Minister O’Gorman launches public consultation on Irish language provision in early learning and care and school-age childcare

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Minister O’Gorman launches public consultation on Irish language provision in early learning and care and school-age childcare

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today announced the launch of a public consultation on a national plan for Irish language provision in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).

The consultation will seek views on how best the Government can support the provision of Irish-medium ELC and SAC, and it will also explore what role the Irish language should play in English-medium ELC and SAC services.

The consultation process, starting on 6 June and running until 12 July, will be an opportunity for all parties involved and interested in the Irish language in ELC and SAC to voice their opinions. Stakeholders will be able to participate in and give their feedback through an online survey, through both online and in-person focus groups, and through a national stakeholder event. The process will also include consultation with children.

The consultation process follows through on commitments in First 5: A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families and in the 5 Year Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 – 2022. First 5 includes commitments to introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC and SAC provision, and also to develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC and SAC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish. The 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language includes a commitment to develop a comprehensive plan for the sector.

Speaking about the consultation, Minister O’Gorman said:

“It is important to ensure that strong supports are in place for Irish-language provision in early childhood. Public consultation is central to the development of a plan that is robust and effective, and that reflects the importance of our national language for young children and for society in general. The views of all stakeholders are important and I would like to encourage widespread participation from anyone interested in this significant issue.

“Early childhood is fundamental in providing solid foundations for our children. The development of a comprehensive plan for Irish-language provision in ELC and SAC shows my Department’s commitment to support the use of Irish in children’s early years in all areas of the country.”

Feedback and insights from children and young people, parents, early years educators, school-age childcare practitioners, ELC and SAC settings, Irish-language organisations, ELC support organisations, and all other interested parties will play an important role in shaping the development of a national plan for Irish language supports for ELC and SAC.

Make your voice heard by joining the public consultation here .

Press Release

Minister O’Gorman announces plans for €14m boost in support for children with a disability accessing early learning and childcare

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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  • Funding for Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) increasing by €14m (32%) in 2024
  • This funding is currently supporting around 7,100 children with a disability to participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, an increase of almost 900 children from the same period last year
  • Also, from September 2024, ECCE-enrolled children will be fully supported to access and participate in early learning and care settings beyond the time they spend in the ECCE programme – both in term and out of term

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman today announced plans for an additional €14 million in supports for children with a disability under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).

AIM was first introduced to ensure that children with a disability could access and meaningfully participate in the State-funded Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in mainstream settings – through a suite of universal and targeted supports.

Up until now, a key support – additional funding to providers to enable a lower adult-child ratio – was allocated for the duration of the ECCE programme only (i.e. 3 hours per day, 5 days per week and 38 weeks per year).

The additional funding will ensure an increasing number of ECCE-enrolled children can be supported under AIM. It will support an extension of AIM support from September 2024, meaning that children with a disability enrolled in the ECCE programme will now be fully supported to access and participate in early learning and childcare settings beyond the time they spend in that programme – both in term and out of term.

Combined with existing supports through the ECCE programme and Core Funding, providers will be funded for up to a further 15 hours of capitation per week in term and for 30 hours per week out of term to enable a lower adult-child ratio.

Since AIM was first launched in 2016, more than 28,000 children have received targeted AIM supports in over 4,400 settings nationally and many more children have benefited from its universal supports. AIM has also been recognised nationally and globally, winning awards for excellence in practice and inclusion.

Minister O’Gorman said:

“Every child should have access to high quality early learning and care.”

“The findings from the evaluation I published in January show the enormous difference AIM is making to the lives of children with a disability.”

“This extension will bring further benefits to these children and support access to early learning and childcare on a par with their peers.”

“This extension is among a suite of actions officials in my Department are taking to ensure we continue to build on the success of AIM to ensure, going forward, AIM works in the best interest of all children and families.”

Applications for these additional hours will open in the coming weeks for the 2024/2025 programme year.

While the AIM application process remains open year round, providers and parents are advised, where possible, to apply at least three months before the child’s planned start date in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, in order to ensure that the application can be processed in a timely manner.

 

Notes for Editor

The Access and Inclusion Model, AIM, enables children with a disability to access and participate meaningfully in the State-funded ECCE programme in mainstream settings to the same degree as their peers. AIM is based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability. AIM seeks to create a more inclusive environment in early learning and childcare settings, and achieves this by providing universal supports and targeted supports to settings, which focus on the needs of the individual child.

Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in early learning and care settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are not enough to meet the needs of an individual child, targeted supports are available. Targeted supports under AIM include:

  • Level 4: Expert educational advice/support from Better Start Early Years Specialists
  • Level 5: Capital grants for specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations for settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme.
  • Level 6: Access to therapeutic services from the HSE where critical to enable a child’s meaningful participation in the ECCE programme.
  • Level 7: Additional capitation for providers where needed to either reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to pay for additional assistance. Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the setting.

One of the commitments in First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, was to undertake an evaluation of AIM and, subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, to consider enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, all early learning and care services, all school-age childcare services and to children with additional needs other than a disability.

The AIM evaluation was published in January 2024. The findings have informed this expansion of targeted AIM supports to children beyond time spent in the ECCE programme, in term and out of term from September 2024. The intent of the additional hours funding is to support ECCE-enrolled children with a disability to access early learning and care outside of the ECCE programme if they wish to do so.

In addition to this, an action plan has been developed to respond to areas for improvement identified through the AIM evaluation, including increasing awareness of AIM, further building the capacity and confidence of educators and providers in supporting children with autism and streamlining the application process for equipment, appliances, and minor alterations.

Press Release

 

New pay agreement to provide pay increases for the early learning and childcare workforce – Ministers Higgins and O’Gorman

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail has today accepted proposals for new Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector. The Orders will commence on 24 June 2024 and will increase the minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in the Early Years Services Sector.

The Employment Regulation Orders apply to approximately 33,000 educators and it is estimated that 53% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result of the new Employment Regulation Orders.

Minister Higgins said:

“I am very pleased to approve these Employment Regulation Orders which will improve the hourly pay rates of approximately 33,000 educators in the early learning and childcare sector.

“Those working in the early learning and childcare sector provide an outstanding service to infants and children while offering invaluable support to growing families.

“This Government will continue to support and improve pay for those who work in the sector.

“The first Employment Regulation Orders for the sector was introduced in 2022 and has been very successful in providing stability, better staff retention rates, and improved pay and conditions for this workforce.

“I would like to thank the members of the Joint Labour Committee and those interested parties who made submissions as part of the public consultation for their contributions to this process. The Early Years Services Joint Labour Committee is a good example of how effective the reformed Joint Labour Committee system can be when representatives of employees and employers voluntarily negotiate together to identify a mutually beneficial agreement”.

Minister O’Gorman has welcomed Minister Higgin’s acceptance of the Early Years Services Employment Regulation Orders as they will deliver improved pay and conditions, will support career pathways, and will help to support the recruitment and retention of early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.

Minister O’Gorman said:

“Since becoming Minister, I have prioritised improving the pay and conditions of those working with children as I believe early years educators’ and school-age childcare practitioners’ pay and conditions should reflect the importance of the work they do.”

“Improvement in pay and conditions is essential if we are to recognise the important work that is done every day by those who work in this sector. It is also essential if we are to improve recruitment and retention and raise the profile of careers in the sector. And it is essential if we are to support the ongoing professionalisation of the sector.”

“While I very much welcome this, I recognise that pay in the sector still remains relatively low, however I remain committed to supporting further improvements in pay and conditions and aim to do this through Core Funding which, this year alone will increase by 15% to €331 million on last years allocation.”

“I would like to acknowledge the independent nature of the Labour Court and Joint Labour Committee process and the hard work of its members in negotiating the pay and conditions for employees in the early learning and childcare sector and I look forward to seeing further positive negotiations from this process in the future.”

Notes for editor:

These Employment Regulation Orders amend the 2022 Employment Regulation Orders for the sector which commenced on 15 September 2022 (SI No 458 of 2022 Employment Regulation Order (Early Years’ Service Joint Labour Committee) Order No 2 2022 – DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)

These amended Employment Regulation Orders increase the minimum hourly rates applicable from the 24 June 2024 as follows:

• Early Years Educators and School Age Childcare (SAC) Practitioners €13.00 to €13.65

• Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators €14.00 to €14.70

• Graduate Lead Educators (Room Leaders) and Graduate School Age Childcare (SAC) Coordinators €15.50 to €16.28

• Deputy/Assistant Manager €15.70 to €16.49

• Centre Manager €16.50 to € 17.33

• Graduate Centre Manager €17.25 to €18.11

The removal of the requirement for graduates to have three years experience before they are eligible for Graduate Lead Educator and Graduate Manager rates of pay from the Employment Regulation Orders will fulfil commitments made by the Minister O’Gorman in 2022 to widen access to the graduate premium under Core Funding. Services participating in Core Funding will be able to claim the graduate premium for all Gradudate Lead Educators and Mangers with degrees regardless of their experience.

