provide an overview of the Early Years Inspectorate’s new Inspection Findings Review process and the Multiple Providers Overview Project.
In relation to the new Inspections Finding Review process, the webinar will:
- Explain what is meant by an Inspection Findings Review
- Outline the process for making a request for an Inspection Findings Review
- Describe how requests for Inspection Findings will be processed
- Explain how outcomes of an Inspection Findings Review will be communicated
In relation to the Multiple Providers Overview Project the webinar will:
- Explain the project and how it will function
- Outline how this will affect providers
Booking is essential Register in advance here
Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs)
The FIRs can be completed now and should be submitted through Pobal Online. The DCEDIY has advised the importance for all community services to continue to submit FIRs as this allows the DCEDIY and Pobal to identify and resolve problems. FIRs also act as an informative tool for future financial planning. The deadline for submission is Friday 2nd February 2024 at 5pm and submissions should include information relating to September to December 2023.
Core Funding Income & Expenditure Materials & Videos
The DCEDIY have agreed a transitional arrangement for financial reporting to cover year 1 and year 2 of the Core Funding scheme. Financial reporting requirements in this transitional phase have been significantly simplified and streamlined and the material now available on the Early Years Hive reflects those changes. It should be noted that the Financial Management Tool is optional. The financial reporting deadline for Core Funding is 22nd March 2024. The revised reporting requirement during the transitional phase will consist of a sector specific Income and Expenditure Report. This Income and Expenditure Report will significantly reduce the reporting requirement on partner services.
Relevant documents can be located on Hive> Resources>Programme Documents>Core Funding documents> Income and Expenditure Report
Please contact your Development Worker if you require support.
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund Pilot
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will run as a pilot scheme in 2024 and applications will open in May 2024, for early years educators who have applied to an approved higher education institution with a view for the selected educators to receive financial support for studies starting/commencing in September 2024. The pilot scheme will run in conjunction with the current Learner Fund scheme which will continue to be administrated by the Childcare Committees. The Learner Fund bursary award contribution for 2024 will rise from €750 to €1000 to assist those who are not part of the pilot Nurturing Skills Learner Fund. Further information is available in the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund Press Release
Healing Trauma in Children Webinar
Waterford County Childcare Committee (CCLPL) have organised a webinar facilitated by Cesi Pro Syrii on how to use the Trauma Picture Book, looking at what trauma is and what we can do as supporting professionals to help parents and Refugee/all children alleviate the effects of trauma. This event is a follow up from CCLPL’s recent ‘It Takes a Village’ Conference -Exploring responses to Trauma. The Healing Trauma books can be accessed and downloaded at Cesi Pro Syrii Publications . Please note that hard copies of the books are available from Cork County Childcare Committee. Please contact the office for details.
This comprehensive webinar will take place on 31st January 2024 from 9am – 5pm. Please see attached poster. There is a cost of €15 per participant. Places can be booked via Eventbrite Healing in Trauma Webinar
AIM Rules for 2023/2024
The AIM Rules for 2023/2024 have been published on the AIM website. These can also be accessed here AIM Rules 2023 2024
AIM Level 1 2023/2024 Reminder
It is still possible for services with new and existing Graduates of LINC to submit your AIM Level 1 application. As AIM Level 1 is an annual application, if you currently have a qualified LINC Graduate working in your service as an Inclusion Coordinator and have not submitted your AIM Level 1 2023 application, then we encourage you to apply for the 2023/2024 programme call.
Please note: AIM level 1 funding will commence from the Monday following approval of your application. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Early Years HIVE portal.
AIM Level 5 Equipment – transfer of ownership.
The transfer of ownership process for AIM Level 5 equipment will open in late February 2024 on the Early Years Hive.
The transfer of ownership of equipment from Pobal & DCEDIY to the relevant party occurs at the end of the child’s participation in the ECCE programme. The completion of this process will determine the destination and the ownership of the Level 5 equipment item.
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.”
A Service Provider will be deemed to be in breach of their Standard Operating Agreement with Pobal where equipment is removed from the preschool prior to approval of the transfer of ownership.
A ‘How to Guide’ on how to complete the Transfer of Ownership process is available to Service Providers on Hive> Help & Support> Better Start/ AIM > Level 5> Transfer of Ownership
If you require any additional information or support, please submit a request through Hive using the following categories:
- Request Programme: AIM Level 5
- Request Type: Equipment
- Request Type Detail: Transfer of Ownership
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 in the Press Release
If you have any queries in relation to Building Blocks Capacity Grants please contact mmartin@westmeathchildcare.ie
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. Preventing the spread of covid 19 in school or childcare – HSE
In addition, please find link to the 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 HSE Covid 19
Should you have any queries on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us on 044-9335454 or info@westmeathchildcare.ie
