Guidance on prioritisation of childcare places – 1 January 2021

In line with restrictions announced on 30 December 2020 and the Plan for Living with COVID-19, early learning and care and school-age childcare services, including childminders, can continue to operate. While the resumption of the ECCE programme is delayed until 11 January 2021, non-ECCE programme provision (including full-day provision) can continue to operate, particularly to support priority groups and children of essential workers. A list of essential services at Level 5 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/

A range of effective protective measures have been in place in early learning and care and school-age childcare services since reopening in the summer and no additional protective measures are deemed necessary at this point in time. Staff and families are urged to continue to adhere strictly to public health guidance for the safe operation of services.

Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, some services may be operating at reduced capacity due to unavailability of staff and the necessity to meet legislative adult child ratios. It is important to note that, as early learning and care and school-age childcare services are private businesses, the allocation of places is a matter for the service provider. This guidance is provided to help support providers in managing allocation of places in a situation where demand is greater than the supply available.

In the best interests of children and their families, children should, as far as possible, be enabled to remain in a service they have previously been attending. If a service has additional capacity, they may register new families who have not previously used the setting, either on a long-term or a short-term basis depending on the service’s capacity.
If capacity is limited, services are asked to prioritise the children of health and social care workers and other frontline workers, where possible.
Services are also encouraged to support:
 vulnerable children sponsored under the National Childcare Scheme;
 children funded through legacy DCEDIY schemes who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage or child welfare issues; and
 children with additional needs who were attending full or part time early learning and care and may benefit from immediate re-engagement with this services after the Christmas break.

This guidance will be reviewed in advance of 11 January 2021.

FAQ responses on public health and prioritisation – 1 January 2021

Q1: Is it safe to operate early learning and care and school-age childcare services at this time?

National public health experts have confirmed that it remains safe to continue operating ELC and SAC services. Service providers, staff and families are to be commended for the care with which they have been complying with public health guidance since reopening in June, and it remains essential that they continue doing so. A range of tip sheets and resource materials, including guidance specifically developed for ELC/SAC services by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) within the HSE, is available at https://first5.gov.ie/guidance

Q2: Are additional protective measures now required in ELC and SAC services?
The HSE has confirmed on Dec 31 that there is no change to the public heath advice for early learning and care and school-age childcare settings, which services have been following effectively since reopening in June to allow for their safe operation. In following the guidance at this time, the HSE strongly recommends that providers, staff and families pay particular attention to two core areas:
(i) Exposures and symptoms (as explained in HPSC guidance) within the family unit of each staff member and child over the past week / 10 days. It is crucial that if anyone within the family unit (however extended that may have been over the recent Christmas period) has any symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19 that they self-isolate and contact their GP for testing. Anyone within that close exposure network should restrict their movements until the result is known. Young children should not under these circumstances be attending any ELC or SAC facility. Further, if a young child has any symptoms that are evolving or uncertain, there should now be a clear precautionary approach and they should not attend an ELC or SAC facility.

The HPSC guidance for symptoms and isolation requirements are available here, https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/childcareguidance/Isolation%20quick%20guide%20u13s.pdf and we would ask that all families and staff members attend to these and apply them in a precautionary manner. We ask that all early learning and childcare settings themselves are clear on symptoms of concern for their staff or children and that all are clear on the isolation requirements in place, and that families are aware of the precautionary approach and low threshold being applied to ensure the safe continued opening of all facilities.

Re-focusing of all staff within settings on how the HPSC guidelines are being applied and implemented by staff and within the setting. HPSC guidance on safe opening are available here https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/childcareguidance/Guidance%20for%20services%20providing%20childcare%20services.pdfand we ask that all settings go through the guidance carefully and with renewed focus to ensure that the recommendations can be applied in an appropriate rigorous manner. There will have been learning within each setting over the past months on which aspects of the guidance have been more difficult to implement, and the renewed focus should be on these areas to ensure best solutions and protections are in place.

Particular focus should apply to break times, staff rooms etc. and ensuring strict social distancing is in place, with face-coverings worn by staff at these times and a focus on hand and respiratory hygiene. We ask that all staff and families pay very careful attention to national public health advice and recommendations, for the safety and wellbeing of all.

Q3: Is the public health guidance for school-age childcare different from the guidance for early learning and care?
The same public health guidance applies to early learning and care settings and to school-age childcare settings.

Q4: What happens if there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff or children in my setting?
As you will be aware, the HSE has put in place specific arrangements for COVID-19 testing in schools, ELC and SAC services. The HSE reports that this Public Health Pathway has proved effective since its introduction in August. HSE Public Health teams for Schools and Childcare Facilities remain in place and will clearly be focussed on responding to ELC and SAC settings.

