Childminding Development Grants for 2025

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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

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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.

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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.”

Notes

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

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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.

 

Core Funding February Review and Confirm

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Dear Service Provider,

The February Review and Confirm window will open from 1 February to 14 February 2025.

This process enables Core Funding payments to continue by facilitating Partner Services to review their most recent application information.

Partner Services can complete their Review and Confirm with two options available:

1. Review and Confirm with Changes

2. Review and Confirm without Changes

Prior to completing the Review and Confirm, Partner Services should:

• Ensure all data captured in the Service Profile is accurate and up to date for the 2024/2025 programme year.

• Ensure your Core Funding Application is at status ‘Approved’.  If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason for the refer back and then complete the February Review and Confirm process.

If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved’ Core Funding application record equal to or before 1 February, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm using the option of ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ either replacing the departed staff member or reducing your capacity.

Core Funding supports and training materials can be found under the Help and Support section of the Early Years Hive.

Core Funding Payments 

After the Review and Confirm window is closed, Core Funding payments will only continue to be processed as per the payment schedule on the Early Years Hive, provided your February Review and Confirm is at an ‘Approved’ status.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

 

 

Scheduled updates to the Early Years Hive on Thursday 30 January 2025

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Dear Service Provider,

The Early Years Hive will be temporarily unavailable on Thursday 30 January 2025 at 5pm for up to 6 hours.
During this time, a number of updates to the Early Years Hive will be released to ensure that both the system runs as smoothly as possible.
Afterwards you may need to refresh your web browser to access the portal again.
We try to hold these releases out of hours to reduce disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
The Early Years Team

Force Majeure for closures on Friday 24 January 2025,

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Dear Service Provider,

Services are reminded that they are not required to apply for Force Majeure for closures on Friday 24 January 2025, due to the nationwide red warning that was in place and instruction received from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

Services who were required to close for additional days or who may still be closed, should apply for Force Majeure to cover any closure day/s.

Funding may be recouped if a Force Majeure application is not submitted.

The application form can be found HERE and must be submitted via a Request on the Early Years Hive selecting the following dropdown options:

  • Request program type: User Account Management
  • Request type: Force Majeure
  • Request type detail: Standard Force Majeure

Regards,

The Early Years Team

Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme deadline extended

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Dear Service Provider,

As a result of the power outages across the country due to Storm Éowyn, the deadline for application submission has been moved to 12 noon on Thursday 30 January 2025.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

AIM Plus and AIM Non-term reviews submitted by 24 January 2025 eligible for backdated funding

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Dear Service Provider

Building Blocks – Extension Grant Scheme applications opened on the 12 December 2024.

This is the final deadline reminder that the application window will close at 12 noon on Monday 27 January 2025. There will be no extensions to this date. 

Please note: if applicants are experiencing any technical difficulties submitting the online application form, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a service request under the programme ‘Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme’ and selecting the relevant sub-categories.

For urgent queries over the weekend, applicants can contact: 087 2465933.

Application forms must be submitted via the online application form on the Building Blocks Application page of the Early Years Hive. Application forms should not be submitted by email, service request or post. Only application forms submitted via the online form will be accepted.

Please ensure all mandatory documents and supporting documents are attached to the online application form before submission.

For further information on the Building Blocks – Extension Grant Scheme, all the Applicant Guidelines are available on the Early Years Hive as well as an FAQ document.

Regards,

The Early Years Team