This Weeks News & Information Bulletin
Click HERE for this week in Childcare Bulletin
Deadlines/Important Dates:
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25 June 2025:
Closing date for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF)
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31 July 2025:
QIPP Report Template recommended completion date
QIPP Report Template 2024/2025
QIPP report template 2024/2025 is now available for completion on www.cfcrrs.ie . Services are strongly encouraged to complete the end-of-year QIPP report by Thursday 31 July 2025. The final deadline for completion is Tuesday 30 September 2025. A QIPP Technical Guidance Video: How to Complete a QIPP Report is available HERE
Early Years Digital Portfolio Project
The Early Years Digital Project (EYDP) is a European Erasmus+ + project. It aims to give early years educators the tools to easily and effectively share information with parents about their children's progress in early years settings. It is based on Pedagogical Documentation developed in Emilia Reggio and has been adapted in many ways in different countries. However, it is little used in Ireland.
Project partners are based in Portugal, Italy, and Romania, and the project is informed by the differing practices in each country. In Ireland, ULS (Universal Learning Systems) is the project partner, with Steve Goode, Imelda Graham, and Alan Bruce conducting the research and development.
Click HERE to view Resources developed in the Bulletin.
Nurturing Skills website and Learning Hub
A new central hub to find information on how the Government is supporting Early Years Educators, School-Age Childcare Practitioners and Childminders on advancing skills, planning your career and entering the profession Access the website here: https://www.nurturingskills.ie/
Year 4 Core Funding updates
Following the recent announcement by Minister Foley on the changes to Year 4 Core Funding (2025/2026), the ‘What’s new for Partner Services in Core Funding Year 4 2025-26’ document as well as other support documents are available on HIVE and through the following link; Core Funding Q&A
Let’s get Ready & Let’s Play Ireland
DCDE have asked to share the following information and resources with parents and families:
Let’s get Ready has lots of useful information on:
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Starting pre-school
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Starting primary school
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Information for families with children of disabilities.
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Information resources.
Let’s Play Ireland has tonnes of information on:
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Types of Play
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Rainy day ideas
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Messy play ideas
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Family fun ideas and free outdoor and indoor adventures
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Family events throughout the summer
2025/2026 Programme Readiness
Programme readiness tasks for Core Funding, ECCE, NCS & CCSP Saver are now available for completion on HIVE. All guidance and support documents are available in the Resources section of HIVE. The Announcements issued on 6 June & 9 June also contain links directly to the specific support documents including programme checklists.
Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 5 Equipment Journey Infographic
An Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 5 Equipment Journey Infographic is now available under the Help & Support section on the Early Years Hive. The infographic provides a snapshot of the journey of AIM Level 5 Equipment. Click HERE to view.
Always Children First: Child Safeguarding Awareness Training programme for Childminder
The programme is designed to support childminder’s understanding of child safeguarding in a childminding context. The training comprises of 2 sessions; participants must attend both sessions to receive their certificate.
• Session 1: Introduction and Context + Child Centred Practice - Promoting the Welfare of Children
• Session 2: Safeguarding Awareness Raising and Responding to Concerns - Protecting children from harm
IMPORTANT - All participants must complete two eLearning programmes prior to attending the Tusla Always Children First: Foundation Training (See links below to access these programmes)
• Tusla’s Children First E-Learning Programme (1.5 hours maximum)
• Tusla’s Children First Mandated Person: Role and Responsibilities eLearning Module (1 hour maximum)
Two separate workshops will take place, the dates are as follows:
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Saturday 12th July from 9:30am – 4:30pm at the Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork
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Monday 14th & Thursday 17th July from 6:30pm – 9:30pm at the Vienna Woods Hotel, Cork
To book your place on this training, please contact cptraining@corkchildcare.ie for a booking form.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Denise Quinlan, Childminding Development Officer on (022) 23880 / dquinlan@corkchildcare.ie

Cork County Childcare Committee was formed in 2001 and is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to improve the quality of childcare in Cork County.
In addition to supporting the administration of all Government funding programmes for childcare; City and County Childcare Committees work with early childhood services and childminders looking for support with quality development, HR, governance, financial sustainability and continuing professional development.
We also work with Parents to locate childcare best suited to their families needs, and advise on relevant government funded schemes etc.