As you will be aware, the HSE has put in place specific arrangements for COVID-19 testing in schools, ELC and SAC services. The HSE reports that this Public Health Pathway has proved effective since its introduction in August. HSE Public Health teams for Schools and Childcare Facilities remain in place and will clearly be focussed on responding to ELC and SAC settings.

Weekly reports on mass testing in schools and ELC and SAC facilities can be found here. https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/covid-19-schools-mass-testing-report.html

Some information to parents for situations where their child has been designated a close contact are available here. https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/childcareguidance/A%20Parents%20Guide%20to%20Close%20Contacts%20in%20School.pdf

It is important to note that:

 Not all confirmed cases will require Public Health engagement with the service – for example if a case was not determined to be in the service during the infectious period, there may be no actions required.

 Departments of Public Health will contact services where a confirmed case is notified to them that may have implications for the service (e.g. the case was in the service during the infectious period and there is a risk of spread in the service). This will usually be the same day Departments are notified, but may occasionally be the next day.

Q5. Do I need to shut my service if a staff member or child is suspected to have COVID-19?

If a child/staff member in your setting is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 they should leave or be collected from the service immediately. They or their parents/guardians should be advised to contact their doctor. Their doctor will arrange testing for them if they need it.

If they test positive for COVID-19, the childcare setting will be contacted by local public health staff to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken.

It is not necessary to take any action in relation to closing your service, partially or in full, until you have been contacted by and discussed the case with local public health staff.

You should follow the advice set out in the HPSC’s “Infection Prevention and Control guidance for settings providing childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic” in relation to cleaning rooms/settings where there was a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. If a room is closed temporarily for 3 cleaning and no other room is available, the staff/children using that room may have to leave the setting until the room is available again.

Q6: Will my funding continue if I have to close a Pod?

In the situation where the HSE has directed the service provider to close a Pod, the normal attendance rules apply where the Department will continue to fund for up to four weeks for that closure.

Q7: Will my funding continue if I have to close my service completely?

In the situation where the HSE has directed the service provider to close completely, the Department will approve force majeure. In circumstances where the closure order is solely related to a particular service provider and is not issued on a national or regional level, the Department will continue to fund that service while their force majeure is activated.

Q8: Will I lose ECCE funding if I am closed in the week of 4 to 8 January?

Funding for the ECCE programme will be paid in accordance with the funding calendar. If services are unable to make up the time later in the year, they will not be penalised, the funding they receive for the week 4 to 8 January will not be recouped.

Q9: Will I lose NCS or legacy scheme funding if children do not attend in early January?

Children may be absent from early learning and childcare services for at least 4 weeks without any change in subsidy levels. Funding under the NCS and legacy schemes will be paid to providers in accordance with the payment calendars. Providers are reminded to submit their NCS attendance returns on the Hive, as that return is the trigger for their NCS payment.

Q10: What restrictions apply if someone returns from travel overseas?

Public health advice remains that those arriving in Ireland from overseas should restrict their movements for 14 days post-travel. Detailed advice from the Government regarding travel can be found at here, including specific guidance on travel from Britain.https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b4020-travelling-to-ireland-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

The travel advice notes that ‘Those who intend travelling should be aware that individual workplaces, schools, childcare facilities and colleges in Ireland can apply their own health and safety measures. Intending travellers, as well as parents/guardians, should familiarise themselves with these requirements before booking any travel.’

Q11: Which children are allowed to attend an ELC or SAC setting at this time?

In line with restrictions announced on 30 December 2020 and the Plan for Living with COVID-19, early learning and care and school-age childcare services, including childminders, can continue to operate. While the resumption of the ECCE programme is delayed until 11 January 2021, non-ECCE programme provision (including full-day provision) can continue to operate, particularly to support priority groups and children of essential workers. A list of essential services at Level 5 is available here.https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/

A range of effective protective measures have been in place in early learning and care and school-age childcare services since reopening in the summer and no additional protective measures are deemed necessary at this point in time. Staff and families are urged to continue to adhere strictly to public health guidance for the safe operation of services. 4

Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, some services may be operating at reduced capacity due to unavailability of staff and the necessity to meet legislative adult child ratios. It is important to note that, as early learning and care and school-age childcare services are private businesses, the allocation of places is a matter for the service provider. This guidance is provided to help support providers in managing allocation of places in a situation where demand is greater than the supply available.

