Latest News
Read the latest news and updates from Sligo County Childcare Committee below.
National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is now open
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...
Bia Blasta – the Pre-school Nutrition Programme
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...
CCSP 2025 Saver Programme is now open
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...
Guidance for additional questions on AIM Level Plus and Non-term applications
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...
National Childcare Scheme (NCS) 2025 funding agreement: Important updates and a reminder to activate
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...
AIM Level 1 application process 2025/2026 for existing graduates opens 22 July
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...
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 on the NCS parent portal. Please review any unconfirmed claims for your service...
AIM Level 7 Plus and Non-term applications are now open
Dear Service Provider, Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) Level 7, Plus and Non-term applications open on the Early Years Hive from 9am today. A new AIM Plus and Non-term application must be submitted for the 2025/2026 programme call. AIM Level 4, Level 5 and Level 7...
Core Funding 2025/2026 reminder
Dear Service Provider, This is a reminder that the application process for the Core Funding 2025/2026 programme year opened on 9 June 2025. You can submit a Core Funding application for the 2025/2026 programme year on the Core Funding Application page under the...