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:
| 29th September | All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to your niamh@carlowccc.ie no later than 5PM on Friday 29th September 2022. |
| Week of 13th November | CCCs pay approved applicants |
Press release: Minister O’Gorman Launches the 2023 Childminding Development Grant
Press release
Minister O’Gorman Launches the 2023 Childminding Development Grant
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the opening of the 2023 Childminding Development Grant.
With a total budget of €250,000, 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 the enhancement of quality and safety in the service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, and equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths).
It is open to registered and unregistered childminders as well as those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2023.
For the first time, 75% of the grant will be 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 2023 Childminding Development Grant. The welcome changes to the grants for 2023 are a direct result of feedback from childminders and other stakeholders on the Funding and Financial Supports Advisory Group, which was set up to assist in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. The involvement of childminders themselves is central to the design and the delivery of the National Action Plan for Childminding.
“In parallel with enhancements to this year’s Childminding Development Grant, my Department continues to progress other actions in Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, including the drafting of childminder-specific regulations that will be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.
“Once introduced, the childminder-specific regulations will enable a much wider cohort of childminders and parents to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme. The drafting of childminder-specific regulations, and associated legislative reform, is under way at present, and consultation on the draft regulations will take place in the coming months.”
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.
Aistear- The Journey Continues, Saturday 6th May, 9.30am to 2pm, DCU, Dublin 9.
Aistear- The Journey Continues
On Saturday 6th May 2023, you are invited to discuss, share and engage with research and practices that emerged from the recent review of literature to support the updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework completed by researchers and academics at DCU Institute of Education.
This engaging and interactive event will include seminars, small group workshops and showcasing of practice that provide an opportunity to consider how research and evidence informs and enhances curriculum development in an Irish context.
Join us for an exciting day of knowledge exchange, critical reflection, practical workshops and connection with friends, allies and colleagues in early childhood care and education.
DATE: Saturday 6th May 2023
TIME: 9.30am- 2pm
WHERE: DCU Institute of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/609256160577
Aistear – Leanann an t-aistear
Cuirtear fáilte mhór romhat freastal ar ócáid speisialta a bheidh dírithe ar an taighde agus ar na cleachtais a eascraíonn as léirmheas litríochta a rinne grúpa taighdeoirí in Institiúid Oideachais Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath d’fhonn tacú le huasdátú a dhéanamh ar Aistear: Creatchuraclam na Luath-Óige. Beidh an ócáid speisialta ar siúl ar an Satharn an 6 Bealtaine 2023.
Is ócáid spreagúil agus idirghníomhach a bheidh ann ina mbeidh seimineáir, ceardlanna i ngrúpaí beaga agus samplaí praiticiúla de dhea-chleachtais. Tabharfar deis do rannpháirtithe machnamh a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a chuireann taighde agus eolas atá fianaise-bhunaithe barr feabhais ar fhorbairt curaclaim i gcomhthéacs na hÉireann.
Ba mhór againn tú a bheith linn ar an lá spreagúil seo le heolas a roinnt, machnamh criticiúil a dhéanamh agus páirt a ghlacadh i gcomhráite le cairde agus comhghleacaithe i gcúram agus in oideachas na luath-óige.
DÁTA: Dé Sathairn 6 Bealtaine 2023
AM: 9.30 r.n.- 2 i.n.
ÁIT: Institiúid Oideachais, DCU
CLÁRÚ: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/609256160577
Grainne McKenna
Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
Scoil na Teanga, na Litearthachta agus an Oideachas Luathóige
School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education
Institiúid Oideachais OCBÁC DCU Institute of Education
Campas Phádraig OCBÁC DCU St Patrick’s Campus
Droim Conrach Drumcondra
Baile Átha Cliath 9 Dublin 9
Email: grainne.mckenna@dcu.ie
Tel: 01 700 9044
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4037-8721
Recent Publications
Scanlon, G., Radeva, S., McKenna, G., & Maguire, C. (2022). Together from kindergarten: Exploring quality to inform inclusion in early childhood settings in Bulgaria. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 0(0), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2022.2127823
Murphy, S., McKenna, G., Downes, P. (2019). Educational Gaps and Future Solutions: A study of the holistic educational needs and experiences of a sample of homeless men in Dublin aged 18-38 Years. Dublin: Peter McVerry Trust.
Scanlon, G., McKenna, G. (2018). Home Works: A study on the educational needs of children experiencing homelessness and living in emergency accommodation. Dublin: Children’s Rights Alliance.
O’Sullivan, C., Maguire, J., Hayes, N., O’Sullivan, S., Corcoran, L., & McKenna, G. (2018). The wonder project: An early years arts education project with Traveller mothers and their children. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 1-27. doi:10.1080/1350293X.2018
Carlow County Childcare Committee: Programme & Finance Officer (Part Time)
Carlow County Childcare Committee CLG is seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced people for the role of
Programme & Finance Officer
Permanent Part time (minimum 20 hours per week)
Closing date for the receipt of applications is Tuesday 4th April at 5pm.
Candidates will be short listed based on information supplied in their application form and covering letter.