In the best interests of children and their families, children should, as far as possible, be enabled to remain in a service they have previously been attending. If a service has additional capacity, they may register new families who have not previously used the setting, either on a long-term or a short-term basis depending on the service’s capacity.

If capacity is limited, services are asked to prioritise the children of health and social care workers and other frontline workers, where possible.

Services are also encouraged to support:

 vulnerable children sponsored under the National Childcare Scheme;

 children funded through legacy DCEDIY schemes who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage or child welfare issues; and

 children with additional needs who were attending full or part time early learning and care and may benefit from immediate re-engagement with this services after the Christmas break.

This guidance will be reviewed in advance of 11 January 2021.

2nd October 2020 – COVID-19 Sustainability Support Fund – Application Guidelines

The purpose of the COVID-19 Sustainability Support grant is to support the sustainability of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services whose viability is negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing funding to offset losses caused by a decrease in occupancy and/or an increase in costs. Sustainability will be supported by providing a grant proportionate to the short-term level of loss in 2020 that the service has demonstrated through the information provided on the application form.

The COVID-19 Sustainability Support grant recognises that the cost of delivering services for ELC and SAC providers may be higher due to adherence to public health guidelines and combined with the financial impact of lower occupancy may result in some services becoming temporarily financially unsustainable. This grant will ensure that services remain open without increasing their Registered Fees to parents or guardians.

Guidelines can be downloaded here: Application Guidelines COVID-19 Sustainability Support Fund 2020

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23rd September: Changes to HSE Covid-19 Assessment Testing and Management Pathway Document

Please note that we have been advised by the HSE of some changes to their assessment testing and management pathway documents.
The changes are:

• The self-isolation period for cases of COVID-19 has now changed from 14 days to a minimum of 10 days, the last 5 of which should be free of fever
• Nasal swabs are now listed as an acceptable specimen type for use when testing children
• For the households of all patients (adults and children) with symptoms who are being tested for COVID-19,  the whole household must restrict movements until the results of the test are know
• For those aged over 13 years who have some respiratory tract infection symptoms but who but do not fit the criteria for testing for COVID-19,  patients are now advised to stay at home and self-isolate for a minimum of 48 hours from the resolution of   symptoms. (This is a reduction from the 14 days in the previous version)
• If a child with COVID-19 cannot be isolated at home and there is an ongoing exposure risk, household contacts should restrict movements for 17 days from the onset of symptoms in the case (or date of test if the confirmed case was asymptomatic).

The updated pathways are attached, and are also available on the HPSC website at https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/

Guidance for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector will be amended, as required, to reflect the changes outlined above.

Please also be aware that the Department continues to engage with the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that the approaches to management of Covid-19 in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector are aligned to that of the schools. There is currently no automatic rapid testing in place for either sector. Local public health departments will decide on a case by case basis how testing should be conducted.

26th June  –

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is very conscious of the stress and additional burden the closure period and preparations for re-opening have put on you as providers but also on your staff and the parents and children who use your service. We have endeavoured throughout this period to assist you, initially in sustaining your service through the closure period and, more recently, in making preparations for reopening. You will already be familiar with the extensive guidance and support material available to you through the First 5 Website.

In acknowledgement of the current pressures, and the need to work within public health advice, both the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate and the Department of Education and Skills Inspectorate are providing an update on how they intend to work with services who are opening from June 29^th onwards.

In line with the agreement to coordinate and streamline communications to the sector on inspection processes, announced by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in January, attached here are communications from the two inspectorates, which have also been published today on the websites of the two bodies.

In addition to previous guidance issued (available on the DCYA and Tusla websites) and in order to assist providers, both Inspectorates have provided new documentation to explain their approach to inspections in the coming weeks and months. You will find that documentation attached here, including:

• Letter from Tusla Tusla EY letter to Registered Providers 26062020
• Tusla Early Years COVID-19 inspection protocol for Registered Providers Tusla Early Years COVID-19 Inspection protocol for registered providers (Version 1.0 26 June 2020)
• Tusla Early Years Inspectorate COVID-19 Inspection Tool Tusla Early Years Inspectorate COVID-19 Inspection Tool (Version 1- 26 06 20)
• Tusla Early Years Inspectorate Covid -19 Pre Inspection Documentation RequestTusla Early Years Inspectorate Pre-Inspection Documentation Request (Version 1- 26.06.20
• Department of Education and Skills Circular on Inspection of ELC Services in 2020/2021 – English & Irish version cl0042_2020

If you have any specific queries on the content of the attached documents or the conduct of inspections, please make contact with the relevant inspectorate.

