Upcoming Diversity Equality and Inclusion Training
Please see information on Carlow CCC upcoming Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion training. Note: Attendance at this training can be used towards hours under Equal Start and included on QIPP.
Email Jean@carlowccc.ie to book a place.
NPC Free Online Webinars: Supporting Your Child’s Transition from Preschool to Primary School
Dear Community,
The transition from preschool to primary school is a significant milestone for children and their families. To help support you during this time, the National Parents Council (NPC), in collaboration with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), is offering free online training sessions designed to provide practical advice and guidance.
📅 Session Dates and Times:
- Monday, 10th February at 7.30pm
- Tuesday, 11th February at 10am
- Wednesday, 12th February at 7.30pm
- Friday, 14th February at 10am
Session Details:
These sessions will be held online via Zoom and are structured into two parts:
1️⃣ Main Session – Led by an NPC trainer, this session will last approximately 70 minutes, providing practical strategies to support your child’s transition to primary school.
2️⃣ Optional NCSE Session – Following the main session, a Special Education Needs Officer (SENO) from the NCSE will deliver a 20-minute presentation on their role in primary schools and how they support children with special educational needs.
This optional session may be particularly helpful for parents of children with additional learning needs, but all parents are welcome to attend.
How to Register:
To join any of these free sessions, simply register using the link below. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
AIM Level 1 2024 reminder
Dear Service Provider
AIM Level 1 2024 reminder – It is still possible for services with new and existing Graduates of LINC to submit your AIM Level 1 application.
As AIM Level 1 is an annual application, if you currently have a qualified LINC graduate working in your service as an Inclusion Coordinator and have not submitted your AIM Level 1 2024 application, then we encourage you to apply for the 2024/2025 programme call.
Please note: AIM level 1 funding will commence from the Monday following approval of your application.
Applications must be submitted via the AIM Level 1 applications page of the Early Years Hive. Applicant guidelines can be found here.
Should you have any queries in relation to the AIM Level 1 application process, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request using the following categories:
- Programme: AIM Level 1
- Request type: Application
- Request type detail: How To
Regards,
The Early Years Team
Childminding Development Grants for 2025
Minister Foley urges childminders in County Carlow to avail of equipment grant
04 February 2025
Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is today calling on all childminders in County Carlow to avail of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
In 2024, the grants Childminders in County Carlow received assisted them in enhancing the quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) education. The grant was also used for the purchase of IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The grant scheme is open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant as one of the first actions in my term of office as Minister.
“Childminders play an essential part in the provision of childcare in all parts of the country, and I am fully committed to recognising and supporting their important role, and to following through on the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.
“I encourage childminders in County Carlow to avail of this funding opportunity, whether they are already registered or would like support in advance of registration over the next couple of years.
“The Childminding Development Grant provides funding for quality and safety equipment and can also be used to contribute to IT equipment.”
The total budget of €500,000 reflects the high demand for the grant in previous years. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for registration with Tusla. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, regulations written specifically for childminders came into effect for the first time in September 2024, making it possible for all childminders to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
Those childminders who were previously exempt from regulation have a three-year transition period until 2027 during which they are now able to register with Tusla but are not yet required to do so.
For further information about the Childminding Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, visit www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.
Áine Gahan from Carlow County Childcare Committee, said:
“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Childminding Development Grant has been a huge benefit to many childminders in County Carlow, helping potential Childminders with initial set up costs and assisting existing Childminders in providing a quality childminding service.’’
“Any current or potential childminder with any questions about applying for the grant is welcome to contact us on 059 914 0244.”
Applications for the 2025 Childminding Development Grant opened on Tuesday, 4 February and will close on Friday, 4 April.
ENDS
Garda Vetting Applications for Early Years Providers & Childminders
As you are probably aware from 4th February 2025, Tusla will provide the Garda Vetting Application Service for people who are Registered Providers of Early Years Services (including Childminders) or those applying for registration.
Who Can Apply through Tusla from February 2025?
Tusla will provide Garda Vetting for:
- Registered Providers of pre-school and school-age services
- Childminders
- Heads of Boards of Management (where the person is the Registered Provider)
- Quality assurance personnel acting on behalf of the chairperson
Who Cannot Apply through Tusla?
