WELCOME TO
CORK COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE

• 30 September:

QIPP Report final deadline

• 17 October:  

Deadline for the Learner Fund Bursary for Graduates and Childminders

• 23 October:

AIM L1 application deadline to receive payments from employee start date for 25/26 programme.

The AIM Level 1 application process has now opened on Early Years Hive for services with new graduates of the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) programme.  A ‘new graduate’ refers to any person graduating in October 2025. 
Applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.  Applications received by 5pm on Thursday 23 October 2025 will be awarded the additional capitation from the Inclusion Co-ordinator’s employment start date relevant to the 2025/2026 programme year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as any applications received after this date will not be backdated. 
Applications must be submitted via the Early Years Hive. Applicant guidelines can be found here. Prior to submitting the AIM Level 1 application, service providers must ensure that they have completed their ECCE programme readiness steps and activated the ECCE Funding Agreement.
Queries in relation to the AIM Level 1 application process - contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on the Hive using the following categories:
•    Programme: AIM Level 1 
•    Request type: Application 
•    Request type detail: How To 

This new funding allocation will be released if and when the new Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) are agreed or on 1 September 2025, whichever is later. Further details will be released when the new EROs are agreed. 

This is a mandatory training programme for existing or potential childminders who wish to register with Tusla. This training will support understanding of the new childminding regulations and will provide all the information required to register with Tusla. This is a FREE training course and takes approximately 7 hours to complete. There is no assessment, and participants will receive a certificate upon completion. There is no expiry date for this training certificate. Attendance at the training will support one to make an informed decision regarding registration with Tusla.  
Upcoming Training dates:  
November 2025:   Saturday 15th November; Macroom; 9.30am – 5pm
If you are interested in attending any of these Pre-Registration Training courses, please click on this link to book your place:  https://forms.office.com/e/BK0xWmUmrY
Any queries about the training or childminding can be made to dquinlan@corkchildcare.ie  / 022 23880.

We’re excited to announce a new poster designed especially for Early Learning & Care settings on Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.

All of the original graphics featured in the Framework and the Guidance for Good Practice are now available as individual posters! These can be downloaded and printed to support your setting’s learning environment. You can access the posters here.

There is a new Garda Vetting process in place for ELC/SAC services since 1st February 2025, and it can take over 2 months to complete. The following now applies: 
•    TUSLA manage Garda Vetting services for registered providers, including childminders, as well as Chairpersons of Boards of Management (where they are the registered provider) and board members who have access to children. Further information is available here.
•    Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) manage Garda Vetting services for all employees in ELC and SAC services. For more information, go to the ECI website.
•    Barnardos no longer provide vetting services

Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNBV) Affiliate Registration Number

For Services previously with Barnardos requiring a new GNBV affiliate registration number you can find the step on applying here.

The Public Consultation on the Regulation of School Age Childcare and Early Learning and Care Services is now open for submissions. It is an opportunity to shape the legislation that supports the regulation of school-age and ELC services.  Further information on the public consultation can be accessed here.  The full press release can be accessed here.

Force Majeure Guidelines are now available on HIVE. These guidelines are designed to support services when applying for Force Majeure and completing a Force Majeure Application Form. The Guidelines and Application Form can be accessed here.

The final deadline for completing the QIPP end of year report is Tuesday 30th September 2025. Services who have not yet submitted their report can so do so via www.cfcrrs.ie. A guidance video is available here.

Please note that this Friday’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) payment, scheduled for 19 September, will be calculated based on approved registrations up to 10 October 2025, less any preliminary payment already issued.  The balance of the payment, relating to the week ending 17 October 2025, will be processed on Monday 22 September.

We invite you to visit our website HERE and like and follow our Facebook page Cork County Childcare Committee Ltd for updates and relevant content HERE​ Or scan QR code below

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Minister Foley recently launched the Public Consultation on the Regulation of School Age Childcare and Early Learning and Care Services.  This consultation is an opportunity for parents, school-age childcare practitioners, providers and other stakeholders to shape the legislation that supports the regulation of school-age childcare services.  Further information on the public consultation can be accessed here.  The full press release can be accessed here.

The Learner Fund Bursary is now open for application. Completed applications for the 2025 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary must be received by Cork County Childcare Committee by 5pm on Friday 17th October 2025.

Please click on the link for application forms for graduates HERE and childminders HERE. For more information, including the rules for the above schemes, please visit the following page on the new Nurturing Skills website: Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary 2025 | Nurturing Skills   

The Department for Children, Disability and Equality announced the launch of Bia Blasta (Delicious Food), the pre-school nutrition programme to provide daily lunches for pre-school children in disadvantaged areas. The full press release can be found HERE.  Bia Blasta is being provided to all Equal Start Tier 1 and Tier 2 designated services that provide ECCE, and to other ECCE sessional services with the highest concentrations of disadvantage, as identified by the Equal Start Identification Model. ECCE Programme services that have not been invited by email to participate in Bia Blasta, cannot apply to participate, at this time.

Always Children First Foundation Level Training                  *Final training dates for 2025*

• Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire:                      Saturday 11th October 9.30am -4.30pm

This is your last opportunity to avail of this training for 2025.

You can request a booking form for this course by emailing cptraining@corkchildcare.ie

Diversity Equality & Inclusion Training

• Dunmanway CCC Office:                   

Saturday 11th October @ 9.30am – 4.30pm

Tuesday 14th October @ 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Monday 20th October @ 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Thursday 23rd October @ 6.30pm – 9.30pm

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Each course consists of 15 hours of training in total. You must attend all 15 hours to receive your certificate. Following training the service will receive a resource pack to the value of €200. There is no cost for the training and lunch will be provided on the first day. To book places on the training please clink on the following link  https://forms.office.com/e/HMhFFUhDYz. Further information or queries can be made to 022 23880 / cpdtraining@corkchildcare.ie

This year on the HIVE, you will find helpful checklists for each programme outlining programme readiness steps:

• ECCE Programme Readiness 2025 Checklist

• NCS Programme Readiness 2025 Checklist

• CCSP Programme Readiness 2025 Checklist

• Core Funding Programme Readiness 2025 Checklist

• AIM Programme Readiness 2025 Checklist

We encourage all services to check the Early Years register Early Years register or School Age register or your current Tusla certificate to confirm your current registration date. Services are required to complete a registration renewal every 3 years. Services are required to have a completed application submitted on the Tusla portal 2 months before the expiry of the current registration date. Tusla facilitate registration renewals up to 6 months in advance of the current registration date. It is advised that you apply for updated Garda Vetting in a timely manner. Due to the recently implemented changes to Garda Vetting procedures, the process may take extra time. You can access details of the new Garda Vetting procedures here. Further information on the registration renewal process can be accessed on the Tusla early years registration renewal webpage

Click HERE to find a useful checklist when preparing for your 2025 registration renewal with Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate.

The new Change in Circumstance and Cessations forms are now available on the Tusla website. Please see links below:     
Childminding:  New CIC page: 
https://www.tusla.ie/early-years-inspectorate/childminding-services/change-in-circumstances-cessations/
Preschool:  EYI Tusla webpage:  
https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-providers/change-in-circumstance/
School Age: Tusla webpage:
https://www.tusla.ie/services/family-community-support/school-age-services/i-am-a-school-age-provider/change-in-circumstance-cessations/