Inspectorate’s plans for inspections of Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings (31st August)
Providers please see below circular from the Department of Education (DE), which provides information regarding the Inspectorate’s plans for inspections of Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings between September 2021 and June 2022.
The circular provides an update to the DE’s previous circular issued to the ELC sector in April 2021, including an update on plans for the extension of DE education-focused inspections to 0-3 year olds.
A message from the Chief Inspector of the DE Inspectorate, Harold Hislop, to ELC settings is also attached.
An Irish version of both documents is also attached.
Message from Chief Inspector to ELC
Message from Chief Inspector to ELC – IRISH
Department of Education Circular 00442021
Department of Education Circular 00442021 – IRISH
Health Guidance [Updated August 9th 2021]
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
Isolation quick guide Adults and children from their 13th birthday
- Infection Prevention and Control, guidance for settings providing childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic, (HPSC) [Download here]
- Update on HPSC Health Advice on Symptoms of Covid-19 for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Settings [Download here]
- Infection Control training, (TUSLA)[Download here]
- Public Health Webinar on Infection Control Guidance for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Settings, 7 July 2021 [click here to watch]
- HPSC Webinar on Infection Control Guidance for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Settings, 29 January 2021 [View here]
- Dr. Abigail Collins, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, provides advice regarding the safety of ELC and SAC settings for Essential Workers during the current level 5 restrictions in the video links below.
- COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Childcare Settings; below you will find links to both the webinar recording and the associated slide print out.
- HSE Memo 9th February Re: Face Coverings, Covid Testing and Key Public Health Messages [View here]
Useful links
Guidance for Providers and Practitioners [Updated June 10th 2021]
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.
Service Interruptions due to Cyberattack
The HSE has issued memos in relation to the handling of Covid-19 cases in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services, which may be found below
As reported in the media there has also been an interruption to Tusla IT services – Tusla have advised that phone lines are currently operational and you can find the Early Years inspectorate numbers at https://www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/early-years-inspectors/
Tusla have also issued a memo in relation to contingency plans which can be found below
Preparation Documents
- FAQs for Providers– 8th March 2021 [Download Here]
- FAQs for Practitioners, (DCEDIY)[Download here].
- Funding Model FAQs, (DCEDIY) [Download here]
- Student Placement Guidelines, (DCEDIY/DES), [Download here]
- Chronic Symptoms Parental Declaration Form (HPSC) [Download here]
- Return to Work Safely Protocol, (ECI) [Download PDF here], [Download Word Doc here]
- COVID-19 health and Safety checklist for reopening, (ECI) [Download here]
- HR FAQs, 28th July ’21, (ECI) [Download here]
- Return to Childcare Setting Parental Declaration Form (SAMPLE) (HPSC), [Download Here]
Some quick reference material on a variety of thematic areas:
- Tip sheet 1, Drop off and Collection, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 2, Maintaining Relationships, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 3, Play,[Download here].
- Tip sheet 4, Play Pods, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 5, School Age Child Care, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 6, Sessional Services, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 7, Suspected or Confirmed Case of COVID-19, [Download here].
- Tip sheet 8, Adapting Environments, [Download here].
- Information sheet on keeping safe during reopening, [Download here]
- Information sheet on Services providing transportation to and from schools, [Download here]
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. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has also established a national weekend Covid-19 support helpline, hosted by the CCCs, which provides support for providers who are faced with a potential or confirmed Covid-19 case in their service by guiding them through the process of engagement with the relevant authorities. This helpline can be reached on 1800 940 341 on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays between the hours of 10.00-13.00 and 13.30 and 16.00.
Practice Supports [Updated March 22nd 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 during current restrictions. 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 during current restrictions. 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]
- Wellbeing webinar for practitioners “Because You Matter: Caring for Self in order to care for others.” Presented by Anthony Semann (Australia) https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/sh… Password: bsvd2C$F
- Principles of practice for reopening ELC and SAC, (DCEDIY)[Download here]. (updating in progress)
- Working together with parents, (DYCA) [Download here].
- FAQs for Practices, (DCEDIY) [Download here]. (updating in progress)
- Adapting environments for practice , (DCEDIY) [Download here]. (updating in progress)
- Supporting Children’s Emotional wellbeing in Transition to ELC, (Barnardos) [Download here].
- Short animated video on returning to childcare for children, (DCEDIY) [Watch here].
- Webinar looking at the key person approach: Supporting Relationships in the Early Years Setting During Covid-19, (Barnardos)
The Key Person Approach: Supporting Relationships in the Early Years Setting During Covid-19 is a recording of a free webinar looking at the key person approach – what it is, why it is important and how it works in practice in early learning and care. [Register here]. - Practice case studies, [Download Case Study 1] [Download Case Study 2]
- 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
Useful links
Childminding [Updated March 10th 2021]
This section provides tailored information for childminders.
Guidance
- Guidance for childminders
- Infection Prevention and Control, guidance for settings providing childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic, (HPSC) [Download here].
- Funding Model FAQs, (DCEDIY) [Download here].
- Tip sheet, Childminding Services [Download here].
- Tip sheet, Childminders Suspected or Confirmed Case of COVID-19, [Download here].
- Information sheet for Childminding settings, [Download here].
- Short animated video on returning to childcare for children, (DCEDIY) [Watch here].
