The November Review and Confirm window will open from 1 November to 14 November 2026.

This process enables Core Funding payments to continue by facilitating Partner Services to review their most recent application information.

Partner Services can complete their Review and Confirm with two options available:

1. Review and Confirm with Changes
2. Review and Confirm without Changes

Prior to completing the Review and Confirm process, Partner Services must ensure their Service Profile is up to date and their most recent Core Funding application record is at an ‘Approved’ status.  If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason for ‘refer back’ prior to completing the November Review and Confirm process.

If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved’ Core Funding application record, on or before the 14 November, prior to the date you complete the Review and Confirm process, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm, choosing the ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ option.

As per the announcements posted on 19 and 22 October, Partner Services are reminded of the importance of reviewing and ensuring that their Service Profile and Core Funding application information, which is used to calculate Core Funding allocations for Core Funding Programme Year 5 (2026/2027), is accurate and up to date. A guidance document, created by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s (DCDE), is available on the Early Years Hive to support Partner Services make updates where there has been a change to a typical week or changes to operating weeks.

If your service requires support, additional resources are available under the Core Funding Documents and Help and Support sections on the Early Years Hive.

Core Funding Payments

After the Review and Confirm window is closed, Core Funding payments will only continue to be processed as per the payment schedule on the Early Years Hive, provided your November Review and Confirm is at an ‘Approved’ status. Please Note: Service Providers who are also eligible for Equal Start Staffing Supports and Bia Blasta for the 2026/2027 programme year may have their payments impacted if the November Review and Confirm is not completed.

If your service requires support, additional resources are available on the Early Years Hive. Your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) also remain available to assist you in completing your Core Funding application record.

If you require any further help or clarification on any of the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Service Request.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

You are invited to attend an AIM Level 7 end-to-end process training session. The sessions will be held on 5 and 9 November 2026. Join the Early Years Trainers, Sophie and Christine, to explore the full AIM Level 7 process and journey through AIM Level 7 scenarios.

In this training session, we will explore the AIM Level 7:

• End-to-End Process
• Capitations & Allocations
• Child-Need & Service-Need Reviews
• AIM Level 7 Scenarios

Webinar Registration Links:

• AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training – Session 1: 5 November 2026,10:30 am
• AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training – Session 2: 5 November 2026, 6:30 pm
• AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training – Session 3: 9 November 2026, 2:30 pm  

Please note, the content for each session will be the same.

We kindly ask that questions asked on the day are kept to the topic being covered.

Kind Regards,
The Early Years Team

Please Note:

⚠️ The use of AI-based note-taking or recording tools is not permitted. This helps ensure we remain compliant with GDPR and uphold data privacy standards. Pobal is solely responsible for the distribution of any training materials and can share these through appropriate channels. Unauthorised use of AI tools may result in removal from the session, a request for access to generated content, and its deletion.

As we approach the October mid-term break, we want to remind Partner Services of the importance of reviewing and ensuring that their Service Profile and Core Funding application information, which is used to calculate Core Funding allocations for Core Funding Programme Year 5 (2026/2027), is accurate and up to date.

Please note in particular that if there are changes to the Operating Weeks at a room or service level, a Partner Service must submit an Application Change to reflect the reduction in weeks. Any change to the Operating Weeks per Year alters the level of operations which the Partner Service originally committed to delivering in their original approved Application Module. Therefore, the Change Effective Date associated with any change to the Operating Weeks per Year must be set as the date of submission of the original Core Funding Application Module.

Partner Services are reminded that the Agreement for the Provision of Core Funding Programme year 5(2026/2027) states that “All information about a Partner Service and its Service Profile together with the relevant information about their Core Funding Application on the Early Years Hive must be kept up to date throughout the Programme Year. Failure to update the information may result in their Core Funding allocation being placed on hold or terminated in the manner set out at Clause 7 and 8”.

As per the announcement posted on 19 October, a guidance document, created by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s (DCDE), is available on the Early Years Hive to support Partner Services.

This should be read and used alongside the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, Core Funding Programme Rules, and other guidance documents available on the Early Years Hive.

Your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) also remain available to assist you in completing your Core Funding application record.

If you require any further assistance or clarification on any of the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Service Request.

Regards,

The Early Years Team

The backdating deadline for AIM level 1 applications is today.

All applicants are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible.

Applications received by 5pm on Thursday 22 October 2026 will be awarded the additional capitation from the Inclusion Co-ordinator’s employment start date relevant to the 2026/2027 programme year.

Any applications after this date will not be backdated and funding will commence from the Monday following approval.

Please see ‘How to submit an AIM Level 1 application’ on the AIM Level 1 section of Help & Support on the Early Years Hive for guidance. Service providers must ensure that they have completed their ECCE programme readiness steps and activated the ECCE Funding Agreement.

If you require further assistance in relation to the AIM Level 1 application process, please raise a Service Request on the Hive using the following categories:

• Programme: AIM Level 1
• Request Type: Application
• Request Type Detail: How To

Regards,
The Early Years Team

20 October 2026

National Childminding Week Highlights the Value of Childminders

Childminders play a vital role in cities, towns, villages and communities across Ireland. They support parents to work, study and train, while giving children enriching early learning experiences in a safe, nurturing home-from-home environment.

As demand for high-quality childcare continues to grow, the contribution of childminders has never been more important.

National Childminding Week is a chance to raise awareness of childminding and to celebrate the dedication childminders show every day. It also promotes childminding as a high-quality childcare option, one that offers flexibility, continuity of care and the comfort of a home setting, with benefits that reach well beyond the family.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said:

“Childminders make a real and lasting difference to children and families across Ireland. In homes in every county, they help children learn, play and grow in confidence, become a trusted extension of the families they care for, and give parents the reassurance to work, study and train knowing their children are safe, settled and loved.

