These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 29th January -2nd February 2024.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 2nd February 2024
Deadline for Submission of the Finance and Impact Returns (FIRs)
Monday 12th February 2024
Deadline for the Core Funding Review & Confirm submission.
Friday 22nd March 2024
Financial reporting deadline for Core Funding
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Core Funding Review & Confirm
The February Review & Confirm window is now open and will close on Monday 12th February 2024. Prior to completing the Review & Confirm, you must ensure that all data on the Service Profile is up to date. Secondly, the Core Funding Application Module must be at status ‘Approved’. If the Application Module is at a ‘Referred Back’ status, the issue must be rectified prior to completing the Review & Confirm. Support documents can be located on HIVE>Resources>Help & Support>Core Funding>Core Funding Application
Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 1
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> Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 1 (2022/23)
Please contact your Development Worker if you require support.
Updates on the National Child Safeguarding Programme
Attached for your information are the updates from the National Child Safeguarding Programme. Please note that from 2024 the National Child Safeguarding Programme Sectoral Training plan, delivered through CCCs nationally will operate over a 5-year period. This is to ensure that all staff can access the appropriate training. The steps are outlined in the document attached and should be used to inform your services training strategy.
First5 Little Library
Attached you will find a copy of the First5 Little Library at your Local Library eBulletin. It includes information on the supports available from the local library to ELC & SAC services as well as details on the Little Library Evaluation.
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.
Diversity Equality and Inclusion Workshop
Westmeath CCC will be delivering our next suite of DEI training for early years educators over 2 dates Tuesday 20th February and Thursday 22nd February.
Training dates ; All dates must be attended.
- Tuesday 20th February 1.30 pm – 5.30pm
- Thursday 22nd February 1.30 pm -5.30 pm
Venue – Westmeath CCC training room postcode – N91E430
To book your place on this workshop email nreid@westmeathchildcare.ie
DEI workshop will link in with Section 1 of Core Funding QAP – To attend workshops organised by Better Start Quality Development Service, your local CCC and/or a NVCO (e.g. Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, Barnardos, and Childminding Ireland), linked to one or more of the pillars of practice in the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide.
CPD Opportunities with Athlone Education Support Centre
- Athlone Education Support Centre provides CPD opportunities for Early Years Practitioners/ Teachers/Parents/SNAs through online and in-person courses.
Register through their website and access their complete catalogue all CPD Courses below;
https://www.athloneeducationcentre.com/cpd-courses.html
Keep an eye on the website for new courses that may be relevant to ELC and SAC services.
LC24-21SP EPILEPSY INFORMATION SESSION FOR EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONERS/ TEACHERS/PARENTS/SNAS – Tuesday 05-03-2024 7:00 pm may be of interested to ELC & SAC services
This session, provided by Epilepsy Ireland will cover the following:
- Key Epilepsy Definitions and Terms
- Epilepsy Facts
- Epilepsy Causes
- Seizure Classification
- Treatment of Epilepsy
- Responding to Seizures
- ESCI – Education Support Centres Ireland website lists all available courses and events from Education Support Centres nationwide. Keep an eye on the website for upcoming courses of interest website is updated regularly.
Please filter the list below to find a course in your local education centre or region. Booking for preferred course can be completed via the Education Centre’s website. https://www.esci.ie/cpd-courses.html?resetfilters=0&clearordering=0&clearfilters=0
Updating Service Directory 2024
Westmeath CCC are currently in the process of updating our ELC/SAC Service Directory 2024.
In line with our role of providing support and information to all ELC/SAC service providers in regards to the delivery of DCEDIY Programmes, AIM and other statutory regulations, national policy and quality standards we use various methods of communication.
While emails to services are used regularly, text messages also provide a way for us to notify services, remind them of upcoming events or deadlines and to ensure that all services in our area are aware of updates and new information.
This database is reviewed annually and updated on an ongoing basis if requested by childcare services. More than one phone number or email can be included here if necessary.
Would you mind taking 5 minutes to complete this form? https://forms.office.com/e/tnEQtpKPxA
Thanks to all services who have already submit this information.
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
