Learner Fund Graduate Bursary -2023

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has 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. The local City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) will process and appraise Learner Fund Graduate Bursary applications.

The Learner Fund offers a bursary of €750 to early years educators who have obtained a recognised Level 7/8/9 award, were working in a Tusla-registered ELC service prior to commencing their studies and are currently working in a Tusla-registered ELC service.

This closed for applications on 29 September 2023.

Send completed application forms and supporting documentation by email to niamh@carlowccc.ie

Rules:

The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be either:

a) On the DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications list and indicated as meeting the qualification requirements for lead educator graduate premium.

Or

b) The applicant must hold a letter of eligibility to practice from DCEDIY which states that the qualification meets the standard for the graduate premium.

• The award must be placed at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2015-2023.
• The bursary amount will be €750.
• The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary cannot be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
• Letters from third level education providers which state that a partially completed award is equivalent to a full award will not be accepted.
• The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be that which qualifies the person to work in the Early Years sector (and is at least level 7 on the NFQ).
• Applicants may only apply once and cannot be granted the Learner Fund bursary for a second time if they have already received it before – ie. the bursary will be paid for one of the following: a level 7 OR a level 8 OR a level 9 qualification.
• The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
• The bursary is available to experienced practitioners only; applicants must have been working in a Tusla-registered Early Learning & Care Service prior to beginning their course and applicants must be currently working in a Tusla-registered Early Learning & Care Service.
• Staff working in standalone School Age Childcare services are not eligible to apply.
• Application must be made by the holder of the award and not by any third party on their behalf.

Rules:

2023 Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Rules for Applicants

Application Form:

2023 Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Application Form

Childminders:

Childminders who are registered with Tusla and hold a Level 5 or Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) achieved in the academic years 2015 to 2023 inclusive are eligible to apply.

Rules:

2023 Learner Fund Childminder Bursary Rules for Applicants

Application Form:

2023 Learner Fund Childminder Bursary Application Form

Timeframe for applications: