Now Open
2024 CCSP Saver Programme
Monday 18th August 2024
Activate your NCS funding agreement for 2024-25 by this date.
1st August – 31st August
Core Funding Review & Confirm window
Friday 27th September 2024 5pm
Deadline for 2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary Applications
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Reminder: Core Funding Review & Confirm window
The Core Funding August Review & Confirm window is open until the 31st August. If a Partner Service does not complete the Review and Confirm process within the required timeframe, Core Funding payments will be placed on hold. Partner Services should carefully review the grant values displayed on the summary page prior to submission of their Review and Confirm. For further details see the announcement on the Early Years Hive dated 15th August. Core Funding supports and training materials including a Core Funding Review and Confirm 2024/2025 (how-to-video) are available on the Hive.
Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process
Fee increases will be available to some Partner Services in Year 3 of Core Funding and 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 Westmeath County Childcare Committee. The Applicant Guidelines can be found on the Hive> Resources> Programme Documents> Guidelines on Fee Management
AIM Rules for Programme Year 2024/2025
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) rules for the 2024/2025 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme year are now available on the Early Years Hive here. The AIM rules are a useful resource for parents and the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. As indicated in the ECCE funding agreement, ELC services that avail of AIM are obliged to comply with the AIM rules. Compliance checks have been included for the Access and Inclusion Model in 2024 to confirm adherence with programme rules. Further information on these checks are included in this rule document. It is advised that all ELC providers read the updated rules and ensure that all staff are familiar with the updates.
2024 CCSP Saver Programme is now open
The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver Programme is now open for the 2024/2025programme year. Preliminary payments for CCSP 2024 will be made on 16th August and payments from 23rd August onwards will be based on approved registration for the CCSP programme year 2024.
You can find guidance and documentation on the Hive to support you with the CCSP Saver Programme.
ECCE/AIM Payments
Preliminary payments for ECCE 2024/25 will be made on 16th, 23rd and 30th August and payments based on approved registrations will commence in the week ending 13th September. Further information on the ECCE 2024 Programme can be found here. Payments for AIM Level 7 2024/25 will commence on 16th August 2024.
2024 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary
Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary 2024 offers a bursary to early years educators and registered childminders, who are working in the sector, and have obtained a recognised Level 7/8/9 award. There is also a bursary available for registered childminders who have completed a Level 5 or 6 award. Please contact info@westmeathchildcare.ie for application forms and guidance.
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DCEDIY & Safe Food Resources
The DCEDIY in conjunction with Safe Food has distributed the “Wash Your Hands with Rufus” and the “Healthy Lunchboxes” resources to all County & City Childcare Committees.
Over the coming weeks Westmeath County Childcare Committee will have collection points for each service to pick up the Wash Your Hands with Rufus and the Healthy Lunchboxes resources. Services are asked to please share/make available these resources with the children and families using your service.
The pickup points will be as follows:
Westmeath County Childcare Committee Office, N91 E430 Monday – Friday 9am to 4pm
Equal Start
DCEDIY have now published Equal Start Rules for 2024/2025 which you can find here. If you need any support or have any queries relating to Equal Start, please contact EqualStart@equality.gov.ie
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
