Dear Colleagues,
These are the information, deadlines, and announcements for the week of 10th – 14th March 2025.
DEADLINESS / IMPORTANT DATES:
28th March 2025
Deadline for Parent & Toddler Group Grant applications
31st March 2025 @12pm
Final date for survey submission on Experiences of ELC’s supporting Ukrainian families
4th April 2025
Deadline for Childminding Development Grant 2025
1st May 2025
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund application process closes
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2025 2026
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is now open to applicants for the academic year 2025/2026. NSLF is continuing, as a pilot phase, and will support Early Years Educators working in a Partner Service to undertake approved ELC Level 7/ 8 courses while they continue to work within the sector. NSLF will cover 90% of the course fees for successful applicants.
Attached you will find a Press Release from Minister Norma Foley announcing the opening of the NSLF and an information document detailing the Application Process and Timeline, Rules and Conditions, Eligibility Criteria, and Selection Criteria. Applicants should contact NSLF@pobal.ie to request a link to register on the NSLF Student Portal, upload their employment details and complete the new application process. The application process closes on 1st May 2025.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Updated Aistear for the ELC sector
The Early Childhood team in NCCA is developing a series of blogs to share insights on the recently updated Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. The blogs will support educators, families, and other interested stakeholders in becoming familiar with the new and enhanced concepts of the updated Framework. The first blog in the series focuses on the Principles of Aistear and illustrates the importance of the principles as the foundation for early learning and development for babies, toddlers and young children. Other blogs to date look at the: The agentic educator in Aistear and Aistear and the Irish language.
Future blogs will explore Aistear and the Outdoors; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Aistear; Aistear and the Arts; Emergent Literacy; Emergent numeracy; and STEM in the updated Framework. The blogs can be accessed at the following link: Aistear blogs
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Childminding Development Grant 2025
The Childminding Development Grant 2025 is currently open for applications. All current childminders and childminders planning to open in 2025 are eligible to apply. The grant aims to enhance quality and safety in childminding services and allows for the purchasing of IT equipment to assist with training and Tusla registration processes later in the year.
For further information or to receive an application form, contact childminding@westmeathchildcare.ie or 0449335454
Further information on the National Action Plan for Childminding can be found here: Childminding
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent and Toddler Group Grant
Applications are currently being accepted for the Parent & Toddler Group Grant 2025. The grant is available to existing not-for-profit groups who provide informal support to all families and involve the participation of parents/guardians in the community. The grant is also open to new Parent & Toddler Groups as well as Buggy Walking Groups. For further information or to request an application form, contact grants@westmeathchildcare.ie or 0449335454
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Garda Vetting procedures
Tusla will now provide the Garda Vetting Application Service for Registered Providers of Early Years & School Age Childcare Services, Childminders, and those applying for registration.
Applications must be submitted via the new Tusla Garda Vetting Portal. To support Registered Providers and Childminders Tusla has created a dedicated Garda Vetting section on their website, along with a Guidance Document, FAQ and a pathway infographic. Additional information is available on the DCEDIY website here Garda Vetting for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) sector
Please note Tusla will not provide vetting for employees, volunteers, or cover personnel in childcare services. Vetting for these staff members must be obtained from Early Childhood Ireland. Students on work placement must apply through their educational institution.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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/
Child Safeguarding Roles in ELC & SAC poster attached currently available for all services in hard copy for collection in Westmeath CCC office. Eircode – N91E430
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Survey: Experiences of ELC services in supporting Ukrainian Families Displaced by Conflict
Early Learning and Care (ELC) services across Ireland are invited to take part in a short survey exploring experiences in supporting Ukrainian families displaced by conflict. Your insights will help identify what has worked well, the challenges faced, and how we can better prepare for similar situations in the future.
The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will be handled with care. The final date for responses is 31st March at 12.00pm. Your input will help shape practical improvements that make a real difference for families and ELC services alike. Your time and thoughts will be really appreciated. You can access the survey here: ELC Survey
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Westmeath County Childcare Committee would like to invite all preschools to enter this year’s Community Awards 2025 by submitting an application in the following category.
Schools Environmental Competition
The aim of the Competition is to showcase environmental projects, undertaken by local Westmeath schools. This competition is open to all schools [pre-school, National and Secondary] within the County. The project can be undertaken by a group within a class, a class, a group of classes or the whole school.
The projects are based on environmental positive actions/message within a school. The 2025 project is for each applicant school to make, plant and grow 4 flowering window boxes. The magnitude of the window boxes is not overly important but rather weighted towards the sustainability of the box and/or if the box can be built upon in future years. However, as an environmental project, upcycling and recycled materials must be used. Above all, it should be educational, artistic, fun and where possible innovative. So, make a statement and go large and be original as often as you can.
For more information, please find attached School environmental competition guidelines and application.
Application:
Online Applications must be completed by 4pm Friday 7th March 2025.
Supporting documentation (including photos etc) and any further queries can be submitted by email to: communitygrants@westmeathcoco.ie or telephone 044 9332051
Closing date has been extended to 21st March 2025.
AIM online information sessions hosted by Westmeath CCC
ELC services online session – Wednesday April 30th @ 7pm-8pm Booking through Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1272180579359?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you could share the below information with parents or guardians who may have questions on receiving AIM supports.
Parents and Guardians Session – 7th May @ 7pm-8pm. Booking through Eventbrite- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1272192645449?aff=oddtdtcreator
Communities of Practice Invitation!!!
Westmeath County Childcare Committee Facilitate Two Communities of Professional Practice.
- Managers of early years services
- School age services (stand alone and combined services)
Educators come together to collaborate, reflect and keep abreast of new developments with focus always being on quality. It also supports providers with their QIPP requirements and best-practice in the ELC and SAC sector.
We are a group of educators connected by a shared passion to provide quality experiences for all children. We share ideas and practices to inspire and motivate each other.
We explore everyday challenges and help each other by sharing knowledge and experiences as we develop relationships based on respect, trust and openness.
Benefits of joining our community of professional practice.
.QIPP requirements
· Help with everyday challenges
· Gain confidence
· Fun with colleagues
· Meaningful Participation
· Sense of belonging
· Networking opportunities
· Enhanced communication skills
· Develop personally and professionally.
· Expand skills and expertise.
Please e-mail scleary@westmeathchildcare.ie if you have any further questions.
Covid Case Advice
Please see below links to relevant information: Preventing the spread of covid 19 in school or childcare – HSE & Pre_School_ManagementInfectiousDisease.pdf
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
Wishing you all a Happy St Patrick’s Day.
