These are the deadlines, information, and announcements for the week of 2nd– 6th December 2024.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES:
16th December 2024
Quality Inclusive Practice Plan (QIPP) to be submitted
20th January 2025
Deadline for Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme
Applicant Guidelines and Application Forms for the scheme as well as a provider training session on the scheme will be available shortly.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon, 20th January 2025. For further information please see updated document sent with this week’s bulletin.
Quality & Inclusive Practice Plan (QIPP)
The Quality & Inclusive Practice Plan (QIPP) is due for submission on 16th December 2024 on www.cfcrrs.ie The PAU has already received the log in details.
The guidance for completing the QIPP (formally QAP) is on the Core Funding documents page of the Early Years Hive here.
AIM Level 7 Review and Confirm closes on 13 December 2024
Please note the closing date for submitting an AIM Level 7 Review and Confirm application for the 2024/2025 programme is 13 December 2024.
If there is a child attending your service who had an approved AIM Level 7 application during the 2023/2024 programme call, please ensure you submit an AIM Level 7 Review and Confirm application before 13 December 2024. Applications must be submitted via the Early Years Hive.
A guide on submitting an AIM level 7 Review and Confirm application can be found here.
Should you have any queries in relation to the AIM Level 7 application process, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request using the following categories:
- Programme: AIM Level 7
- Request Type: Application
- Request Type Detail: How To
Updated Aistear. Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
An updated version of Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework has been prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and was published this week. You can access the framework here, The website is available in English and Irish.
Updates include:
- Aistear retains the similar structure of the original Framework.
- The Principles of early learning and development have been reduced from 12 to nine.
- The Themes of Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Communicating and Exploring and Thinking have been retained and updated.
- The number of Learning Goals within each Aim of the Themes has been reduced. They remain broad, but observable statements that support babies, toddlers and young children’s learning and development.
- Those using the Framework, including parents, childminders and early years educators are referred to as ‘educators’.
- There is an acknowledgement of Irish cultural and linguistic history and story. Irish words, phrases and proverbs have been embedded throughout the Framework.
New Garda Vetting Procedure
The DCEDIY issued a communication this week on the new Garda Vetting Procedures to take effect from 1st February 2025. Please see information attached.
Childminding Registration
Tusla have continued to expand the resources and support documentation available on their Childminding webpages //tusla.ie/early-years-inspectorate/childminding-services.
To contact Tusla’s childminding helpline ring (061) 440600 (option 9) or email cm.registration@tusla.ie or view their Frequently Asked Questions section on the website.
Westmeath County Childcare Committee Facebook Page
We invite you to visit our website here and like and follow our Facebook page Westmeath County Childcare Committee Ltd for updates and relevant content here
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
