Please see the link below to a video from DCEDIY on the phased reopening of early learning & care services and school age childcare services.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hfomokzr58
The LINC programme. Registration is open until Friday 26th March 5pm
To be eligible to participate in this programme, you must have graduated from the Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years Level 6 Special Purpose Award.
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration must be completed online at www.lincprogramme.ie.
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http://www.barnardos.ie/learning-development/training/online-safety-programme/for-parents
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have extended the closing date for the Capital 2021 Fire Safety Grant.
The new Closing Date is Tuesday 2nd March at 6pm.
Please note the following information for applicants:
Should you have any queries in relation to the information outlined above please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on Hive and selecting the following category:
A new national day to celebrate reading, Ireland Reads is all about promoting the power of reading for enjoyment and well-being.
Children who read a lot when they are young are more likely to become lifelong readers.
Ireland Reads is encouraging everyone, young and old, to squeeze in a read on Thursday, 25 February.
The tipsheet under the banner Playing at Home and videos below have been designed to engage, inspire and support children and their families to read together.
Click on this Link for First5 Ireland Reads
The funding agreement for ELC/SAC funding measures covering the period 1 February – 5 March closes at 5pm tomorrow, Friday 26 February.
Important: There are two steps services must successfully complete in this process. If your service has completed only one of the below steps, then your application is still in ‘draft’ and requires action.
1.Go to My Account > COSP Emergency Measures and complete the calendar that is available on the My Account tab; and
2.Go to Programmes, select Covid-19 Operating Supports, complete each page and accept the Contract Activation.
Please the Technical Guidelines for further assistance with completing the application process. This document is available under the Funding Measures heading on Useful Links.
Click for Link to Press Release
Minister O’Gorman announces gradual lifting of restrictions on delivery of early learning and childcare services from 08 March
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Since January, early learning and childcare services have been restricted to children of essential workers and vulnerable children only and the ECCE pre-school programme has been suspended.
As part of a careful and cautious reopening of priority sectors of society and the economy, early learning and childcare services will open for other groups of children throughout March on a phased basis.
From 08 March, there will be a return to normal funding arrangements under Department funding schemes. A Covid-19 Operating Support Payment (COSP) introduced in February will be extended until 26 March for eligible services. This will help to offset loss of parental fees for services which are highly reliant on private income.
Services continue to be eligible for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and are exempt from the turnover rule. The EWSS has been extended until end June.
Outlining the arrangements, Minister O’Gorman said:
“Since January, the early learning and childcare sector has continued to operate for priority groups. This has been a difficult period for everyone across the country, and I would like to pay tribute to staff, service providers, and parents for their efforts during this time.
“It is our intention that the ECCE pre-school programme will resume from 08 March. This Programme significantly contributes to children’s early learning and development experiences and is particularly beneficial to children who have additional needs or experience disadvantage. It is also an important foundational stage that will prepare children transitioning to primary education this September.
“Subject to public health advice, other restrictions on access to early learning and childcare will be lifted on 29 March so that all other children can return to services. This cautious and phased reopening schedule is essential as we work towards a safe resumption of all early learning and childcare services.
“Additional funding, based on the funding arrangements which were introduced from 01 February to 05 March, will continue until 26 March so that services can remain open, even at very low levels of occupancy. This will ensure services can continue to waive fees for parents not using a service at this time.”