Childcare Providers Information

Children’s Creative Spaces  – National Conversation on Education 

Minister Norma Foley is inviting children from ELC and SAC services across the country to take part in Children’s Creative Spaces celebrating the theme “Where I learn and play”.

The aim is to give children the opportunity to express creativity, belonging, and their own experiences of their setting (Early Years or School Age Childcare/After School) adding their voice as part of the National Conversation on Education: the First Five Years and School-Age Childcare.

Please find further details in the Educator Guides.

Childrens_Creative_Spaces_Educator_Guide.pdf Childrens_Creative_Spaces_Educator_Guide-GE.pdf

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Building Blocks Phase 2 – €10 million capital funding scheme: DCDE Press Release

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced the opening of a €10 million capital funding scheme to deliver a significant number of additional early learning and childcare places.
The Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2 will provide grants for community and private early learning and childcare services who are Core Funding partner services to increase their capacity by means of extensions to their existing premises. Read the full Press Release here.

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Have Your Say in the Future of Early Learning and School-Age Childcare! – ** FULLY BOOKED**

As part of the National Conversation on Education: the First Five Years and School-Age Childcare the Department is holding a series of local consultation events taking place nationwide from 20^th – 30^th  April 2026. These consultations are being organised and delivered by the 30 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs).

Each consultation will run for approximately 1.5-2 hours giving all participants the opportunity to contribute. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Whether you’re a parent, an early years educator, a school age childcare practitioner, a childminder, a service provider, or someone with an interest in the future of early learning and care and school age childcare – we want to hear from you!

Your views will inform:

• wider discussion as part of the National Conversation on Education;
• Phase 2 of Shaping the Future: the Early Years Action Plan; and
• the successor strategy to First 5: the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028.

The Kerry Consultation will take place on 20^th April 2026 at 18.30 in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

Further information on the National Conversation on Education: the First 5 years and School-Age Childcare can be found here.

Read the full DCDE Press Release:  PRESS RELEASE

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Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026 – now open for applications

Minister Norma Foley has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Nurturing Skills Learner Fund.

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund aims to enhance the quality of early learning and care (ELC) services, while supporting the professional development of early years educators, developing career pathways, and supporting recruitment and retention of staff in the sector.

The Fund will cover 90% of degree course fees for early years educators who wish to advance their qualifications. Participants may study part time over four years while continuing their professional roles within the ELC sector.

Read the full press release: https://brnw.ch/21x0C1h

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Programme Rules 2025/2026

Core Funding: The Core Funding rules for 2025 – 2026 are available on the Hive and can also be accessed here

AIM: The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) rules for the 2025/2026 can be accessed here.

Equal Start : Programme Rules are available here

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TUSLA – Quality and Regulatory Framework Update

Tusla have updated the QRF to reflect recent developments in policy and practice.

A summary of the latest changes can be found on page 4 of the document. Link below.

Quality and Regulatory Framework for Full Time and Part Time Pre School Services

The Core Funding rules for 2025 – 2026 are available on the Hive and can also be accessed through the link below:

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Universal Design Guidelines

Updated Aistear for the Early Learning and Care Sector – March 2025

Information on training and resources on the updated Aistear framework can be accessed Updated-Aistear-for-the-Early-Learning-and-Childcare-Sector.pdf

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Tusla Regulatory Notice: School Age Services

Tusla have published a regulatory notice relating to the definition of enrolment in a School Age Service. The notice makes clear that the Early Years Inspectorate (EYI) considers a child enrolled in a school-age service if they are physically attending the service and, for primary students, registered on the Primary Online Database (POD). A two-week settling-in period before attendance starts is allowed with supporting records. This approach helps maintain appropriate care ratios and takes effect immediately.

You can access the document on their regulatory notices page.

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Core Funding Year 2 Reporting (Programme Year 2023 – 2024) 

The deadline for submitting the completed Income and Expenditure is 28^th February 2025 for Year 2.

The CFCRRS portal is now open. To log in please enter your PAU e-mail address and password. If you require a new password, please select the request password on the top-left corner of the screen. From the 4th of February a template with the pre-populated DCEDIY income figures for your service can be downloaded from the portal.

We recommend sharing your expenditure data and any other income figures (such as parental fee income) with your accountant as soon as possible so they can complete the submission.

