These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 18th– 22nd March 2024
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Building Blocks Expansion Grant 2024
Friday 3rd May 2024
Parent & Toddler Group Grant Application closing date
Friday 26th June 2024
Deadline for submission of Core Funding Financial reporting
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 1
As you are aware Partner Services who signed up for Core Funding Year 1 (Sept 22- Aug 23) must now complete a financial report in respect of that year. This financial report consists of an Income & Expenditure report (template is available on Hive> Resources> Programme Documents> Core Funding documents> Core Funding financial reporting requirement year 1)
The Income & Expenditure report will be submitted on a new portal, which will open in two stages:
- The portal will be open to providers to register and to link their nominated accountant on or before the 29th April.
- The portal will be open on or before the 31st May to accept completed Income and Expenditure report templates
- The deadline for submission of the completed Income & Expenditure report template is 26th June
The letter from DCEDIY with further detail is attached. If you require any support, guidance or clarification please do not hesitate to reach out to your Development Worker.
Building Blocks Expansion Grant
Applications for the Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme are now available on the Early Years Hive. Detailed information regarding Building Blocks – Expansion Grant, is available in the Application Guidelines. Also, two additional support documents have been added, the Technical Guide and Demonstration Video to further assist service providers with their applications.
Parent & Toddler Group Grants
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has announced the launch of the 2024 Parent and Toddler (P&T) Grant.
This year the DCEDIY will continue to support P&T groups with a special focus on increased participation in P&T sessions of recently arrived parents and children from Ukraine and other countries.
Funding allocations for 2024 will be based on applications received and recommendations put forward by each CCC, subject to DCEDIY approval. The closing date for receipt of applications from Parent & Toddler groups is Friday 3rd May 2024.
The Press Release on the 2024 Parent and Toddler Grants can be viewed HERE …
For more information on Parent and Toddler GRant applications please contact Karen on 044935454 or by emailing kmurray@westmeathchildcare.ie
Upcoming Workshops, Events and Information Session
Draft Childminding Regulations Consultation
Calling all childminders & parents – Don’t miss the opportunity to have your say‼
Childminders Online Focus Group, on Monday 25th March 2024. 7pm – 8.30pm.
Join our Focus Groups on the Draft Childminding Regulations. Your opinion matters, your voice, your experiences and your ideas are valued. Join the Focus Groups and play an integral role in shaping the future of childminding in Ireland.
The public consultation on the Draft Childminding Regulations are now open.
Childminders are invited to share their views & Experiences. Your Feeback will play an important role in creating the framework.
Did you know you can attend on-line from the convenience of your home.
Click the link to book your place on the On-line Childminders Focus Group here
Don’t miss out on this chance to be heard and influence the New Childminding Standards.
Minister O’Gorman’s Press Release can be accessed on the following link: gov.ie/en/press-release/b7c86-minister-ogorman-launches-public-consultation-on-new-childminding-regulations/
Public Consultation Information can be accessed on the following links: gov.ie/en/consultation/2071d-public-consultation-on-the-draft-childminding-regulations/
gov – National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028 (www.gov.ie)
ALWAYS CHILDREN FIRST FOR EARLY YEARS SERVICES Basic Level –
One day training course. (delivered over two dates) BOTH DAYS NEED TO BE ATTENDED TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATE.
Date: 9th 11th April 2024
Time: 1.00pm- 4.00pm
Venue: WCCC Training Room
Cost: €20 (covers cost of both days)
BOOKING 9th April will guarantee place on both days of course
- Booking Form attached needs to be completed and returned as confirmation of place on course.
- ONE BOOKING PER SERVICE – Any duplicate or second bookings will be cancelled and refunded accordingly.
- Please complete the TUSLA Children First E-learning and the Mandated Person eLearning programme and submit copy of BOTH certificates by email prior to training, certificates must be up to date and within one year of course date.
AIM Information Session: ELC Services – Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:00 – 20:00
The information session will provide an introduction and an overview of the AIM model.
The session will be hosted online and further information on AIM can be found at https://www.betterstart.ie
Booking through Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/aim-information-session-elc-services-tickets-858145294677
Access and Inclusion (AIM) Parents & Guardians Information session – Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:00 – 20:00
AIM Information Session for Parents of ECCE Children
This information session is for parents of children already in ECCE or will be starting ECCE in September 2024.
Booking through Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/access-and-inclusion-aim-parents-guardians-information-session-tickets-858159376797
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 shared 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 93 35454 or info@westmeathchildcare.ie