Pobal CAR/the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will provide an update to providers in the coming weeks on resumption of compliance visits.

23rd June – Capital Guidelines

On 10 June 2020, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced a major funding
package to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare
(SAC) services. In accordance with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and
Business, and guided by the expert advice of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre
(HSPC), ELC and SAC services can begin to resume from 29th June, 2020.
The purpose of the COVID-19 Capital Grant (€14.2m) is to contribute towards the capital costs
associated with the reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC)
Services because of the easing of some of the government restrictions imposed as a result of the
pandemic.

Click on the guidelines to read more: COVID-19 Capital 2020 Grant Guidelines 23.06.20

23rd June – Annual Early Years Service Profile 2017/2018 – DEADLINE: 5pm Friday 26^th June

The deadline for submitting this year’s Early Years Service Profile is 5pm, Friday 26^th June.

This year’s survey will be essential for helping Government understand the impacts of COVID-19 on the early years sector. Now more than ever, it is essential that planning and investment are informed by real, on-the-ground data and that services continue to have a voice in Government decision-making. We are very grateful for your participation during this challenging time.

Where can I access the survey?

On PIP: Under My Services, click on View details for relevant DCYA Ref (if more than one service). Under Service Details, on right hand side of the page, click Service Profile Survey

On EYP: On the Early Years Portal homepage, click Service Profile Survey on the right side of the page.

Are guidelines available for filling out the form?

The Early Years Service Profile Guidelines 2019/2020provides helpful tips for completing your survey.

You can also find these guidelines and a list of FAQs in the How to Guides section in PIP Resources or on Hive in the survey launch announcement.

Who do we contact for help?

If your service has any questions about the Early Years Service Profile, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre at EYPC@pobal.ie.

22nd June – TWSCS Application Form Amendment Window and Payments Breakdown

As per the DCYA winding down notice last week, the TWSCS will be ending on 28th June. The closing date to submit a Funding Agreement is Friday, June 26th and the closing date for applications is 1st July with final payments being made on week ending 10th July up until 17th July.

In advance of this, please be aware that the following will be available to services on the Early Years Hive as of today.

TWSCS application amendments

Those who need to make changes to a previously submitted/calculated TWSCS application form can do so from today (22nd June) until 5pm on 30th June. Examples of changes that can now be made include:

• Viewing employees’ information
• Editing employees’ information
• Removing employees’ information
• Adding new employees
• Updating services’ average gross weekly payroll figure – as per original guidance, providers were requested to divide the total gross pay value by 9 for all childcare staff for January and February.

Please see the accompanying Amending a TWSCS Application Form + Viewing Payment Calculation Guide guidance document for detailed instruction on how to make such amendments. It is very important to review this document first before making changes, to ensure the correct steps are being taking for the each task and to ensure the application is resubmitted correctly.

If there is no issue with your application, it is not necessary to make any changes and resubmit the form. Please note that any changes made to a TWSCS application may impact funding received from the scheme.

TWSCS payment calculations

Services will now be able to view a breakdown of their TWSCS payment calculations on the Early Years Hive. To view this, navigate to the Resources tab and then go to Wage Subsidy Scheme (Payments) on the dropdown. Please see the above mentioned document for further guidance on this page.

Most services will be able to view the details of their payment calculations on this page. Providers whose submitted application information was queried, a preliminary payment was made and their payment calculations will be available here at a later date, however they can see their payment values on PIP in the interim.

Note: the calculations displayed on this page will not yet include the final week of the scheme (starting 22nd June). Services should review this page after final payments have been made to view final calculations. We are aware of some issues with April calculations, rest assured that this will also be fixed for the final calculation.

If you have any queries, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre at eypc@pobal.ie or raise a service request on the Early Years Hive.

15th June – The Early Years Service Profile 2019/20 is now LIVE on the PIP and Hive portals

Introduction

The 2019/2020 Early Years Service Profile is the primary data source on the Irish early learning and care and school-age childcare sector. It is developed and published by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The Annual Early Years Service Profile, which has been running for over 17 years, plays a central role in informing policy development and assessing the impact of policy change. It provides comprehensive national analysis of over 4,500 early learning and care and school-age childcare services throughout Ireland on key issues, such as capacity, staff and costs.

The continuation of this survey in 2020 is more important than ever given the challenges COVID-19 have presented for this sector, and the information you provide will be essential for future policy development as well as short term emergency planning. It will also ensure that we maintain an accurate, up-to-date and evidence-based profile of the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector in Ireland, and that we can capture a profile of services before the COVID-19 closures in March. This means that, in time, when the survey rolls out again, we can objectively assess the impact of COVID-19 on individual services and on the sector as a whole.