Please send a copy of your completed application form, together with a covering letter to: chairperson@carlowccc.ie
Interviews will be held during the week 17th April 2023
Carlow County Childcare Committee CLG is an equal opportunities employer
Review of Special Education Legislation: The Department of Education wants to hear your views on your personal experience with Special Education
The Department of Education is responsible for supporting schools all around the country. We want to hear from students who have special educational needs, who are in school or recently finished school about your experience in school. We also want to hear from parents, teachers, special needs assistants, school staff and members of the public about your experience with the special education system.
There is a law that governs how education is provided to students with special educational needs. This law is known as the EPSEN Act 2004.
It has been the law for about 18 years.
The Department is looking at this law, to see if it is suitable and if it works in the way that it should.
Part of looking at the law to see if it works properly is hearing from you about what you think about your experience of the school system.
We want to hear what you think – what works well and what could work better?
There is a set of questions online that you can answer, or you can tell us what you think by sending your ideas about education for children and young people with special educational needs to epsen@education.gov.ie.
These surveys may be found at the following links:
- Survey for students and young persons who have left the education system – Survey for Students and Persons who have left the education system
- Survey for staff – Staff Survey
- Survey for parents and members of the public – Survey for Parents and Members of the public
- Individuals or organisations that wish to make a submission to the review – Open Submissions
Further details can be accessed in the consultation paper at this link Consultation Paper
The closing date for survey and open submission responses is 24th March 2023.
DCEDIY Update on Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector
Damien English T.D., Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail has today accepted proposals for Employment Regulation Orders for the Early Years Services Sector. The Orders will commence on 15 September 2022, providing new minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in the Early Years Services Sector as follows:
• €13.00 for Early Years Educators/ School-Age Childcare practitioners;
• €14.00 for Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators;
• €15.50 Graduate Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators
• €15.70 for Deputy Managers;
• €16.50 for Managers; and
• €17.25 for Graduate Managers.
The Orders are being supported by Government’s €221m Core Funding Scheme, announced by Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of Budget 2022, which will see increases in funding to early learning and childcare services to support improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees. The commencement date for the Orders – 15 September – coincides with the official launch of Core Funding.
Minister O’Gorman has welcomed Minister English’s acceptance of the Early Years Services Employment Regulation Orders as they will deliver improved pay and conditions for the large majority of those working in the sector, will support career pathways, and will ensure improved minimum rates of pay for all those considering entering the Sector.
Minister O’Gorman said:
“I have always said that I believe early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners need their pay and conditions to reflect the importance of the work they do. Today’s announcement is an historic first step towards that”.
“Since I became Minister with responsibility for early learning and childcare, I have been focused on reducing costs for parents, improving sustainability for providers and importantly improving quality for children”.
“Yet low pay and conditions as well as limited opportunities for progression has made it difficult to attract and retain staff in the sector – and it is the staff who are key to the quality of children’s experiences”.
“Through these first Employment Regulation Orders for the sector, I hope that early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners can now see a real future for themselves in a job that gives so much to children, their families and to society more broadly”.
“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”.
The Employment Regulation Orders apply to approximately 27,000 staff.
It is estimated that 73% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result of the Employment Regulation Orders with the wages of 50% of employees in the sector expected to rise by 10% or more, and the wages of 20% of employees are expected to rise by 20% or more.
DCEDIY Press release: Minister O’Gorman encourages families to access the National Childcare Scheme, 4th September 2022
Minister O’Gorman encourages families to access the National Childcare Scheme as survey shows more than half are unaware of State supports
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on 4 September 2022
Last updated on 6 September 2022
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has today urged parents to avail of supports available to them under the National Childcare Scheme, including new supports introduced in recent days.
Since 29 August, universal subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme has been extended to all children under 15 using registered childcare. Up to 40,000 are estimated to benefit by up to €1,170 per annum.
Commenting Minister O’ Gorman said:
“Many parents find it difficult to pay for childcare. Results from a recent survey show however that many parents are not yet claiming their entitlement under the National Childcare Scheme and that awareness of supports under the National Childcare Scheme is low. An awareness raising campaign, led by my Department, is now underway.
“I would encourage parents to visit www.ncs.gov.ie, call the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 or talk to their childcare provider to make sure they are fully availing of the new and existing financial supports under the Scheme.”
Results from a nationally representative survey of more than 500 families, undertaken in July by Ipsos MRBI, found that:
Less than half (48%) of parents were aware of supports available under the National Childcare Scheme
32% of parents using regulated early learning and care for children not yet in school reported they did not receive any State subsidy, despite many having an entitlement to support under the National Childcare Scheme.
80% of parents using regulated school-age childcare reported they did not receive any State subsidy.
Since 29 August, all children under 15 in regulated school-age childcare are entitled to supports under the National Childcare Scheme.
Looking ahead to Budget 2023, Minister O’Gorman said:
“Significant investment is being made by my Department to support parents with the costs of early learning and childcare.
“I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and I am committed to securing further investment in the National Childcare Scheme in Budget 2023.
“Together with the new €221m Core Funding Scheme, which requires early learning and childcare providers to freeze fees as well as to offer the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme to all eligible children, I anticipate substantial reductions in out of pocket costs for early learning and childcare for parents going forward.”