One of the key objectives of Core Funding is to support the sector as a whole with the introduction of direct supply-side funding, in addition to the ECCE programme and the National Childcare Scheme, to create a more stable and sustainable financial environment.

Core Funding in Year 1 – with an overall allocation of €259 million contributed to services’ sustainability and significantly increased income for the overwhelming majority of services while providing greater funding stability. For Year 2 of Core Funding, the budget increased by 11% to reach €287 million, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.

€331m is being allocated for year 3 of Core Funding, an increase of €44m, or 15%. This will support the delivery of a range of enhancements in Year 3 of the scheme to support improved affordability and accessibility for families, improved pay and conditions for the workforce and improved sustainability for providers.

ENDS

New Pay Agreement Press Release

Minister O’Gorman announces record 150,000 children now availing of National Childcare Scheme subsidies

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Record 150,000 children now availing of National Childcare Scheme subsidies

• Number of children benefitting from subsidies increases by 25% compared to 2023
• Highest ever number of providers offering National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to families
nationwide
• Families invited to find out more about the NCS at Bord Bia Bloom 2024

31 May 2024

A record number of children – more than 150,000 – are now benefitting from the National Childcare
Scheme (NCS), with record numbers of providers now offer this Scheme to parents nationwide.

The figures are announced as parents and their children are invited to join the Department of
Children at the ‘Budding Bloomers’ section of Bord Bia Bloom. There, children will have the
opportunity to plant their own strawberries while parents may find out more about the supports
available to help reduce the cost of early learning and childcare. These supports include the
National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.

Staff from the Department, the City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal will be there to speak
with parents who would like to find out more about these supports.

Currently, the minimum hourly subsidy is €1.40 meaning families using full time early learning and
childcare (45 hours a week) will receive a minimum of €3,200 a year off their bill per child.
Many families can receive an Income Assessed Award, which is based on household income, which can
be as high €10,000 per year off their bill for childcare.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman said:

‘With the National Childcare Scheme more popular than ever, I’m keen that parents take
the opportunity to find out more about what supports are available to them. I’m thrilled to see
such a strong uptake since the increase in subsidies took effect as part of Budget 2023, and I hope
to see the number of families using the Scheme continue to increase.”

All families with children under 15 are encouraged to avail of the supports on offer
through the National Childcare Scheme by visiting www.ncs.gov.ie, or by calling the Parent Support
Centre on 01 906 8530.

The NCS subsidy may be used with any participating childcare provider, including those childminders
who are registered with Tusla. Currently, only a few childminders are registered. However, work is
underway through the National Action Plan for Childminding, to extend regulation to all paid non-
relative childminders. This will open the NCS to a much wider cohort of childminders. Parents are
encouraged to talk to DCEDIY staff about the new childminding regulations and what it will mean for
their families at this weekend’s festival.

Note for editors:
National Childcare Scheme
• Since 2 January 2023, the minimum hourly subsidy for families using registered early
learning and childcare is €1.40 per child – offsetting up to €3,276 in annual out of pocket costs
for early learning and childcare per child. Depending on their reckonable income, families may also
avail of a higher rate by applying for an income assessed award.

Further information on the Scheme, including how to apply, may be found on ncs.gov.ie.

• The National Childcare Scheme is one of a number of schemes under Together for Better, the
funding model for early learning and childcare that also includes the Early Childhood Care and
Education (ECCE) programme, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) and the Core Funding Scheme.

The new funding model is being backed by record levels of State investment in early learning and
childcare.

 

Issued by the Press and Communications Office at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,
Integration and Youth.

Tel: 01 539 3801

Email: media@equality.gov.ie

Information Session on the 2024 Childminding Development Grant

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The 2024 Childminding Development Grant was launched by Minister O’Gorman on Thursday 16th May 2024 and applications are now open until Friday 7th June at 5pm. This grant of up to €1,000, will provide assistance to existing and potential Childminder’s in purchasing items to enhance safety and quality in their childminding setting.

An Information Session on this year’s Childminding Development Grant will take place at Enterprise House, Carlow from 7-8pm on Wednesday 29th May 2024.

Booking is essential. Please contact Eilish at Carlow CCC on 059 9140244 or email eilish@carlowccc.ie for further information or to book your place.

