Press release-Advice to early learning and care and school-age childcare services regarding Storm Barra

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Due to the significant nature of Storm Barra, as forecast by Met Éireann and to give sufficient notice to early learning and care and school age childcare services and parents/guardians, the department is advising that all early learning and care and school-age childcare services covered by the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann should not open tomorrow on 7 December.

All services should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.

Services which close due to Storm Barra will receive Force Majeure funding.

See below for full Press Release

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/21bae-press-statement-storm-barra-department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth-advice-to-early-learning-and-care-and-school-age-childcare-services/

Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC Providers – 1800 940341

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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 only.

Please also make note of the Covid support helpline times for over the festive period.

Press Release 01/12/2021 Minister O’Gorman publishes the findings of a 12-Month Review of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

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  • Review reveals the National Childcare Scheme is having a positive impact on use of early learning and childcare, workforce participation and family finances.

Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has today published the findings of a 12-Month Review of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).

The Review, which was undertaken by independent consultants, looked at the experience of families accessing the NCS during the first year of operation as well as the experience of providers offering the Scheme. An analysis of application data, including processing times and NCS subsidies awarded was also undertaken, in addition to engagement with key stakeholders.

Findings from the Review point to a number of positives for families accessing the NCS, with large proportions of parents reporting that the Scheme had positively impacted their use of early learning childcare, their engagement in work or study and their family finances.

The report found that:

  • Overall, 38% of families reported that half or more of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS.
  • More than half (56%) reported that the Scheme meant they had more money to spend (with 11% reporting they had much more money to spend).
  • Just over a quarter (26%) reported that they were using more early learning and childcare.
  • Just over a quarter (28%) reported that they were working more (with 8% reporting they would not be in work without the NCS).

The Review also found that the majority of families applied online for support under the NCS, with 66% of these applications processed within one day and 29% processed within 2 to 10 days. Moreover, most families found the application process easier than expected.

Findings from the Review also identified some emerging issues with the Scheme that need to be addressed, including low awareness of the Scheme among parents, administrative issues experienced by providers and barriers for some families accessing supports under the Scheme, including through the NCS sponsorship arrangements.

In parallel with the publication of the 12 Month Review of the National Childcare Scheme, the Minster also published a Work-Study Test Evidence Review.

The findings from both Reviews have already informed enhancements to the National Childcare Scheme announced in Budget 2022, specifically:

  • An extension to the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15 from September 2022, benefitting up to 40,000 children.
  • An end to the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours from spring 2022, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families.

In addition to this, an action plan has been developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Youth and Pobal (the NCS Administrator) that will respond to emerging issues with the Scheme.

Announcing the publication of the reports, Minister O’Gorman said:

“Government is committed to making high-quality early learning and childcare affordable and accessible to all children.

“The findings from the Review published today show the National Childcare Scheme has brought us some distance to realising this commitment– with families reporting that supports under the National Childcare Scheme has increased their use of early learning and childcare, their engagement in work or study as well as improved their family finances. The enhancements to the NCS I announced as part of Budget 2022, informed by the findings from this Review, will bring further benefits to these and other families.

“The Review did identify some emerging issues with the Scheme – among vulnerable families and among providers. Officials in my Department are taking the necessary actions to address these issues to ensure going forward this scheme works in the best interest of all children and families, and administrative issues identified by providers are reduced.”

Press Release from Minister O’Gorman to host Youth Climate Justice Fund Outcomes Event.

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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., will host a virtual Outcomes Event at 5pm today (30 November) to celebrate the initiatives carried out by young people with support from the Youth Climate Justice Fund.

The Youth Climate Justice Fund was established in 2020 following on from the United Nations’ focus on youth engagement as part of the global response to climate change. The purpose of this Fund is to support youth-led action on climate justice at community, regional and national level.

Since the launch of the Youth Climate Justice Fund in March 2020, young people and youth organisations have innovated and collaborated to advance a range of initiatives within the areas of network-building and communications, research, awareness-raising, influencing policy-makers, the development of resources and digital tools and introducing practical climate justice changes within their communities.

The Outcomes Event will be an opportunity for young people involved in projects to share their experiences of project delivery and their perspectives on the future development of the Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Ahead of today’s event, Minister O’Gorman commented:

“The vision of my Department is for a fair, equal and inclusive society where rights are respected, and where everyone can reach their potential. I am delighted that the Youth Climate Justice Fund has given young people the opportunity to develop their own potential through working on these projects while also contributing to the shared effort to protect the rights and potential of all young people across the world as well as those of future generations.”

The Minister also warmly thanked President Michael D. Higgins who will provide the opening message at this evening’s event.

President Higgins commented:

“Throughout the world, young people and the youth sector have been at the vanguard of efforts to tackle climate change. Young people have demonstrated time and again how well informed and acutely aware they are of the threat that climate change poses, as well as it’s uneven and unequal impacts.”

In the lead up to the event, young people involved in funded projects over the past two years have participated in a series of facilitated roundtable consultations and have shared what they have learned and gained through participating in Youth Climate Justice Projects as well as how the Fund might best support young people going forward.

The views of the young people will be used to inform an internal assessment of the Fund, with recommendations to be made to Minister O’Gorman before year end 2021

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/66883-minister-ogorman-to-host-youth-climate-justice-fund-outcomes-event/

Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC Providers – 1800 940341 for the Weekend

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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 only.

Please also make note of the Covid support helpline times for over the festive period.

 

START Webinar – Let’s go easy on treats- Thursday 25th November from 7.30pm

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Research carried out to inform the current phase of the START campaign highlights that while parents and guardians are interested to reduce the amount of treat foods, like crisps, chocolate, biscuits, their children are consuming, they often find it difficult.  These type of foods are the 2nd most consumed food group by children.  The Food for Life guidelines say that these type of foods are not needed and recommend that when consumed it should be ‘very little, and not every day’.

 

To help parents make a start to reducing treats we are hosting a START webinar with nutrition, health and parenting experts on Thursday 25th November at 7:30pm.

 

Please find the invitation to the webinar below.  You’ll find further information and registration details by clicking here

 

We look forward to you joining us on 25th.  Do share this invitation with colleagues and parents within your networks.

 

Kind regards

 

Sarah O’Brien

 

HSE National Lead – Healthy Eating Active Living Programme

Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC Providers – 1800 940341

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A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC Providers – 1800 940341 is available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm for the weekend only.

Press release Minister O’Gorman announces second phase of Little Library Initiative providing free book bags for all childcare services

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Minister O’Gorman announces second phase of Little Library Initiative providing free book bags for all childcare services

  • Launch of the second phase of the First 5 Little Library initiative sees reading materials made available to approximately 200,000 children
  • First 5 Little Library book bags will be available to Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services from libraries throughout the country to support children’s early language and literacy development.

Click into the link below to bring you direct to the Press Release:

Gov.ie Press Release – Little Library

Better Start Webinar Wednesday 24th of November 7-8pm

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Join us to learn about the professional development opportunities available to you and your team when you engage with the Quality Development Service.

Click in below to book your place

Better start webinar