Dear Colleagues,
These are the deadlines, information and announcements for the week of 3rd – 7th June 2024.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday 7th June 2024: *Extended* TODAY
Deadline for the Annual Early Years Sector Profile
Friday 7th June 2024 TODAY
Childminding Development Grant deadline for completed applications
26th June 2024:
Deadline for submission of Core Funding Financial Report (Income & Expenditure Template)
28th July 2024
Deadline for submission of your Core Funding QAP Report 2023/2024
For Your Information:
New pay agreement to provide pay increases for the early learning and childcare workforce
This week, Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail accepted proposals for new Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector. The Orders will commence on 24 June 2024 and will increase the minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in the Early Years Services Sector. Further information can be access here.
Public Consultation on a National Plan for Irish Language Provision in ELC & SAC
On the 6th June, Minister Roderic O’Gorman launched the public consultation on a National Plan for Irish Language Provision in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. The consultation details are available here.
Consultation on New ELC Agency & Administration & Regulatory Simplification
The DCEDIY are facilitating additional online consultations on the new National Early Learning and Childcare Agency and Administration & Regulatory Simplification on 13th June. The New Agency sessions are scheduled to run from 11am-1pm and the Administration & Regulatory Simplification sessions are scheduled to run from 4:30-6:30pm. Any service interested in attending this consultation please email eygov@equality.gov.ie to book a place.
Equal Start
Equal Start is a funding model and a set of associated universal and targeted measures to support access and participation in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
It is the fourth element of Together for Better, the funding model for ELC and SAC, which currently comprises the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and Core Funding. Further information on Equal Start can be accessed atgov – Equal Start (www.gov.ie)
Temporary arrangements for students to work in settings during the summer period.
In light of the current staffing pressures in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services, as a temporary measure specifically to help services with short-term staffing shortages over the summer period, the DCEDIY has arranged an accelerated process for assessment of equivalence with the level 5 minimum qualification requirement for students currently enrolled on a recognized level 6, 7 or 8 course. For further details on this please see relevant documentation attached.
Annual Early Years Sector Profile
The Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2023/24 survey is currently available on the Early Years Hive. Thesurvey will remain open until this evening Friday 7th June 2024 at 11pm and can be accessed through the Early Years Hive. The Guidelines are also available on the Early Years Hive.
Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 1
The Core Funding Contractual Requirement Reporting Systems (www.cfcrrs.ie) is now accepting submissions of the Income & Expenditure Report from linked accountants.
Further information is available on Hive> Resources> Programme Documents> Core Funding documents> Core Funding financial reporting requirement year 1
Core Funding Quality Action Plan Report 2023/ 2024
Core Funding requires all early learning and care, school-age childcare and childminding services that benefit from Core Funding to complete a Quality Action Plan and to report on same. Please click on the link below to access the online survey and generate your Core Funding Quality Action Plan Report. The closing date for receipt of submissions is the 28th of July 2024.
Complete QAP form – https://forms.office.com/r/AiJG5mK1Kr
AIM Programme Readiness and Review & Confirm
The Pobal Early Years Team recently added a number of key points to note in relation to AIM Programme Readiness and Review & Confirm. Further information and links to How To Guides are available in the Announcement section of HIVE
Extension of AIM to support additional hours for ECCE aged children
On 6th June Minister Roderic O’Gorman announced plans for an additional €14 million in supports for children with a disability under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). For further information please click here and see attached FAQ.
Tusla Corrective & Preventive Action Form
The Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) form has been amended and will be implemented for inspections which are carried out on or after Tuesday 4th June. There are no changes to the CAPA process, requirements, or timeframes. A new CAPA guidance document accompanies the form and the CAPA form and guidance document can be found on the Early Years Inspectorate website.
EPSEN accessible survey
The EPSEN accessible survey is aimed at children and young adults with special educational needs, who may face challenges with traditional survey methods. The survey includes accessible features, including easy read, voice over and ISL. This important accessible online consultation will enable those with cognitive challenges to share their valuable opinions and perspectives. For further details please visit the following link: EPSEN Review Consultation.
Click here to access the survey.
Childminding Development Grant 2024
The closing date for Childminding Development Grant 2024 applications is this afternoon 7th June 2024.
Completed applications should be emailed to childminding@westmeathchildcare.ie
SCIEARLY Project- Invitation for Early Childhood Educators to participate
Dublin City University is taking part in SCIREARLY, a three-year project funded by the European Commission that explores how to enable children to learn and thrive in school and complete their education. SCIREARLY wants to hear from early childhood educators in Ireland about their experiences working in ECEC. The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes; participation is anonymous and voluntary, with the data used for research purposes only.
Link to survey: https://skopos1.de/uc/admin/6027/?a=
Further information about SCIEARLY can be found at https://scirearly.eu/
Child Safeguarding Training Procedure
Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services are required to have a procedure in place that outlines how all workers and volunteers can access information and training that is relevant to their role in child safeguarding. The National Child Safeguarding Programme have developed the attached poster to support services to develop a Child Safeguarding Information and Training Procedure. It is recommended that this training cycle is completed over a 5 year cycle.
Further information on developing child safeguarding procedures can be found in the Child Safeguarding Resource Document; Guidance for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services in Ireland and on the National Child Safeguarding Programme website https://childsafeguardingelc.ie/
Upcoming Events – Information Session
Better Start Quality Development Service Information Webinar
Better Start are holding an Information Webinar about the free mentoring options available to childcare services who engage with the Better Start Quality Development Service. This session will take place online on: June 11th 7-8pm. Register for the webinar: here
If you require any additional information, please contact quality@betterstart.ie
Do you know a young person living with a lifelong health condition who could benefit from making social connections through creativity?
Helium Arts is a children’s charity committed to improving the well-being of children and young people in Ireland, aged 6-16, who are living with lifelong physical health conditions.
We offer free creative workshops, both in communities and online, led by professional artists. These workshops provide safe and accessible spaces where children navigating health conditions can come together.
We use creativity to inspire these children to feel more confident. By empowering them with tools such as friendship, community and new skills, Helium Arts helps these children to become more prepared and capable of overcoming adversity.
Supported conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, allergies, heart conditions, asthma, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis, rare or complex conditions and many more.
According to a recent independent evaluation of our community programme,
“100% of parents reported that their child experienced an improved quality of life after participating in Helium Arts workshops.”
This is a testament to the positive impact of our work on the lives of these young individuals and their families.
Registrations are now OPEN for our FREE Summer Camps in Dublin and online.
We would appreciate it if you could help spread the word among your networks.
To sign up, simply click on the links below:
Ages 6-8
1) Online Summer Saturdays
4-Week On & Offline Creative Programme: 6-27 Jul
Ages 8-12
1) Dublin In-Person Summer Camp
16-18 Jul
2) Online Summer Saturdays
4-Week On & Offline Creative Programme: 6-27 Jul
Ages 13-16
16, 18 & 20 Jul
All of our workshops are facilitated by professional artists, with the support of our friendly volunteers and on-site medical support (if needed).
If you’re not sure what to expect at a Helium Arts workshop…
Bring your family and friends and come along to our open studio taster workshop on Cruinniú na nÓg, Saturday, June 15th, from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Everyone is welcome at this free, drop-in event—no booking necessary!
Covid case advice
Please see below links to relevant information:
- Preventing the spread of covid 19 in school or childcare – HSE
- Management of Infectious Disease in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings (2012)
- General Covid-19 queries: Contact HSE on 1800 700 700 between 8 am and 8 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 5 pm Saturday and Sunday / HSE Covid 19
