**Information for Parents**National Child Safeguarding Programme

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**Information for Parents**
When your child starts in a Childcare setting, be it full day care, sessional or part time care or with a childminder, it can be a very stressful time for parents. Your first priority as a parent is the safety and welfare of your child and you’ll be delighted to know that this is also a main priority for providers of early learning and care for children.
Click in below for more information

Re: Storm Franklin – Arrangements for ELC and SAC Services – Monday 21 February 2022

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Re: Storm Franklin – Arrangements for ELC and SAC Services – Monday 21 February 2022

*Issued by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on 20/02/2022*

We are writing to you today (Sunday, 20 February) regarding preparation and arrangements for Storm Franklin which is hitting our shores today and through the night (20/21 February).

As at 10.34 today, Met Eireann has issued Status Orange wind warnings for:

  • Clare (valid from 12:00 on Sunday, 20 Feb to 00:00 on Monday, 21 Feb),
  • Galway and Mayo (valid from 15:00 on Sunday, 20 Feb to 03:00 on Monday, 21 Feb) and
  • Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo (valid from 19:00 on Sunday, 20 Feb to 07:00 on Monday, 21 Feb).

The Department advises that as was the case last week for Storm Eunice – all early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services subject to Orange Wind warnings as listed above should open as normal tomorrow morning (Monday, 21 Feb) – unless local conditions are such that it is unsafe to do so (e.g. fallen trees and power lines etc.)

All other counties (not listed above) in the country should also open as normal tomorrow.

The Department strongly recommends that you regularly review the Met Eireann website throughout the day and early in the morning for any further updates.

In the event that any counties are upgraded to red wind warning or orange snow warning (today or in the morning) ELC and SAC services in these counties should close on Monday.

With regard to arrangements for force majeure payments:

  • In the event that red wind warnings or orange snow warnings are issued (today or in the morning) for certain counties for Monday  – ELC and SAC services located in these counties are not required to apply for force majeure.
  • ELC and SAC services located in counties not subject to red wind warnings or orange snow warnings that close tomorrow due to adverse local conditions must apply for force majeure. Pobal will contact all services in this regard.

We trust the above provides you with certainty as to the current position in terms of the opening/closing of ELC and SAC services tomorrow.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and stay safe.

Kind regards,
Early Years Communications Team
Early Years Division

Reminder of the 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

 

 

Next Friday February 25th is #IrelandsReads Day

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Next Friday February 25th we’re inviting people of all ages to get reading. Why? Because taking some time for yourself to relax and do the things you enjoy (like reading) is important to help look after your mental wellbeing. #IrelandReads #SqueezeInARead

Better start Information webinars

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

Three information sessions will take place online via MS Teams:

* Wednesday, 23 February: 3.00pm-4.00pm

* Wednesday, 23 March: 7.00pm-8.00pm

* Wednesday, 27 April: 3.00pm-4.00pm

 

For more information, take a look at this video: https://vimeo.com/665664457/df1040b890.

 

Register by clicking below:

* 23 February: https://bit.ly/3uRhBjG

* 23 March: https://bit.ly/3uVfFGW

* 27 April: https://bit.ly/3JxOCWr

Open evening on Tuesday 22nd February from 6pm for the Level 7 Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice.

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Open evening on Tuesday 22nd February from 6pm for the
Level 7 Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and Practice. Sign up below
Zoom Link will be sent out closer to the time

**Service Providers** **Upcoming Always Children First Foundation Training**

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**Service Providers**
**Upcoming Always Children First Foundation Training**

#IrelandReads again this year – Ireland Reads Day, Friday, February 25th.

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Carlow County Library are reminding us all about #IrelandReads again this year in an effort to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up Ireland Reads Day, Friday, February 25th.
Find out about all that’s happening for Ireland Reads, get book recommendations and take the pledge to read on Friday, February 25th at www.irelandreads.ie

 

https://www.irelandreads.ie/?fbclid=IwAR0b0VZKKy7bPghdzaJX9PrW87FnehEefnExWZNon2T6jftuRkWZJAWrxqw

First5 Continuing professional development resources for practitioners

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**Providers**
A key objective of First 5 is to improve Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for all those who work in early learning and care and school-age childcare settings.

Living with Covid Public Health Poster Feb 2022

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Living with Covid Public Health Poster Feb 2022

COVID 19 Symptoms, Cases and Contacts