DCEDIY Announce Support Helpline for ELC/SAC Providers for Covid related queries for suspected and confirmed cases
ELC/Sac Providers please note there is a support helpline for Covid related queries for suspected and confirmed cases.
Important information on Covid-19 Operating Supports for the period 1 February – 5 March 2021
We would like to remind all services that the funding agreement for ELC/SAC funding measures covering the period 1 February – 5 March is currently available on the Early Years Hive until close of business on Friday, 26 February.
Please review the below important information in relation to the Covid-19 Operating Supports.
Application and funding agreement process
There are two steps services must successfully complete in this process. If your service has completed only one of the below steps, the process is incomplete and requires action.
- Go to My Account > COSP Emergency Measures and complete the calendar that is available on the My Account tab; and
- Go to Programmes, select Covid-19 Operating Supports, complete each page and accept the Contract Activation.
See the Technical Guidelines for further assistance with completing the application process. This document is available under the Funding Measures heading on Useful Links.
Important: An application cannot be amended once it has been submitted. Please ensure that all information is correct before submitting.
Service Types
Service providers must ensure that they identify themselves under the correct service type on the application.
| EECE only | ECCE only services include services that provide ECCE only with no more 30 minutes of additional of childcare paid for by parents. |
| ECCE and other programmes | A childcare service that provides ECCE and one or more additional childcare programmes i.e. NCS, CCSP or children attending in a private capacity etc. |
| Other Programmes but no ECCE | A childcare service that provides other childcare programmes i.e. NCS, SAC or children attending in a private capacity but does not provide ECCE. |
For example, a full time service that is contracted under ECCE but also has fee-paying children would be service type: ECCE and other programmes.
Closures
Mid-term closures
Service providers should ensure that the mid-term closures correlate to the scheduled midterm week on their ECCE calendars. Pobal check these before approval. If a service indicates they are closed for mid-term but have indicated they will be open on the ECCE calendar, we will decline the week and payment will not issue for that week.
Force Majeure closures
If services have previously submitted a force majeure for one of the first weeks in February, and have now indicated that they are open on the COSP Emergency Measures application, the week will be declined and payment will not issue for that week. Pobal will check against previous submissions.
Force majeure closures due to no demand will only be approved up to this week, and then on a weekly basis thereafter. Services are still required to submit weekly applications through Hive for the weeks after they submit the form.
Voluntary closures
All closures with a reason ‘Closed voluntarily’ will appear as declined on the Hive.
COSP Reviews
The window to submit COSP review requests closed on Monday 15th February. Review requests submitted after this date will not be considered.
Service providers with an outstanding COSP review should not submit the application form until the query has been resolved.
Payment schedule
Services that contracted by Monday, 15 February, and who have confirmed that they will be open for all weeks in the period, will be paid on Friday, 19 February. Service Providers who have indicated closed weeks in the period, will require review and on approval will be paid in the subsequent weekly payment runs.
Payments will be issued on a weekly basis from 19 February onwards.
Help and support
Please see the Funding Measures heading on the Useful Links page on the early Years Hive for guidance.
Should you have any queries in relation to the Covid-19 Operating Supports outlined above please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on Hive and selecting the following categories:
- Request Type Detail: COSP General Query
- Request Type: COSP
- Programme Request: Covid 19 Supports
Reminder**Level 7 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Early Childhood Education & Care Closing date is Friday 5th March 2021
Carlow CCC are happy to announce that the one year Level 7 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Early Childhood Education & Care will commence in IT Carlow in September 2021.
This programme will be part funded again in 2021/22 by Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet.
This is an excellent opportunity for those working in the Early Years sector in Co. Carlow to upskill to degree level.
Contact Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet via email admin@carlowkilkennyskillnet.ie
Closing date Friday 5th March 2021 **
Press release Minister O’Gorman welcomes re-appointment of Dr. Niall Muldoon as Ombudsman for Children
Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, today welcomed the re-appointment by the President of Dr. Niall Muldoon as Ombudsman for Children for a second six year term with effect from 17 February 2021.
The re-appointment follows the recent passing by both Houses of the Oireachtas of a motion, tabled by Minister O’ Gorman proposing that Dr. Muldoon be re-appointed.
In welcoming the re-appointment Minister O’ Gorman said that:
“since taking up the post of Ombudsman for Children six years ago, Dr. Muldoon has led the Office of the ombudsman for Children very effectively and has been a strong and necessary advocate for children.”
“Specifically, he has:
• ensured that children within the Direct Provision system can access the services of his Office after 17 years during which that was not the case.
• played a central role in developing and setting up the Barnahus One House Pilot in Galway, which offers a one stop shop for children affected by sexual abuse.
• brought the voices of seldom-heard children to the Oireachtas, through reports such as ‘No Place Like Home’, involving homeless children living in family hubs, and ‘Take My Hand’, involving in-patient children at adolescent psychiatric units.”
The Minister said that investigations carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, such as Molly’s case and Jack’s case, placed an important focus on care for disabled children. The Minister also welcomed the important systemic change such cases brought in areas such as Health, Education and Child Welfare.
The Minister concluded by saying that:
“I look forward to the Ombudsman for Children continuing to promote the welfare and rights of all children in Ireland during his second term of office.”
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
First5 Pre-school at home – Communicating…
Communicating is about all the opportunities in the day where we talk and listen to children. Your aim is always to give them opportunities to talk and expand their vocabulary.