COVID-19 Notice

This survey covers the period up to the closure of early learning and care and school-age childcare services on 12^th March 2020. All responses (including staff details, wages and fees) should therefore reflect how the service was operating up to this date.

Pobal and the DCYA appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey, which has been shortened this year to include only the most critical information needed for Government policy and planning. We understand that the sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, and that their focus is placed on working towards the phased reopening of services in line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. We also acknowledge and sincerely thank the services for their participation in the recent survey, which was rolled out to inform plans on reopening.

About the survey

This annual survey is developed and published by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The content of the survey is also informed by a stakeholder consultation, which was conducted in partnership with the Early Years Forum.

The data collected will allow for in-depth analysis of the sector across a range of headings including:

• Service detail and provision
• Capacity and attendance
• Staffing (numbers, qualifications, staffing retention, level of turnover etc.)

By providing the most up-to-date national data on the sector, we are able to support a range of key stakeholders in their planning and analysis. For instance, data may be shared with:

• Government Departments (e.g. Department of Education and Skills, Early Years Inspectorate)
• Organisations conducting research and analysis on behalf of Government Departments
• Statutory agencies (e.g. Túsla Early Years Inspectorate)
• Better Start Early Years Specialist Service
• City/County Childcare Committees
• Local Authorities (to inform local planning and development priorities)

Summary data will also be provided to the following organisations for research and statistical purposes:

• Voluntary Childcare Organisations
• Central Statistics Office
• OECD
• Third Level Institutions

Data from this survey may also be combined with findings from other surveys of the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector conducted on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

We have made every effort to keep the survey concise and relevant. Only questions that relate to key policy and planning priorities are included in the survey.

Completing the Survey:

A service profile should be completed for each facility i.e. one for each DCYA reference number.

How long will it take to complete the service profile?

The length of time it takes to complete the survey depends on the size of the service, the number of staff and number of children enrolled. It is expected to take approximately one hour. The survey will save so you can complete it in more than one sitting before final submission.

Why does the survey look different to previous years?

This year’s survey was developed on a new platform and so the layout and format of some questions has been changed.

Can I complete the service profile through Irish?

Based on feedback from the sector, we had intended to offer the service profile through Irish this year. This unfortunately has not been possible due to resource constraints arising from COVID-19. Pobal and the DCYA continue to work towards this goal for future years.

When is it due?

The deadline for completing the survey is 5pm, Friday 26th June.

Who can we contact for assistance?

If you experience any difficulties accessing or completing this survey, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre at EYPC@pobal.ie. While we are unable to accept calls at the moment due to COVID-19 constraints, we can arrange a call back for you at a time that suits

Early Years Team

15th June 2020 – Letter from Early Years Division

Please see attached letter from Early Years Division in relation to the winding down of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) following the planned reopening of the childcare sector on June 29 that issued to ELC & SAC providers today, for your information.

Letter to providers 15062020

12th June – Reopening FAQ and funding Package

Please find attached information on the Funding Package available to support Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) to reopen from 29 June.

Reopening FAQs on Reopening Funding v1

The Government has provided a substantial funding package, with supports for reopening costs, wage costs, and capital costs alongside the resumption of ELC and SAC subsidy schemes. The funding recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the economic and societal infrastructure of the country.

The attached FAQs are intended to provide clarity on how this funding package will work. These FAQs aim to be informative but may be added to and/or amended as more information becomes available. The Department will also be keeping track of any queries we receive and clarify any areas of uncertainty in an updated FAQ if necessary.

As always, your local CCCs will be available to offer support. Please do not hesitate to contact them if you require assistance with interpreting or applying for any element of the new funding package.

Kind regards,

Early Years Division.

DCYA.

10th June – Press Release DCYA

Please see the below Press Release from Minister Katherine Zappone announcing a funding package of €75m for Reopening Early Learning and Childcare Services from 29 June

Press release funding model 10 June 2020

Also please find below a message from Minister Zappone to the childcare sector

https://youtu.be/qksf6NJJens

9th June – Access and Inclusion Model, (AIM) programme for 2020/2021 is now open

Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) provides a range of supports to enable children with a disability to meaningfully participate in the ECCE preschool programme (www.aim.gov.ie). Parents/carers/legal guardians and preschool providers make AIM applications jointly, through an on-line system.

New Application for AIM 2020/21

New applications for Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) support for 2020/21 are now open. Please note, although the AIM application system is open and in light of public health guidance, the delivery of AIM supports are dependent on the timing and nature of the re-opening of the ECCE programme for 2020/21. Further detail on this will be made available by the DCYA in due course.

