Childcare News
Early Years Hive Snapshot 27 July 2026
Registration is now open for Aistear in Practice
Dear Service Provider, Join Better Start for a series of online mentoring sessions. Aistear in Practice is a series of online mentoring sessions developed by Better Start to support reflection on practice linked to Aistear, with a focus on quality inclusive...
Statement from DCDE on new NCS Co-payment Functionality
Dear Service Provider, Thank you to all who attended the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) mandatory co-payment functionality webinar on 23 July 2026. The recorded webinar is now available here. There is also a copy of the presentation available here. Two additional...
New NCS co-payment functionality training invite Thursday 30 July 2026
Dear Service Provider, You and your staff are invited to attend online training on the new co-payment functionality to be incorporated into the NCS claim process, which is due to be available on 31 July 2026. The training is intended to provide you with a detailed...
AIM Non-Term applications for 2025/26 closing 14 August 2026
Dear Service Provider, For those that have already submitted an AIM Level 7 Standard Application for 2025/2026 and wish to avail of Non-Term support, please submit any AIM Non-Term applications for the summer period before 14 August 2026. Submitting your application...
Understanding your AIM Level 7 outcome notification
Dear Service Provider, The information below explains what your AIM notification means and how to understand the support approved for a child. This part of the notification tells you which support level has been allocated to a child: AIM Level 7 – Application Outcome ...
Hold Hands Water Safety Programme Free Educational Visits
Dear Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Provider, Water Safety Ireland has requested us to inform you that they are currently offering free educational visits to Early Learning and Care Settings and preschools across the country. As part of these...
AIM Level 1 Application Process for 2026/27 is now open for existing graduates
Dear Service Provider, The application process for AIM Level 1 is now open for existing graduates. 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...
ECCE 2026/2027 registrations now open
Dear Service Provider, Registrations for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme 2026/2027 are now open on the Early Years Hive. The ECCE 2026/2027 programme will commence on Monday 24 August 2026. You can find guidance on how to register a child on ECCE...
Reminder: All NCS claims must be confirmed by parents/guardians to ensure funding.
Dear Service Provider, We would like to remind you that NCS subsidies can only be paid once a CHICK has been registered and the parent/guardian has confirmed that all details are correct via the parent portal. For payments to flow, all claim weeks for a child must be...