Resources
A series of tipsheets under the banner Playing at Home have been designed to engage, inspire and support children and their families play and learn together.
Click on the below Link for more information
http://first5/pre-school-at-home/communicating
Fire Safety Capital Grant 2021 Announcement-New Closing Date is Friday February the 26th at 6pm.
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 Friday February the 26th at 6pm.
Pobal have been asked to highlight the following information for applicants:
- You do not need a Fire Cert before you can get a Fire Safety Assessment; this grant is designed to support services to get a Fire Cert.
- Please ensure your Fire Safety Assessment is Dated Pobal will check the date to confirm the Fire Safety Assessment falls within the allowed time frames.
Help and support
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:
– ELC Capital Grant query
2021 Compliance checks programme commencing Tuesday 22nd February 2021
The Department has worked to support Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing funding to ensure the continuity of care and sustainability of services, the Department has modified the compliance process to take account of public health advice and to reduce the administrative burden on providers at this time.
As services have a duty to claim funding in line with scheme rules and funding agreements, the Department also has a duty to ensure funding is being dispersed responsibly and for purposes intended to protect Exchequer Funding. For this reason, compliance checks will continue on a staggered basis during this restrictive period, beginning with checks on TWSCS funding from 2020. The checks will be carried out remotely and in full compliance with public health advice. Services will be required to submit relevant documents upon request to Pobal who will then assess them. This may involve additional correspondence where clarifications are sought. Services that have been directed to close by the HSE or that have previously participated in a TWSCS verification will not be expected to participate in the new round of TWSCS checks. These checks will commence on 22nd February 2021.
Advance notice will be given as compliance checks on other funded schemes commence in coming weeks. In accordance with public health advice, the compliance checks will be carried out remotely under level 3, 4 and 5 restrictions and will be desk based unless it is absolutely necessary to make onsite visits.
We want to take this opportunity to thank services in advance for their cooperation and participation in the verification checks in these exceptional times.
Regards,
DCEDIY
ECCE-Only services: funding measures for the period 1st February – 5th March 2021
The funding agreement for ELC/SAC funding measures covering the period 1st February – 5th March is now available on the Early Years Hive until close of business on Friday, 26th February.
Please note that it is a requirement for your service to continue to receive/retain funding for the period 1st February to 5th March that you complete and return this funding agreement before 26th February.
The following payments are available to closed ECCE-only service providers, subject to agreement to the terms and conditions:
- 100% payment for AIM
- Continued payment of 70% of the value of current ECCE registrations
- Access to Covid-19 Sustainability funding where a requirement is established
Please see the previous Announcement for further information and guidance.
Covid-19 Operating Supports for the period 1st February – 5th March 2021
The funding agreement for ELC/SAC funding measures covering the period 1st February – 5th March will be available on Hive from 10am today (Friday, 12th February) until close of business on Friday, 26th February.
All ELC and SAC services, including ECCE only services are requested to review the Frequently Asked Questions document to determine standard and/or enhanced funding levels available from February 1st to March 5th to and the terms and conditions of that funding based on the status and nature of your service (see questions 3 to 16 of the FAQs).
It is extremely important that you review the FAQs and are fully aware of the implications of signing/not signing this funding agreement for your service.
Following review of this material, and in order to receive certain funding described in the FAQs you will be required to sign-up for the terms and conditions.
Please see also the Funding Agreement Guidelines for further information and assistance.
Open/Closed Status including Force Majeure
To determine standard and/or enhanced funding levels, services must indicate on a weekly basis whether they are open or closed throughout the period 1st Feb – 5th March. If a service is closed, a reason must be provided and where necessary supporting documentation attached. Closure information will be reviewed and approved or declined as appropriate. This process will replace the current off-line Force Majeure for the week of submission only. Weekly Force Majeure due to lack of demand must be submitted on a weekly basis through normal processes.
Covid 19 Operating Support Payment (COSP)
Services eligible for COSP will be able to view their weekly COSP allocation as part of the contracting process. In order to receive COSP funding, eligible services must accept the terms and conditions of funding and if closed, have an approved closure period. (See Force Majeure above)
Services awaiting the outcome of a COSP review request, should not complete the contracting process until the review outcome has been finalised.
Payment Schedule
Services who have contracted by COB on Monday 15th February, and who have confirmed that they will be open for all weeks in the period, will be paid on Friday 19th February. Service Providers who have indicated closed weeks in the period, will require review and on approval will be paid in the subsequent weekly payment runs.
To ensure services are receiving funding as quickly as possible, payments will be issued on a weekly basis from 19th February onwards.
Further information on standard and enhanced funding is available here.
Help and support
Should you have any queries in relation to the Covid 19 Operating Supports outlined above please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on Hive and selecting the following categories:
- Request Type Detail: COSP General Query
- Request Type: COSP
- Programme Request: Covid 19 Supports
First5 Gov.ie Preschool at Home ideas for Well-being
Well-being is about children being confident, happy and healthy.
Resources
A series of tipsheets under the banner Playing at Home have been designed to engage, inspire and support children and their families play and learn together.
- Playing at home – Water play
- Playing at home – Music and movement
- Playing at home – Bowling at home
- Playing at home – Movement breaks
- Playing at home – Obstacle course
- Playing at home – Painting stones
- For more information Click on the Link http://first5.gov.ie/parents/pre-school-at-home/well-being