For guidance and support click this link and look under Core Funding Reporting Requirement Year 2 (2023/2024). If you have any further queries or requests, please email  support@cfcrrs.ie for clarification.

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Updated 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 guidance document here and the FAQ document 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

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Emergency Closure and Force Majeure Applications

For support with applications please contact Pamela on 087 979 8611  /  pamela@kerrycountychildcare.com

You need to apply for force majeure as soon as possible, but it must be within 5 days of the first closed day.

There is no limit to the number of force majeure events you can apply for throughout the year but the maximum any one event will be paid for is 45 days.

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Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme

Applications for the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme have now closed.

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Guidelines to Support the Inclusion of Autistic Children in Early Learning and Care, School-Age Childcare and Childminding Settings.

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Compliance Framework

The 2024/2025 Programme Year will see the implementation of a new Compliance Framework. The Framework is designed to support service providers in reducing the number of instances, and severity, of non-compliant outcomes that may arise after a Pobal compliance inspection.

Currently only the NCS, ECCE programme and CCSP Savers will operate on the Compliance Framework. Please note that the Compliance Framework will come into effect starting 30th September 2024 and will apply for all compliance visits from this date forward.

It is advised that all providers read the Compliance Framework Overview and accompanying F.A.Q. document to ensure familiarity with the Framework. These documents are available through the links below and on the HIVE resources page.

Compliance Framework Guidance

Compliance Framework Frequently Asked Questions

Treoir Um Chreat Comhlíonta

Chreat Comhlíontatairbhithe Ceisteanna Coitianta

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Critical Incidents

All documentation for Planning and Responding to Critical Incidents can be accessed through the following links:

Critical Incidents in Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare Services- Planning and Responding (PDF)

Critical Incidents in Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare Services- Planning and Responding  (Word Doc)

National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services

Further resources may be accessed through the relevant links below:

Resources:

HSE Safe Harbour Book for Children bereaved by Suicide

HSE-Safe Harbour A guide for Parents & Carers

Responding to Trauma in ELC – Domestic Abuse Barnardos

Responding To Trauma in ELC – Traumatic Grief Barnardos

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AIM Programme Rules 2024/2025

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) rules for the 2024/2025 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme year are now available.

The AIM rules are a useful resource for parents and the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. As indicated in the ECCE contract, ELC services that avail of AIM are obliged to comply with the AIM rules.

Programme rules for 2024 / 2025 can be accessed here.

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Core Funding Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process

Applicant guidelines have now been issued to all service providers.  Please see the announcement section on the Hive to access the document.

For further information and support with the application process please contact pamela@kerrycountychildcare.com

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Equal Start Programme Rules

Equal Start is a major new model of government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.

All eligible services will now have received notification from the DCEDIY and  the Equal Start Programme Rules 2024-2025  have  been issued to Equal Start designated Tier 1 and Tier 2 service providers.

To avail of Equal Start supports and initiatives, services must have a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement in place prior to 1 September of the programme year.

Programme rules for 2024 / 2025 can be accessed here.

Please note: The Equal Start Rules will also be published on the Gov.ie and First 5 webpages in the coming days.

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NCS Programme Year

The new NCS programme year opens on 19 August 2024.

You must activate the NCS 2024/2025 funding agreement before the current year’s agreement ends on 18 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.

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Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process – see update above

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 31^st July 2024. To express interest in a Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process, Partner Services can contact Kerry County Childcare Committee once the relevant application window opens.

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Programme Readiness 2024/2025

A recording of the recent Programme Readiness refresher and Fee Table and Parent Statement training for the 2024/2025 programme year is now available under Recorded training webinars in the Help & Support section of the Hive.

A copy of the slides used during the trainings and a document containing answers to questions asked during the trainings are also available here.

For further support / information  please contact us on 066 71 81 582 or email: pamela@kerrycountychildcare.com.

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New Employment Regulation Orders (EROs)

New Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) applicable to the Early Years Services Sector, came into effect on 24th June 2024.

The Orders include:

– Increases to the minimum hourly rates applicable across employment roles.

– The removal of the requirement for graduates to have three years’ experience before they are eligible for Graduate Lead Educator or Graduate Manager rates of pay, to widen access to graduate premiums under Core Funding.

To read the full announcement, Click here.