If your child is due to start the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme in September 2020 please contact the preschool that your child will attend. The pre-school provider in partnership with you as the parent/carer/legal guardian can consider and apply for one or more targeted supports under Levels 4-7 of the model. You can find more information about the targeted supports under the AIM Programme at https://aim.gov.ie/for-parents/

If your child is currently availing of AIM supports and is moving to another pre-school in September 2020/21 a new AIM application will need to be submitted to the new pre-school provider.

In light of the Covid-19 restrictions, a number of adaptations to the AIM application process have been made to allow applications to be processed during this time. The application process will outline this and your pre-school provider will be able to talk you through these adaptations.

6th June – ECCE 2020/21 on the Early Years Hive

This year the ECCE Programme will be managed on the Early Years Hive, and all ECCE Programme related activities must be completed https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/

All service providers offering the ECCE Programme for the 2020-2021 programme year must complete every step of the on boarding process on the Hive before they can begin the ECCE readiness process. This means that each service provider must have an Early Years Hive account.  Quick Guides and videos are available on the Early Years Hive to assist services with this process.

Once the on-boarding process is completed, Service Providers must also complete the ECCE specific readiness steps before a programme application can be submitted.  A Quick Guide on completing the ECCE readiness steps is available https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/useful-links/for assistance with this process. A separate Quick Guide is available to assist you with completing the ECCE Fees List and Service Calendars on the Early Years Hive.

DCYA ECCE Programme Rules for 2020/21 will be made available shortly.

Early Years Team

5th June – DCYA Announcement regarding the launch of a range of online resources and guidance to support service provider​

Today the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has launched a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening.

Some resources are already published, and others will be added in the coming days and weeks. The web-page will be regularly updated, so please check back. Irish-language resources will be available in the coming days.

Acknowledging that sometimes the volume of information available can feel overwhelming and hard to manage, the new webpage aims to make it easy for you to navigate and find the information and guidance you need.

The Department would like to thank the many organisations that have developed and given advice on these resources and guidance. The webpage notes some resources that are still being developed and will be available soon. If there is further guidance you feel you need, please let us know through your representative organisation or local City/County Childcare Committee.

5th June – Extension of DCYA Provider Survey: Update 5^th June 2020

The completion date for the DCYA Provider Survey has been extended to close of business Wednesday, 10^th June. For those Early Learning and Care Providers who have not completed the survey, a link to the survey will be sent by email, together with a guidance note, in time for completion by Wednesday the 10^th of June.

A draft text copy of the survey is attached below please note this copy is for information only and cannot be submitted.

Provider Survey-Services Open Closed in July Aug FINAL

Please see the Technical Guidance Note 28.5 for more information. For all other queries, please email eypc@pobal.ie.

4th June – TWSCS Payments​

Please be aware that this week’s payments have been made to all services who submitted the TWSCS funding agreement and an application form by Tuesday, 2nd June.

Applications ‘In Review’

Any providers whose applications are still in review will receive a further preliminary payment for one week. These providers can still make changes to the application form. Please refer to Step 6 – Reviewing a submitted Application Form on how to edit and resubmit the form in the Application Guidance Document.

Applications ‘Calculated’

Any providers whose applications have been calculated will receive payments based on the information in the application form, and should receive a further two weeks payment to 19th June. Preliminary payments paid to date will have been reconciled against the actual payment due. Where an overpayment is identified in this reconciliation, no payment will be issued this week. If your application has a status of ‘Calculated’ on the Early Years Hive then changes cannot be made until a later date, which will be communicated in due course.

A payment breakdown view will be available for service providers on the Early Years Hive at the end of June.

If you have any queries, please email eypc@pobal.ie or raise a service request on the Hive.

3rd June – Press Release from DCYA

Please see the below press release from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs regarding the fifth meeting of the Advisory Group and a report for Government on ’Planning for reopening Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services’

Press Release 03062020 2020 06 03

Covid Phased reopening report 3 june

2nd June – The AIM 2020/2021 programme year is now open for new applicants.

The AIM 2020/2021 programme year is now open for new applicants. Application forms are accessible via the AIM tab on the PIP portal.

Please note, although the AIM application system is open, in light of public health guidance, the delivery of AIM supports are dependent on the timing and nature of the re-opening of the ECCE programme for 2020/21. Further detail on this will be made available by the DCYA in due course.

Also, any AIM support awarded for the 2020/2021 pre-school year will be subject to the childcare service re-opening and the participation of the child or children in pre-school.

