Let’s Play Ireland, is an annual government-led campaign designed to remind everyone, young and old, of the fundamental importance of play.
Play has never been more important, but during this time please follow the HSE advice on physical distancing and wash your hands. For more information go to hse.ie/coronavirus.
Parents, find helpful information on supporting children starting pre-school and primary school here:
A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC – 1800 940341 available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend
As announced at the launch of the National Participation Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making, we have opened applications for the Capacity Building Grant and Hub na nÓg Training to support implementation of the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making at the level of everyday practice. Please find attached the Capacity Building Grant and Hub na nÓg Training Application Form.
Capacity Building Grant Application 2021
The fund and training is open to organisations that provide services, programmes or projects to children and young people from the following sectors:
Please note that Arts Organisations supported under the LCYP pilot programme are not eligible to apply. Criteria for eligible sectors will be reviewed in subsequent years.
Eligible organisations are invited to apply for the training and grant which will enable participation in training from Hub na nÓg and to develop and/or purchase resources to support use of the ‘Everyday Spaces Checklist’ in their work with children and young people.
Awards of the grant and training will depend on demand and/or availability.
The application deadline has been extended. Applications must be sent by close of business, Monday 5th of July to: citizenparticipation@equality.gov.ie
We look forward to receiving eligible applications.
Best wishes,
Participation Team at Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Providers are reminded that the Programme Support Payments (PSP) 2021 will close for applications this coming Friday, 25th June at 5pm.
The PSP application is completed on the Programmes page of the Early Years Hive.
A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC – 1800 940341 available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend
Music, dance and movement can have a really positive impact on
children’s physical and mental wellbeing. Movement can occur indoors
or outdoors and adding music allows children to discover and develop
ways to be creative and express themselves. Music and movement
is a fun, active, engaging multi-sensory activity.
Published on
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has published the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2019/2020. This annual report – the eighteenth in the series – provides a detailed overview of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector in Ireland, including the numbers of children in receipt of state subsidies, information on ELC and SAC fees, staff wages, qualifications and turnover.
The report, which plays a central role in informing policy development and in assessing the impact of policy change, is based on a survey of ELC and SAC providers in Ireland and administrative data from Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) schemes. The report is produced by Pobal on behalf of the DCEDIY.
The Annual Early Years Sector Profile report is based on information collected at the end of June 2020during an unusual and challenging period, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when ELC and SAC providers were preparing to reopen. Despite the difficult circumstances almost 3,000 providers completed the survey, demonstrating their commitment to provide evidence for policy-making.
Speaking on the report Minister O’Gorman thanked all the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare providers who participated in the survey and reflected on some of the key findings and said:
“I am very pleased to publish the 2019/20 Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report. Undoubtedly, 2020 marked one of the most difficult years we have collectively faced and I recognise and applaud the leadership shown by services and staff in the context of Covid-19, putting children and their families and the heart of their work.
“Notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19, I am struck by the positive developments across the sector and through the data evidenced in this report. This report reveals another year-on-year increase in the number of children with additional needs receiving support under the Access and Inclusion model. The continued progress towards a highly qualified workforce is also very positive, with a significant increase in the number of staff qualified to level 7 or higher.
“High quality research and data are essential to developing the early learning and care system, and the data in this report will inform a range of significant policy initiatives underway to continue to develop and strengthen the sector. I offer my thanks again to all of those who took the time to participate”.
Anna Shakespeare, Pobal CEO added:
“For the past 18 years Pobal has been collecting important information about the Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare sector in Ireland through the Annual Early Years Service Profile. I welcome the publication of 2019/2020 report knowing that the information and analysis included in this report will be used to plan for accessible and quality early learning and care to all children in Ireland. Over the past year, this information has become even more important in helping the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to plan the response to the COVID-19 emergency and deliver measures to mitigate its impact on the sector. Pobal has been very proud to be able to work with DCEDIY on this.”
The Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2019/2020 is available to read in full here.