Due to the removal of the three years’ experience requirement, Core Funding Partner Services will now have the opportunity to attract a Graduate Lead Educator/Manager premium for a staff member(s), who meets the following criteria:

Graduate Lead Educator for Early Learning & Care (ELC) sessions 

• Must be assigned to the role of Lead Educator in an ELC session(s) and be reflected as such in the Core Funding Application.
• Must hold an eligible qualification as per the Department’s list of approved qualifications, QQI Level 7 or above.

Please note for the purposes of Core Funding, each ELC session can only have one Lead Educator at any one time, even if the children are organised into groups within the room.

Graduate Manager Premium 

• Must be a Graduate Manager working in an Early Learning and Childcare service.
•  Must hold an eligible qualification as per the Department’s list of approved qualifications, Level 7 or above.

Please note, an individual cannot be in receipt of both a Graduate Manager Premium and a Graduate Lead Educator Premium. School Age Childcare (SAC)-only services and childminders are not eligible for the Graduate Manager Premium.

For further support / information on the ERO requirements please contact us on 066 71 81 582

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CAPA Form Amended

The Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) form, which providers are required to submit in response to non-compliant inspection findings, has been amended.

The new CAPA form will be implemented for inspections which are carried out on or after Tuesday 4^th June.

There are no changes to the CAPA process, requirements, or timeframes. The amended CAPA form is intended to be more user friendly.

A new CAPA guidance document for registered providers accompanies the form and sets out the process clearly for providers.

The CAPA form and guidance document can be found on the Early Years Inspectorate  website.

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Nurturing Skills Learner Fund

This new fund aims to assist early year’s educators to pursue early learning and care (ELC) qualifications that have been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) while continuing to work in the sector.

As of 1 May 2024, Pobal are inviting expressions of interest from early years educators via email to NSLF@pobal.ie.

Emails will begin to issue on the 3 May 2024 containing a link to register on the NSLF Student Portal to those who have expressed an interest.

Detailed information around eligibility, conditions, and rules for the pilot NSLF can be found on www.gov.ie/NurturingSkillsLearnerFund.

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Tusla Regulatory Notice: Services Operating Outside of Registration

Tusla have published a regulatory notice related Services that are found to be Operating Outside of Registration

You can access the document on their regulatory notices page.

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Tusla Child Safeguarding Resource List

• Guidance and information
• Policy and legislation
• Training and online learning
• Useful contacts and explainer videos.

Building Blocks Capacity Grant Expansion Scheme  – Applications Now Closed

* The application process for the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Expansion Scheme has now closed.

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Tusla Regulatory Notice: Use of Water Beads in Early Years Services

Tusla have published a regulatory notice which sets out requirements for Early Years Services in relation to the use of Water Beads.

You can access the document on their regulatory notices page.

Let’s Get Ready – Getting Ready to Start Primary School

NCCA Transitions Resources.

These include the Mo Scéal templates, links to transition activities and much more. Links to resources are in English here and as Gaeilge here.

Find the link to Gov.ie resources here

The National Centre for Special Education have information on supporting transitions of children with special educational needs that you might find useful to pass on to parents: the link is here

For some additional information for what to expect in Naionra click here

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NCS Change in Ending Claims with FAQ

As of 17/02/2024 there is going to be a significant change to HIVE.

Now, when parents end the award (CHICK) it will make the current claim invalid and service providers will have to end the claim before they can create a new one.

From this date 17/02/2024, a parent ending their award on NCS will automatically end the claim too. Therefore, service providers will not have to end the claim and if child is still in the service, they can create a new claim with the new CHICK without ending the current claim.

To help understand this new process, the Early Years Team has responded to some FAQ:

• Will the parents know they’re ending the claim when ending the award?

Yes, there will be a warning message when the parents applies for the new award informing them that this action will end the existing claim. Parents will also receive a notification with the new end date for the claim.

• How can parents end the award?

Parents can end the award by simply applying for the new award when the old one has not expired yet.

• What will be the new end date for the claim if the award has been ended?

It will always be Sunday of the week in which the award has been ended. For example, if parents applied for a new CHICK and cancelled the existing one on Friday 16/02/2024, the new end date for the claim will be Sunday 18/02/2024.

• How do I know which claims have been ended?

Service Providers will receive a notification with the CHICK number every time an applicant ends their award so it is important to regularly check your notification on the Early Years Hive. Also, on Hive under NCS registrations, there is a view called “Claims Ended by Applicant.” In that view, service providers will be able to see all of these claims.