Due to current Covid 19 restrictions, a number of temporary changes are being implemented to facilitate the submission and processing of AIM applications. Further information on these changes are available here, please read this document carefully before submitting an application.

Applicants should apply as early as possible to ensure that the relevant supports are in place when required.

If you require assistance, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre at eypc@pobal.ie.

29th May – Press release from Minister Katherine Zappone

Please see the below press release from Minister Katherine Zappone announcing decisions and guidance to support the reopening of childcare services

PRESS RELEASE 29 May 2020

29th May – Letter from DCYA on the use of the TWSCS Overhead Payment.

Refer to DCYA Letter below providing further clarification on the use of the TWSCS Overhead Payment.

Further Clarification to use of Overhead Payment_29.05.2020

Early Years Finance Governance & Reform Compliance Team

27th May – Letter from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, which includes important updates for providers on Government plans to reopen the early learning and care sector.

Also attached are:

• a letter from the Secretary General of the Department, which you will be able to copy to your insurance broker if you intend to reopen your service in advance of 29 June, for preparatory works, and
• a paper setting out the key principles which will underpin service reopening, including the latest health and safety advice.

Letter to providers SecGen

Ltr to Providers re Covid-19 Measures

Principles of Practice for Reopening ELC SAC

27th May – Programme Support Payments (PSP)

Programme Support Payments (PSP) will open for applications from Friday May 29 until

Friday June 12 2020; the payments will issue after the application process ends.

A ‘How to Guide’ including screen shots explaining how to apply through the service provider portal

is attached here: How to Guide for Completing the Programme Support Payment (PSP)

On Friday 17th April, to assist with any cash flow difficulties being experienced by services due to COVID-19,                   the DCYA released an advance payment of one third of the Programme Support Payment (PSP) that services were scheduled to receive in June 2020.

This payment together with the remaining two-thirds are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the PSP application form.

In order to receive the remaining two-thirds and retain the one third already paid to services, the application form must be completed and submitted by Friday 12 June 2020.

Late applications will not be accepted

If a service does not wish to apply, then the advance payment must be returned. Please contact eypc@pobal.ie to make arrangements to return the payment.

Calculation of PSP 2019/2020 (included in announcement of advance payment 15/04/2020)

The PSP for this programme cycle involves a new calculation to include the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) which is being brought into the PSP along with ECCE, CCSP and TEC. The total amount available to providers for 2020, payable this year, remains the same as last year at €19.4m, however, funding for individual providers and registrations may differ from previous years.

PSP is calculated based on a period in time referred to as the “snapshot” period. A number of different snapshot periods during the programme year have been used to calculate PSP since it was introduced in June 2017. This year, December 2019 was selected as an equitable point on which to base the ECCE, CCSP and TEC 2020 PSP payment and March 2020 was the base used for NCS, reflecting that it was a new scheme only introduced in November. PSP is calculated as equal to 7 days’ (1.4 weeks’) registrations for ECCE at Standard Capitation, 1 week for NCS, and 12.5 days’ (2.5 weeks’) registrations for CCSP and TEC, in respect of the 2019/20 programme cycle.

Note: You will receive a separate PSP payment relative to each contract, it will not be a combined single payment. Your provider portal and the remittance advice you receive will include a description of each payment. 

26th May – Message & Survey from EY Division for services that normally close over the summer

Further to our recent correspondence concerning upcoming provider surveys, please find attached here the survey questions for early learning and care and school-age childcare providers usually closed in July and August. This survey will be administered by phone with the support of Pobal and Better Start. Calls to providers that normally close in July and August will begin later this week. In order to support providers to gather the information they may need to participate in this survey, a copy of the survey is attached. Providers that cannot be reached by phone will be sent a link to the survey for self-completion.

In addition, with the purpose of obtaining the views of the sector on the re-opening of services, the Department has opened a Call for Submissions. The Call for Submissions opened today (26 May) and will remain open until 5 June. The Call for Submission form can be accessed through the following link https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/SectorConsult.

The information from this survey and the call for submissions will provide the Department with important and up to date information regarding services and will inform re-opening plans. Therefore, your participation is strongly encouraged and appreciated.

The Minister and the Department will meet with the Advisory Group again later today and it is expected further updates will be circulated following this meeting.

Regards,

Early Years Division.

DCYA.

26th May – Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme – Verification Checks

Please refer to attached DCYA letter and Verification requirements on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme.

