Newsletter Week Ending 15th November 2019

Here are the important dates, deadlines and announcements for the week 11^th– 15^th November 2019.

DEADLINES/IMPORTANT DATES:

Tuesday 19 November 2019

• FAR Application closing date for Quarter 3.

Wednesday 20 November 2019

• National childcare scheme opens for applications

Saturday 30 November 2019

• ELC and SAC capital funding report deadline

Friday 6 December 2019

• Payments for amended 2018/2019 (last year’s) ECCE registrations to be issued.

Friday 13^th December 2019

• Payments for successful FAR applications Quarter 3.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

Compliance 2019/2020 Programme cycle:

Unannounced compliance visits are commencing on ECCE and the Transitional targeted childcare programmes. Visits will continue for the duration of the programme cycles. Note: Services operating ECCE only sessions will not be visited outside of the ECCE programme cycle.

As previously, the compliance process will involve a series of standardised on-site checks aimed at ensuring adherence with certain programme rules and contract conditions as set out by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA). Attendance records will be reviewed as a priority during compliance visits. It is advised that services prepare for an unannounced compliance visit by collating relevant information for review e.g. in a Compliance Folder/File which can be made readily available to the Visit Officer on arrival.

This cycle, a new Compliance Guide for Service Providers is available. (See copy attached) This document describes the compliance visit process in relation to the ECCE and Transitional programmes as outlined above and provides guidance and assistance to service providers when preparing for a compliance visit. (See PIP announcement 12/11/’19 for further details).

National Childcare Scheme

The NCS policy Guidelines were approved by the Minister and were published on the National Childcare Scheme website this week. A copy is attached for your information. You can find by clicking on the following link also https://ncs.gov.ie/userfiles/files/download/1e3b4818d7db0666.pdf

Tusla Re registration Checklist

Many Early Learning & Care settings and School age Childcare services are in the process of submitting their Tusla re registration. A checklist of the documents required is attached. Please also click on this link for policy templates https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/sample-policies-and-templates/

REMINDER OF THE WEEK:

Be Winter Ready

The Government recently launched the ‘Be Winter Ready’ 2019-2020 Information Campaign focusing this year on the different colour coding associated with Met Éireann weather warning. We would encourage everyone to visit www.winterready.ie to enable us all, as individuals and as communities, to be prepared for the winter months ahead.

Further details on the Be Winter Ready Information Campaign 2019-2020 can be found under following link

https://www.winterready.ie/en/2019-2020-be-winter-ready-information-campaign-launch

Early Years Provider Centre – Email Queries

As many Services are currently performing NCS Program Readiness Activities we are receiving high volumes of email queries.

To assist in the speedy resolution of these queries please ensure that you include the following details in every email you send to eypc@pobal.ie

1. The Service’s DCYA reference Number
2. The Senders PIP User name
3. The Senders PIP User Email Address linked to the account.

Omission of these authentication details can result in delays in provision of a resolution to queries submitted by email.

Please contact our office on 094 96 22540 to discuss any of the above.