Childcare News

Dear Service Provider, To ensure that Access and Inclusion (AIM) supports are in place for eligible children for the 2025/26 programme call, please submit your AIM Level 4 and Level 7 applications as early as possible. Please note, in order for service providers to...

Dear Service Provider, 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. All applicants are...

Dear Service Provider, We wish to advise you 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...

Learner Fund Bursary 2025 – Applications Opening 15/09/2025! Applications will open for the Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary 2025 on Monday 15th September! Both schemes aim to support Early Learning & Care graduates and registered childminders who...

Dear Service Provider, The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is now open for the 2025/2026 programme year. Please ensure that you have activated your NCS 2025/2026 funding agreement. You can find guidance and documentation on the Early Years Hive, to support you with...

Dear Service Provider, Minister Foley launched the Bia Blasta pre-school nutrition scheme for pre-school children in disadvantaged areas. Bia Blasta - the Pre-school Nutrition Programme, is a key funding programme under the Equal Start model. It supports the provision...

Dear Service Provider, The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver Programme is now open for the 2025/2026 programme year. You can find guidance and documentation on the Early Years to support you with the CCSP Saver Programme. Regards, The Early Years...

Dear Service Provider, Please note, additional information is now required when submitting an AIM Level 7 Plus and/or Non-term application for the 2025/2026 programme call. New questions have been added under the ‘Session ratio questions’ section of the application to...

​Dear Service Provider, The new National Childcare Scheme (NCS) programme year opens on 18 August 2025.   You will need to activate the NCS 2025/2026 funding agreement before the current year’s agreement ends on 17 August 2025. This is to ensure continued...

​Dear Service Provider,   AIM Level 1 applications for existing graduates will open on the Early Years Hive on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. The AIM Level 1 application supports the increased ECCE capitation, funded by DCDE in recognition of the leadership and mentoring...