 

Childminding Development Grants for 2024

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Minister O’Gorman launches the Childminding Development Grants for 2024

From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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  • Funding available increased to €500,000

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the opening of the 2024 Childminding Development Grant.

The total budget of €500,000 is double the budget announced in 2023. This increase reflects the high demand for the Grant in 2023. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for the planned extension of regulation, subsidies and supports to childminders from this autumn, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.

The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.

The Grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths), as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes later in the year.

The grants are open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2024. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.

Making today’s announcement, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Childminding Development Grant. I am committed to putting positive supports in place to help childminders, and the doubling of the budget for the Grant this year reflects this.

“In addition to quality and safety measures, this year childminders can apply for an IT grant, in advance of registration which will be opening to childminders later this year. Registration of childminders is a key component of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.”

For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0e0b7-minister-ogorman-launches-the-childminding-development-grants-for-2024/

 

2024 Student Fast Track

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Childcare Students can apply to DCEDIY for a Letter of Temporary Permission to Practice for the Summer of 2024.

DCEDIY has arranged an accelerated process for assessment of equivalence with the level 5 minimum qualification requirement for students currently enrolled on a recognised level 6, 7 or 8 course.

Students who are approved through the accelerated assessment process will receive a “Letter of Temporary Permission to Practice” from DCEDIY. A student who has such a letter may be employed to work directly with children attending an ELC service until at latest 1st of September 2024 (a student may also apply at the same time for a general – not time-limited – Letter of Eligibility to Practice).

The student’s Letter of Temporary Permission to Practice will be recognised by Tusla as meeting the requirements of Section 9(4) of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. A Registered Provider should keep a copy of the student’s Letter on file as evidence of temporary recognition.

A facility for advertising temporary posts is now available on www.myccc.ie. If you wish to advertise a temporary post on this site, please send your requirements/advertisement to Carlow County Childcare Committee by email info@carlowccc.ie. This vacancy can also be posted on Carlow CCC Jobs Boards and Carlow CCC Facebook page on request.

20240430 Student-Application-letter-Summer

DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications

Focus Group on the New Draft Childminding Regulations for Parents

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The Public Consultation on the New Draft Childminding Regulations have been launched recently and Carlow County Childcare Committee would like to invite parents to join our focus group on Wednesday 10th April @ 7pm in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow to give your views.

We want your voice to be heard before the regulations are finalised.

Please book your place by contacting Carlow CCC on 059 9140244 before 3rd April

Minister O’Gorman launches Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024

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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today launched the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024 as part of the Government’s First 5 Strategy. The Minister has secured funding of €250,000, which will be allocated to Parent and Toddler Groups nationwide through local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs). From today, Parent and Toddler Groups are invited to make an application for funding under this Initiative through their local CCC.

This year the emphasis will again be on supporting Parent and Toddler Groups that offer a welcome to Ukrainian families and to all families who are newly arrived in Ireland.

Following from the success of last year’s Grants, the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024 will offer two streams of funding:

1. Funding of €800 for existing Groups and €1,000 for the establishment of new Groups.

2. Funding of up to €300 to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians and young children. This stream is open to any existing or new organisations or Groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community.

Conditions apply and the CCCs are available to discuss these with new and existing Groups. The contact details for all CCCs can be found on myccc.ie.

In announcing this year’s Parent and Toddler Group Grant Initiative Minister O’Gorman said;

“First 5 the whole of government strategy for under 6’s recognises children’s early years as a critical and distinct period to be enjoyed.

“My Department helps families to nurture babies and young children and support their development, with additional support for those who need it.

 

“Parent and Toddler Groups provide a great meeting place for parents and guardians with young children to relax and chat together in a supportive environment while children can play.

“I want to thank all the Groups that are offering a welcome and friendship to parents and children in their communities as well as those newly arrived to Ireland. I am delighted to be able to support this work.”

Some parents shared their experiences of Parent and Toddler Groups:

“Thanks to this children’s club, my daughter very quickly adapted [to life in Ireland] and got used to the children, learned to play, make friends, share and much more. Since my daughter is only 2.5 years old, she does not attend full-time kindergarten; we, as parents, really like this type of children’s club. Once again I express my gratitude, you are the best!” – Parents from Lisdoonvarna Parent and Toddler Group.

“It is great to have this opportunity to contact with other families, chat with other parents and help our kids to learn how to play and communicate with each other.” – Parent from Lahinch Parent and Toddler Group

gov – Minister O’Gorman launches Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024 (www.gov.ie)