National Childminding Week is our opportunity to say thank you. I encourage families and communities everywhere to take a moment this week to celebrate the childminders who mean so much to them.”

Throughout National Childminding Week, a range of local events and activities will take place nationwide. These events will provide opportunities for childminders to connect with one another, share experiences, learn about available supports and celebrate the positive impact they have on the lives of the families they support.

To find out about events and activities taking place in your area during National Childminding Week, visit www.letstalkchildminding.ie.

Local Childcare Committees are available to support any childminder, or anyone thinking of becoming one, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/city-and-county-childcare-committees/

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• National Childminding Week takes place from 19 to 23 October 2026.
• The week aims to:
  • Celebrate the contribution of childminders to children, families and communities.
  • Raise awareness of childminding as a high-quality childcare option.
  • Promote understanding of the unique benefits of childminding.
  • Provide opportunities for childminders to connect, share experiences and learn about available supports.
• Events and activities will take place nationwide throughout the week.
• Further information is available at www.letstalkchildminding.ie.

With apologies, the list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the impacts of Budget 2027 on the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sector which we shared with you a short time ago was not the final version.

Ignore that last email and instead, please access the finalised FAQs by clicking this link here: Budget 2027 FAQs for Providers

Kind regards,

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

As Early Learning and Care settings complete their Quality and Inclusive Practice Plans (QIPPs), the Better Start Quality Development Service is available to support the implementation of quality development goals identified within the plan.

Through on-site and online mentoring, Better Start Early Years Specialists work alongside settings to support reflection, quality improvement and meaningful practice development linked to their identified priorities.

If you would like mentoring support as part of your QIPP, you can apply through the Early Years Hive and select Better Start Quality Development Service as a quality development action.

Not sure if mentoring is right for your setting? You can raise a request through the Early Years Hive to speak with a member of the Better Start Quality Development Service team. We would be happy to discuss how mentoring works and explore how we can support your quality development goals.

View our short video to learn more about mentoring and how to apply through Hive.

]]> https://www.sligochildcare.ie/distribution-of-book-pack-to-equal-start-services/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=distribution-of-book-pack-to-equal-start-services Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:32:01 +0000 https://www.sligochildcare.ie/?p=10704 Dear Colleagues,

The Department funded Pavee Point to develop a book pack of three books for Traveller children under 8 years. In the pack is:

• The Slug and Snail, written by Oein DeBhairduin and illustrated by Olya Anima and is best described as an Irish Traveller folktale for children.
• The Fairy Queen, written by Chrissy Donoghue Ward and illustrated by Monika Mitkute, a tale rooted in the oral story telling tradition of the Irish Traveller community.
• Sheila’s Busy Day, a book for young pre-schoolers written by Oein DeBhairduin, a wonderful real life telling of pre-schooler Sheila as she goes through her busy day.

The publication and distribution of culturally appropriate books is an action of the Traveller Roma Education Strategy. With this book pack we can be assured that young Traveller children have access to a number of high-quality Irish books supporting their culture and identity.  The books are at the printers and ready to go out to Equal Start early learning and care services in the coming weeks. The expectation is that these packs will eventually be available to all partner services in the months ahead.

If you are an Equal Start setting and have not received your book pack by the end of October, can you please contact the Equal Start Team at EqualStart@dcde.gov.ie to let us know.

Kind regards,

The Equal Start Team

As the October mid-term approaches, please remember to undertake the following tasks for NCS:

• Update your NCS service calendar to reflect any changes to your opening hours during the mid-term.
• Update your NCS service calendar with all planned closures, noting that all service providers have 10 allowable subsidised closures per programme year.
• Update claims to reflect any increased hours of attendance during the mid-term and ensure that this is confirmed with the parent/guardian.

Any increased claims must be amended once the children return to ECCE/school post mid-term. NCS subsidies cannot be claimed for hours that a child is in ECCE/school, or hours that your service is closed. Any over-claimed hours are liable to be recouped.

• If you are intending on closing for an extended period, please end date any existing claims for this period.

We advise making any necessary changes as soon as possible to ensure there are no issues when returns are submitted, and payments processed.

For further information on service calendars, please see the guidance available on the Early Years Hive here.

NCS Bridging Provisions

If your service is closed for a full week and at least one of those days is designated as a subsidised closure, you will be given the option to request a bridging provision for the closed week(s) on the NCS return one week prior to the closure.

The bridging provision allows you to receive 90% of the provisional allocations for the week(s) you are closed without the requirement to complete a return on time. You will be blocked from submitting the weekly return during this time as you will only be required to complete a fast return the following week.

ECCE: Service calendar

Providers in contract for the ECCE programme are reminded that changes to service calendars must be first approved by County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and parents must be given 20 working days’ notice in writing of any change to the service’s calendar.

Copies of such notices must be kept on file for compliance purposes.

Approved providers in contract for the ECCE programme must be open for 38 weeks over the programme year.

For further information on service calendars, please contact your local CCC or refer to the ECCE Service Calendar section of Help & Support.

If you require further assistance, please raise a Service Request using the following categories:

• Programme: ECCE
• Request Type: ECCE Calendar
• Request Type Details: General

CCSP Saver Programme: Amending sessions (e.g. a child is moving from part-time to full-time)

If a registration is changing and needs to be updated from part-time to full-time, please input a CCSP Leaver with the date the child is changing service level. A new registration should then be created with the updated level of service for the appropriate period, within 6 weeks of the start date of the new registration.

Please see ‘How to end/add a CCSP Saver Programme child registration’ on the CCSP child registration section of Help & Support for guidance:

If you require further assistance, please raise a Service Request using the following categories:

• Programme: CCSP
• Request Type: Registrations
• Request Type Details: Leaver

Regards,
Early Years Team