Guidance for Providers and Practitioners [Updated 08/12/2022]

This section contains a number of resources that have been developed to guide and assist providers and practitioners for the reopening and operation of their service(s) during COVID-19.

HSE Public Health Advice (08/12/2022)

School, childcare and COVID-19 – HSE.ie

Management of Infectious Diseases in Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare Settings – https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/lifestages/childcare/File,13444,en.pdf

HSE Viral and Bacterial Infections Memo: 20221207-HSE_Memo_CCFs.pdf

Digital pack For Pre-school and Childcare Practitioner

To help practitioners limit the spread of COVID-19 and other infections, a digital pacHSE-MyChild-viruses-childcare-poster-irish-printk is available with various resources and information on the prevention of viral and bacterial infections. You can download the digital pack for use in your pre-school or childcare setting through the links below.

Guidance for you and your sector

School, childcare and COVID-19 – HSE.ie

The HSE are seeing a significant increase in the rates of RSV infection; a respiratory virus which causes Bronchiolitis in young children. Symptoms of bronchiolitis usually include a runny/blocked nose, mild fever and cough. In babies, however, it can cause more significant difficulties in breathing and feeding and young babies are more likely to need hospital care. More details on Bronchiolitis can be found here:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bronchiolitis/

The 30 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) are also available to provide advice and support to early learning and care and school age childcare services. Contact details for your local CCC can be found at www.myccc.ie.

HSE Public Health operates a dedicated helpline for ELC/SAC services that provides support for services with a confirmed case of COVID-19. You can access the helpline on 01-5119777.

Practice Supports [Updated 6th May 2021]

This section provides tailored information for Practice Supports.

Pre-school at Home Hub

The Department has established a Pre-School at Home Hub to support parents and practitioners. The Preschool at Home Hub has lots of new and existing resources in one convenient place. Early Learning and Care settings have been asked to connect with families to support the children in their setting. Some guidance to support you in relation to connecting with parents is provided below.

To visit the Pre-school at Home hub click on the link here:  Pre-School at Home Hub

  • Connecting with Parents guidance document can be [Downloaded here]
  • Minding your Wellbeing programme [Available Here]
  • Wellbeing webinar for practitioners “Because You Matter: Caring for Self in order to care for others.” Presented by Anthony Semann (Australia) [Available Here]
  • Working together with parents, (DYCA) [Download here].
  • Supporting Children’s Emotional wellbeing in Transition to ELC, (Barnardos) [Download here].
  • Short animated video on returning to childcare for children, (DCEDIY) [Watch here].
  • Practice case study, [Download Case Study]
  • Barnardos have developed a new tip sheet for early years providers on renewing teamwork as settings prepare to reopen. Click here.

FAQs will continue to be updated at appropriate intervals

Health Guidance [Updated 13 December 2022]

The priority for Early learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) settings in Ireland operating during COVID-19 will be to ensure the health and safety of children, families and staff, while continuing to ensure quality practice to support children’s well-being, learning and development. This section provides some helpful documents on health and safety.

Guidance for you and your setting

The HSE are seeing a significant increase in the rates of RSV infection; a respiratory virus which causes Bronchiolitis in young children. Symptoms of bronchiolitis usually include a runny/blocked nose, mild fever and cough. In babies, however, it can cause more significant difficulties in breathing and feeding and young babies are more likely to need hospital care. More details on Bronchiolitis can be found here:

Bronchiolitis – HSE.ie

Useful links

Visit the First 5  website for more information and click on ‘Guidance for Providers and Practitioners’.

The new childminding webpage www.gov.ie/childminding is now live. On the website you can find Childminder Guidance during Covid 19.