Reminder that this Friday the 11th of February is the closing date for new registrations for package one of LINC+, Communities of Practice in Early Learning and Care.
A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC providers– 1800 940341 is available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman T.D., has today (04 February) marked the Day of Hope and Recognition for early learning and care and school-age childcare by committing to continue increasing Government investment into the sector and supporting early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.
The Government has set out ambitious and wide-ranging reforms for the sector. These include: an overhaul of how the sector is funded; commitments to strengthen professional development and career pathways for educators and practitioners; and supports for improvements in pay and conditions.
Over the last twelve months, actions taken by Minister O’Gorman have included:
Commenting on the Day of Hope and Recognition, Minister O’Gorman said:
“During Covid-19, we all gained a much better appreciation of the work done by the professionals who work in early learning and care and school-age childcare. Through some of the darkest days of the pandemic, they kept their doors open, and made sure that our children had a safe and supportive environment in which to learn and develop.
“As early years educators and school-age childcare professionals mark their day of hope and recognition, I want to re-iterate that I am committed to making sure their pay and conditions reflect the importance of the work they do.
“Our ambition is for Ireland to have world-class early learning and care and school-age childcare, which helps children thrive, is affordable for parents, and values those who work in it. We are embarking on wide-ranging reform of the sector, and by working in partnership with providers and professionals, we can achieve that ambition.”
Carlow CCC are pleased to announce that the Level 7 Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice will commence in September 2022.
From September 2022, this level 7 will be a three-year programme. This part time programme, which is 50% funded by Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, is designed for practitioners or those working in the sector who wish to upskill.
This programme will run two evenings per week and approximately 6 Saturdays during the academic year.
Please see the attached documents including an FAQ and the Application form.
Application Form Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice 2022
Please note there will be an Information Evening on Tuesday the 22nd of February 2022 online
For more information you can Contact Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet on 059 9132152 or admin@carlowkilkennyskillnet.ie
Due to MyGovID website maintenance, it will not be possible to log on to the NCS website on Thursday 3rd February, from 8am until 10am approx.
HPSC updated guidance for algorithms for Asymptomatic / Symptomatic Close Contact and Cases and Symptomatic Individuals.
Please make sure you are always referring to the HPSC website for the most updated version on the Link below:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/newupdatedguidance/
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., today announced the launch of a consultation seeking the public’s views on the next national policy framework for children and young people.
Last week, Minister O’Gorman published the final Annual Report for the ‘Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures (BOBF) National Policy Framework for Children and Young People’. The next national policy will run from 2023 to 2028 and will build on the successes of previous strategies in improving outcomes for children and young people living in Ireland. It will involve Government Departments working collaboratively with statutory agencies and services, and the community and voluntary sectors to achieve the five national outcomes outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
This is the first of a range of consultations that will be carried out in the design and development of this new policy framework and will help identify the key issues for children, young people and their families. It will help to guide further consultations over the development of the new policy.
Launching the consultation, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I welcome this open consultation and hope that as many people as possible respond and give us their views. We want to hear from parents, from those working with and for children and young people and of course from children and young people themselves. I would particularly encourage children and young people to get involved and have your say through the survey or the mailbox. Tell us what is good and what is not so good in your lives, and what you think would make things better.
“This policy framework will set out the vision and priorities for the next five years, it will have a real impact on the systems and services that support children, young people and families. The knowledge and experience of parents and those working with or for children and young people will help us to develop a framework that delivers positive outcomes for children and young people, and will guide targeted consultations over the next six months.
“Use the survey or send us your views through the mailbox – send in pictures or drawings if you prefer. The most important thing is to get involved and give us your views.
“I am looking forward to seeing this policy framework develop over the next year. With the assistance of other key Government Departments and statutory agencies, our partners in the Community and Voluntary sector, and, most importantly, parents, children and young people, we will make the improvements and changes needed to ensure that Ireland is a great place in which to grow up and raise a family.”