• The child has already left the service and award was ended by the applicant, do I have to do anything else?

No, if child already left the service you don’t need to do anything.

• The child is still attending the service, what do I need to do?

You need to ask the parents for a new CHICK and then create a new claim. You won’t need to end the old claim as it will be cancelled automatically.

• I have a sponsored child who attends the service. When the sponsor ends the award, what should I do?

If the child has left the service, then you don’t need to do anything as the claim has already ended. If the child is still in the service, then you can ask the parents if they received the new CHICK or contact sponsor line at 01 906 8535.

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Tusla Inspection Findings Review and Factual Accuracy Processes 

As advised at the end of January, the current inspection Disputed Findings process has been extensively reviewed and enhanced. The process is now called Inspection Findings Review (IFR) process and will be implemented for inspections which are carried out on or after 12th February 2024. The process for Inspection Findings Review and for Factual Accuracy have been separated into two distinct clear processes.

The Inspection Findings Review provides a clear and robust process for when a registered provider disagrees with inspection findings in the inspection report.

You can access all the relevant documents, along with a number of guidance documents to support you with the process on our  Inspection Tools and Templates webpage.

A webinar was held to outline the new process on 29th January 2024 which has been recorded and made available on the Tusla website.  You can access the session, along with the presentations , on the Tusla webinars page.  A  one-page guidance document is also be available.

New Funding Model and Workforce Plan Webinar

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The Free Pre-school Year in the Early Childhood Care & Education Programme (ECCE) is a universal childcare programme designed to give children access to up to 2 years free preschool education before they start primary school.

For eligibility information please see Eligibility for ECCE

For further details see Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth website 

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Fire and Planning Requirements for Early Years Services

In August Tusla issued Guidance on Fire & Planning Requirements for Early Years Services Re-Registration and Change of Circumstances Process.  For further information see Fire_and_Planning_Requirements_for_Early_Years_Services_Re_Registration 

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Childcare Regulations

Early Years is an overarching term that includes Preschool Services. Tusla, Child and Family Agency is responsible for inspecting preschools, play groups, day nursery, crèches, day-care, childminders and similar services which cater for children aged 0-6 years.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, published the Child Care Regulations (The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 on the 4th May 2016. These Regulations are effective on a phased basis from 30th June 2016. The 2016 Regulations provide for pre-school services, that is, those services catering for children under the age of 6 who are not attending primary school.

Part 12 of The Child and Family Agency Act amends the Child Care Act 1991(as inserted by section 92 of The Child and Family Agency Act) known as Part VIIA sets out the Supervision of Early Years Services.

For further information in relation to the childcare regulations see Tusla Child & Family Agency 

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School Age Services

As stated above Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate is responsible for the regulation of pre-schools, play groups, day nursery, crèches, day-care and similar services which cater for children aged 0-6 years.

From January 2019 the registration of School Age Services is included in this remit following the publication of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.

Further information can be accessed here

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Focused Inspection Tool

The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 require that all early years services in Ireland are required to strive for full compliance across all early years regulations, however it is accepted that at present there are areas that require greater focus and attention. Resulting from this, the Child and Family Agency introduced a revised model of Preschool Inspection.  Currently the primary scope of early years inspection will be the areas identified as requiring improvement; Governance, Welfare and Safety.  Below is a link to the Tusla website where providers can access the inspection tool to make themselves familiar with what the inspectorate are looking at when performing an inspection.

Focused Inspection Tool

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Early Years Education Focused Inspection

Early-Years Education-focused Inspections (EYEI) are carried out in early-years services participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme – a programme which provides a period of free early childhood care and education for children before they start school.

During these inspections, the quality of the nature, range and appropriateness of the early educational experiences for children participating in the ECCE Programme is evaluated. The main activity of an EYEI inspection is the observation, by the inspector, of the processes and practices relating to children’s learning in one or more learning rooms or areas in the early-years setting.

At the end of each inspection the early-years practitioners and the owners/managers (where available) are given feedback on the quality of educational provision in the setting. Subsequently a written report is sent to the pre-school inspected outlining the inspection findings and providing advice as to how educational provision in the setting can be further developed or improved. The inspection report is published on the Department of Education and Skills website.