Latest News
Read the latest news and updates from Sligo County Childcare Committee below.
Children-First-Awareness-Week-2025
Children First Awareness Week 2025 will take place 15th – 21st September – “We are Children First”
Children First Awareness Week will take place 15th – 21st September with the core message “We Are Children First”. The aim of Children First Awareness Week is to raise awareness of Children First and remind wider society, including organisations working with children...
Learner Fund Bursary
In 2025, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) will open the Learner Fund Graduate Bursary to Early Learning and Care (ELC) educators who graduated in 2024 or 2025 from a Qualification Advisory Board approved course in Early Childhood Education...
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...