19th May – FAR training and the Covid-19 restrictions

We have received the following update from Tusla regarding FAR training:

The First Aid Responder (FAR) Education and Training Standard established by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is recognised by Tusla as the first aid course for children that meets the regulatory requirement. In an early years setting the number of people required to be trained in first aid for children (FAR) and that are available for first aid response is based on the service’s risk assessments, including the size of the service and the hazards identified.

Currently where a service provides evidence that a person(s) is trained in First Aid for children and is available to children at all times the regulatory requirement is deemed to have been met by the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate. Prior to the COVID -19 pandemic this was to continue to be acceptable until the 31st May 2020. The regulatory requirement was due to change from the 1st of June 2020. The change required is that at least one person(s) is to have had undertaken the FAR (First Aid Response) course delivered by a trainer approved by PHECC to be available to children at all times in a service.

Due to the on-going pandemic, Tusla and Dept. of Children and Youth Affairs have agreed to extend the timeframe to meet this regulatory requirement to the end of February 2021.

In addition, for those staff that already have FAR certification which has now expired or is due to expire – their certificates will remain valid until courses are up and running again.

The DCYA had committed to providing a subsidy for the training of one staff member, per childcare service. This was supposed to have finished by the original deadline of 1 June 2020. In light of Tusla’s statement, the DCYA are extending the subsidy eligibility to the end of 2020.

Online training:

Owing to the current Covid-19 restrictions, PHECC have agreed that the theory part of the FAR training course can be delivered as an online component. PHECC have stipulated that the online theory training will be:

• For the short term only and will be limited to the duration of the current Covid-19 situation.
• Does not replace the whole course, is for FAR theory only.
• Full certification cannot come from this part of the training.
• Practical’s and assessment should be on hold until the current Covid-19 situation is over.
• The online session must be live and the trainer must ensure that they can document that participants engaged fully.
• There will be a limit of participants to 8 as in the face-to-face course

Such a significant departure from normal standards shall be limited to the duration of the current Covid-19 crisis.

Things to consider

Before undertaking online FAR theory training Childcare Providers should ensure the following:

• That the training is being offered by a PHECC Approved Training Institution listed here. https://www.phecit.ie/PHECC/Education_and_careers/RI_ATI_and_Courses/PHECC/Education_and_careers/RI_and_courses/Recognised_institutions_and_courses.aspx?Hkey=12023bf0-cc43-4b33-b6bf-0c1735687ec7
• That the company offering the online training can provide an interim certificate/letter as proof of completion of online theory training
• That the company you choose to do the online training with will also be able to offer the practical part of the course as well as the assessment in a place and at a time that will suit you

There is no obligation to undertake online training, services can opt to wait until the face-to-face courses are being offered and undertake the training in the normal way. However, the subsidy will only be available until the end of 2020 (see payment schedule on application form).

Claiming the partial subsidy:

On completion of the online theory training, services can apply for a maximum of €150 which represents 2/3 of the total subsidy or 2/3 of what you paid for the course, whichever is the lesser by completing the attached application form and submitting along with a receipt and a certificate/letter confirming that the participant has undertaken the full online theory course. On completion of the practical part of the course, the provider can apply for the remaining €75 by submitting their certificate.

18th May – Press Release

Dr. Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, chaired the second meeting of the ‘Advisory Group on Reopening Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services’ on Friday (15 May 2020).

See press release here: PRESS RELEASE re. Advisory Group 18052020

15th May – Phased reopening of early learning and care and school-age facilities in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

Please see the below letter from Minister Zappone announcing the establishment of an Advisory Group along with the Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group

Ltr to Providers re Covid-19 Measures 15052020

Advisory Group ToR

15th May – Update: Application Form for Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS)

Dear Service Provider,

Please see important information regarding the TWSCS application form below.

Employee ID number

An important change has been made to the TWSCS application form. Services completing the form are now asked to provide a unique 3 digit number only for the employee ID number for each of their staff and are no longer required to include the DCYA reference.

Multi-service organisations

We would like to advise when calculating the gross weekly payroll costs, multi-service organisations can either:

1. Select a single service and enter the total payroll costs for the organisation, or
2. Input the payroll costs for each service individually.

Guidance documents have also been updated to reflect this change.

Payments

Payments will be made to all services who have correctly submitted the application form by 1pm on Tuesday, 19th May.

Those who have not submitted the application form will not receive payment.

Application guidance

We urge services yet to submit the application form to do so as soon as possible. Please read the updated TWSCS Phase 2 Application Form – Application Guidance Document for direction on what is required before doing so.

For further assistance, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre at eypc@pobal.ie.

13th May 2020 – Statement on Cancellation of Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers