These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 22nd -26th July 2024
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday 22nd July2024:
Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 2, (2023/24) now available on the Hive
Sunday 28th July 2024: (Please note)
Deadline for submission of your Core Funding QAP Report 2023/2024
Wednesday 31st July 2024:
Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process Opens
Monday 18th August 2024
Activate your NCS funding agreement for 2024-25 by this date.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 2, (2023/24)
Services in receipt of Core Funding during the 2023/24 Programme Year are required to complete the Income and Expenditure Template for Year 2 of Core Funding. Services will need to engage an accountant to map the income and expenditure information onto an Income & Expenditure template and submit it on the Core Funding Contractual Reporting Services portal (www.cfcrrs.ie).
The deadline for submitting the completed Income and Expenditure Template will be no later than 6 months after the end of the programme year, which is 28th February 2025 for year 2. The Core Funding contractual requirements reporting system (www.cfcrrs.ie) will open to providers in mid-January 2025 for Service Providers to register and to link their nominated accountant (if they have not already done so).
Blank Templates and guidance documents are available on the Hive under Resources-Programme Documents – Core Funding Reporting Requirement year 2 (2023/24). https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/downloads/download-corefunding/
Core Funding Quality Action Plan Report 2023/ 2024
All Core Funding Partner Services are required to complete a Quality Action Plan Report and upload the saved PDF report to the HIVE for validation. Please click on the link below to complete 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
Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process
The DCEDIY recently announced that fee increases will be available to some Partner Services in Year 3 of Core Funding. All fee increases will be managed through the new Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process, scheduled to commence on 31 July 2024. Applications will be invited and processed on a phased basis to ensure Partner Services operating for the longest period without a fee increase are served first.
Applicant Guidelines in respect of the Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process will issue in advance of 31st July 2024. To express interest in a Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process, Partner Services can contact Westmeath County Childcare Committee once the relevant application window opens. Alternatively send an email requesting a fee review to info@westmeathchildcare.ie Please see attached document for more details.
Submit your NCS 2024 funding agreement
The new NCS programme year opens on 19th August 2024. You must activate the NCS 2024/2025 funding agreement before the current year’s agreement ends on 18th August 2024. This is to ensure continued participation in the scheme, as claims on NCS CHICKs will be registered across both programme years.
The funding agreement is available on the All Programme Applications page. You can find a guide on activating an NCS funding agreement in the Help & Support section of the Early Years Hive HERE.
Please note that failure to submit this funding agreement may result in a loss of funding. As per the NCS Policy Guidelines funding cannot be backdated, so please submit this application as soon as possible.
Programme Readiness 2024/2025
The first stage of Programme Readiness for ECCE, NCS and the CCSP Saver Programme 2024/2025 is available on the Early Years Hive. Guidance on completing programme readiness and activating funding agreements can be found on the Help and support page of the Early Years Hive.
Application Process for Core Funding 2024/2025
The Core Funding application process for the 2024/2025 programme year is available on the Early Years Hive. Your service Profile must be up to date before completing the core funding application for 2024/2025. Once the 2024/2025 application has been submitted, there is a 21-day window to activate the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement. Further information can be found here.
AIM Level 1 Application Process for existing graduates.
Services with existing LINC graduates can now apply for AIM Level 1 funding for the year 2024/2025. Services must have completed ECCE programme readiness steps and activated an ECCE Funding Agreement on HIVE prior to application. New LINC Graduates can apply for AIM Level 1 funding once final exam results have been notified by Mary Immaculate College. AIM Level 1 application guidelines can be found HERE
Equal Start Model
Equal Start is the new model of Government-funded support to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare. More information can be found here
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/
Are you having difficulty finding suitably qualified staff to fill your vacancies?
Join us on 20th of Aug 24 at 14.00pm to find out how the FREE EU recruitment service provided by EURES Ireland, which is part of the Department of Social Protection, can help you. Not only can we help you to find well qualified candidates in other EU countries, but EURES also has access to funding to assist them to relocate to take up a job offer in Ireland.
The Department of Social Protection also has a range of services and financial supports available to employers recruiting candidates living in Ireland. Register for this free team’s event to find out more.
Bookings through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/949004055677?aff=oddtdtcreator
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