Tusla will not provide vetting for:
- Employees, volunteers, or cover personnel in childcare services
- Students on placement (must apply through their educational institution)
Vetting for these staff members must be obtained from Early Childhood Ireland.
Applications must be submitted via the new Tusla Garda Vetting Portal. Guidance materials will be available to support applicants.
To support Registered Providers and Childminders we have created a dedicated Garda Vetting section on our website, along with a Guidance Document and a pathway infographic
Additional information is available on the DCEDIY website here Garda Vetting for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) sector
Meeting with the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group.
Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton meet with the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton met with the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group.
Coming in the first week of the new government, the Ministers set out the government’s main priorities for the sector and its aim to make significant and tangible improvements to enable people with disabilities live full and independent lives, supported by access to person-centred services.
The Ministers emphasised a commitment to collaboration with the sector, in particular with disabled people, in working towards key objectives to deliver a step-change in disability services.
The group discussed some of the key challenges impacting the delivery of supports and services to disabled people, such as waiting lists for access to services, sustainability of services, and workforce recruitment and retention issues.
Expansion of services through the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, and its successor plan, will be a priority for the Ministers, as will making tangible improvements in the provision of services for children with disabilities and their families.
The group also discussed the forthcoming new National Disability Strategy, as well as the importance of breaking down silos to foster a whole-of-government approach to addressing the needs of disabled people in Irish society and advancing the aims of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Minister Foley said:
“I am extremely happy to meet the members of the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group today to discuss the urgent issues facing disabled people in Ireland. I am committed to working in partnership with everyone in the disability sector, including people with disabilities, families, carers, advocates and organisations to co-design improvements to services and prioritise the measures that are most important to them. This collaborative approach will be critical to meeting the challenges and delivering the step change that is required.
“I look forward to future engagements with disabled people and stakeholders across the disability sector in my role as Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.”
Minister Naughton said:
“The real experts here are the very people living with a disability, their carers and their advocates. As Minister, I will take their advice and learn from their lived experience when it comes to informing investment and reform. Meeting with stakeholders reinforces for me how much knowledge, wisdom and passion exists within the sector to help guide the process of embedding a person-centered approach in all that we do and in helping to fulfil the vision of the UNCRPD, providing all persons with disabilities in Ireland the opportunity and the means to live independent lives.”
The Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group (DSSAG) is a standing group of some of the key stakeholders from the disability sector. The group is comprised of members of disabled person’s organisations, advocacy organisations, service provider umbrella groups and statutory organisations. The group’s remit is to provide advice and make recommendations regarding high level disability policy and strategy. The Group also acts as the Monitoring Group for the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026.
The group is chaired by DCEDIY and includes representatives from:
- Disabled Persons’ Organisation Network
- The National Platform of Self-Advocates
- Inclusion Ireland
- Disability Federation of Ireland
- National Disability Services Association
- National Federation of Voluntary Service-Providers
- National Disability Authority
- Health Service Executive
Upcoming Always Children First (ACF) Foundation Training for Childminders
Carlow CCC and Wicklow CCC are delighted to offer ‘Always Children First (ACF) Foundation Training for Childminders’. This programme has been developed to support Childminders to understand their responsibilities under the Children First National Guidance and the Children First Act, 2015.
This training programme considers the unique position of Childminders and the home environment in keeping children safe from harm and will provide you with the resources and information to help you support children to grow, develop and achieve their full potential.
Prior to attending Always Children First Training, Childminders are required to complete the following eLearning Programmes:
Tusla’s Children First eLearning Programme
Tusla’s Mandated Person eLearning Programme
This training can be attended by childminders, their family members and emergency cover persons.
Our upcoming Always Children First (ACF) Foundation Training for Childminders will take place on Saturday, 8th March from 09.30am-4.30pm at Enterprise House, O’Brien Rd., Carlow. Please see flyer above.
For more information on upcoming ACF Foundation Training for Childminders or to book your place, please contact either Jean or Eilish at Carlow CCC on 059 9140244 or email info@carlowccc.ie, where we will be delighted to support you on this journey.
Further Child Safeguarding information, supports and resources can be found on the National Child Safeguarding Programme Website.