Vacancies : Play Together Childcare are seeking applications from Early Years Educators for full-time, part-time and relief positions.
Play Together Childcare are seeking applications from Early Years Educators for full-time, part-time and relief positions.
Applicants should be qualified in Early Years Education and Care, minimum qualification level 6 QQI. Experience required, Montessori training is an advantage.
Send cv and cover letters to eleanor@playtogetherchildcare.ie
The 2021/2022 LINC Programme is now open for applications.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR LINC 2021/2022 AND WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, May 14, AT 4PM.
Click on the link lincprogramme apply now
Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC – 1800 940341 available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend.
A reminder of the Covid-19 Support Helpline for ELC and SAC – 1800 940341 available from 10am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm at the weekend.
National Action Plan for Childminding (2021-2028) Webpage
As you are aware the National Action Plan for Childminding (2021-2028) was launched yesterday evening.
The new childminding webpage www.gov.ie/childminding
On the website you can find the following information;
- National Action Plan for Childminding (2021 to 2028)
- Information for childminders on the National Action Plan for Childminding (2021 to 2028)
- Information for parents on the National Action Plan for Childminding (2021 to 2028)
- Covid Guidance
- Link to National Action Plan for Childminding (2021 to 2028) Facebook page
A FAQ document will be available next week
Press release Minister O’Gorman launches National Action Plan for Childminding (2021 – 2028)
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has today launched the National Action Plan for Childminding. The National Action Plan aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding, and sets out a phased approach to bringing childminders within the scope of State-funded supports and regulation over the period 2021-2028.
Childminding offers many benefits to children and parents, but until now has received little formal recognition by the State. Despite its many advantages and its continued popularity among parents, it has remained largely unfunded, unsupported and unregulated.
The extension of regulation to childminders, which is expected to happen within the first 2-3 years of the National Action Plan, will allow parents who use childminders to access subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme. In this way the Action Plan will support parental choice in type of provider of early learning and care and school-age childcare. Childminders will be supported to take part in the National Childcare Scheme at the earliest possible opportunity, provided they have completed initial training requirements and meet other core regulatory requirements (for example: Garda vetting, first aid) and go on to complete further training over a period of years.
A cornerstone of the National Action Plan is recognition of the differences between childminding and centre-based provision of early learning and care and school-age childcare. Given the home and family setting in which childminders operate, the National Action Plan will include development of new regulations and training that are specific to childminding, amendment of legislation to allow childminders to register with Tusla, and review of the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am delighted to be launching this important and long-awaited reform. Until now there has been very little State support for childminding or public recognition of the important role that childminders play. This National Action Plan, which stresses the distinctive features of childminding, will open up a range of supports to childminders and will bring many benefits to children, to their parents, and to childminders themselves.”
The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach to reform:
- Phase 1, which will be a preparatory phase lasting 2-3 years, will involve: review of regulations, development of bespoke training and supports, detailed costings, and further consultation
- Phase 2, which will be a transition phase lasting 3-5 years, will see new regulations coming into force, access opened to the National Childcare Scheme, transitional training requirements, and expansion of supports
- Phase 3 will involve full implementation, with the end of transitional arrangements, and childminders regulated and able to access multiple supports
Introduction of the National Action Plan was a commitment in First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families and the Programme for Government. Work began in 2016 on developing the proposals that lie behind the National Action Plan, with the establishment of a Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector. The Working Group’s recommendations, which were published in 2018, formed the basis for a Draft Childminding Action Plan, which was published by the department in 2019 for the purposes of public consultation. The findings of the public consultation process informed the development of the National Action Plan published today.
The National Action Plan mainly addresses self-employed childminders who work in their own homes. The Action Plan is not primarily concerned with childminders or nannies who work in the child’s home, and who are employees of the child’s parents, nor is the Action Plan primarily concerned with au pairs. The Action Plan does, however, include an action to develop information and training resources in relation to the use of nannies and Au pairs. The Action Plan will not extend regulation to those who solely care for children who are related to them.
Click into the link https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3384c-minister-ogorman-launches-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/
Press Release 14/04/21 Minister O’Gorman launches the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making
Minister O’Gorman launches the National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making
- The Participation Framework will support Departments, Agencies and Organisations to improve their participation practice with children and young people.
- Capacity Building Grant also announced to support implementation.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., today launched the ‘National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making’. The Minister also announced details of an associated Capacity Building Grant to support implementation of the Framework.
The Participation Framework supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their practice in listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making. It is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Developed by Hub na nÓg in association with Professor Laura Lundy, Queen’s University, the Participation Framework provides guidance and checklists for decision-makers on the steps to take in giving children and young people a meaningful voice in decision-making. The Framework has been developed in collaboration with policy makers at national and local level, teachers from early years to post-primary, gardaí, social workers, healthcare workers, arts professionals and others.
To support implementation of the Participation Framework, Minister O’Gorman also announced a new Capacity Building Grant for organisations seeking to improve their practice in involving children and young people in decision-making.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said:
“It is imperative that children and young people feel safe, supported and respected to use their voices across all aspects of their lives. I’m confident that this Framework with guide anyone working with children and young people to ensure that they can engage meaningfully in the policy process.”
The link to the framework :https://hubnanog.ie/participation-framework/
NPC Free workshops- Supporting your child`s positive mental health in the early years
The National Parents Council are running Free parent workshops titled “Supporting your child’s positive mental health in the early years”.
Register here – Early Years Mental Health Survey
This programme is developed to empower and give parents information on how they can support their children’s positive mental health through everyday interactions with their child.
NPC will be running webinars on this transition on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of April 2021. If you would be interested in attending (virtually) one of these webinars please register your details here.
Please note these sessions will be interactive allowing parents to participate and hence places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
If you would like any further information, please contact Clare Downey cdowney@npc.ie
National Parents Council Primary
Minister O’Gorman message to providers and parents returning to ELC & SAC on 12th April
A video message from Minister O’Gorman, in which he highlights some key messages for providers, practitioners and parents in ELC and SAC settings.
The Minister hopes you find the messages useful and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you, once again, for all of your hard work in maintaining a service for children and families at this time.
Click on the link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNJFnK6XbQ8