This Week in Childcare

Dear Colleagues,

These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 5th August –9th August 2024

DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:

1st August – 31st August

Core Funding Review & Confirm window

Monday 18th August 2024

Activate your NCS funding agreement for 2024-25 by this date.

Friday 27^th September 2024 5pm

Deadline for 2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary Applications

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Preliminary Payments for CCSP and ECCE

Please see below dates of the first preliminary payments for CCSP and ECCE for 2024/25 Programme Call. Funding agreements activated after the dates below continue to be eligible for preliminary payments and will be included in subsequent payment runs.

Payments schedule for CCSP and ECCE 2024 can be found here:

–CCSP

–ECCE

The full announcement can be found on the Hive Announcements.

AIM Payments

Payments for AIM Level 7 2024/25 will commence on 16th August 2024. Payments are made one week in advance and weekly thereafter. The following rates will be applicable to AIM Level 7:

The above rates will also apply to the additional AIM hours. Service providers can apply for up to 15 more hours of capitation per week in term and 30 hours out of term. To ensure the effective processing of AIM Level 7 2024 payments, please ensure the child(ren) who have been approved AIM Level 7 2024 are registered on the ECCE 2024 programme or are eligible to avail of the ECCE 2024 programme and are registered and approved on CCSP 2024. Guides and supporting material have been reflected to update this and can be found here.

Core Funding Review & Confirm window

The Core Funding August Review & Confirm window is now open (1st-31st Aug). All Core Funding Partner Services must complete the Review & Confirm before the 31st August. For the full announcement go to the Hive Announcements.

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. Fee Increases will be managed through the new Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process. To express interest in the Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process, Partner Services can contact Cork County Childcare Committee. Please see the Core Funding Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process Applicant Guidelines attached.

2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have re-opened the Learner Fund Bursary to Early Learning and Care practitioners who are new graduates of a recognised Early Childhood Education and Care degree programme at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2015 – 2023. Childminders who are registered with Tusla and hold a Level 5 or Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) may apply for the Learner Fund Childminder Bursary 2024. Applications will be accepted from 12^th August.

For further information and the relevant application form and guidance documents please contact Westmeath County Childcare Committee. Completed applications must be returned to kmurray@westmeathchildcare.ie and the closing date is 5pm on 27^th September 2024. Please share the details with any staff members this may apply to.

Equal Start

DCEDIY have now published Equal Start Rules for 2024/2025 which you can find attached. If you need any support or have any queries relating to Equal Start, please contact EqualStart@equality.gov.ie

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 20^th 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