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The deadline for submitting this year’s Early Years Service Profile is 5pm, Friday 27th April.  

The data provided by early years service providers is critical to understanding and mapping trends in the sector and will be used by 

Government to inform future policy and planning at both local and national levels.  

The information provided in this year’s survey will be particularly important for planning capacity at a local level, capital funding and promoting accessibility for people with disabilities.

Where can I access the survey?

When you login to the PIP portal, you will land on the ‘Service’ page which contains a link to the ‘Early Years Service Profile 2017/2018.’

How long will it take to complete the Service Profile?

The length of time it takes to complete the survey depends on the size of your service, the number of staff and number of children enrolled.

Based on feedback from previous years, it should take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete a survey. The service profile contains a ‘Save as Draft’ function so that it can be completed in more than one sitting.

Are guidelines available for filling out the form?

The Early Years Service Profile Guidelines 2017/2018 provides helpful tips for completing your survey.

You can also find these guidelines in the How to Guides section in PIP Resources.

Who do we contact for help?

If your service has any questions about the Early Years Service Profile, please contact the Pobal Helpdesk at:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 01 511 7222

AIM CPD Training Funding

We are pleased to let you know, that a CPD fund for Early Years settings to contribute to costs of staff attending AIM L3 Hanen and Lámh training has been announced as a pilot project by Minister Katherine Zappone.

Payment of €13 per hour, for up to 18 hours training will be payable on completion of one or both of these two courses, currently being offered by Better Start. In order to be eligible for payment the courses must be fully completed (all modules) and attendance certified. Hanen Teacher Talk Modules A, B & C (18 hours) and Lámh one day course (6 hours).

Details on how to apply for payment and the payment process will be provided over the coming weeks. Participants who attended the first round of training in March and who go on to complete the training in April and May will be eligible, as will those starting in April and finishing in June.

What is the Early Years Service Profile?

The Early Years Service Profile is an annual survey completed by early years service providers. The survey is developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Pobal in consultation with key stakeholders and it is the primary source of data on the Irish early years sector.

The data provided by all respondents is critical to understanding and mapping trends in the sector and is used by Government to inform future policy and planning at both local and national levels.

Services are asked to complete the service profile for each facility (i.e. one for each DCYA Reference).

What data is collected through the Early Years Service Profile?

A wide range of data is collected in the service profile. This data is categorised under four main headings
· Service Details and Provision
· Capacity and Attendance
· Child Protection
· Staffing (numbers, qualification, level of turnover, etc.)

Who will have access to this data?

Data will be made available to:
Government Departments (e.g. Department of Education and Skills Early Years Inspectorate)
Organisations conducting research and analysis on behalf of Government Departments
Statutory agencies (e.g. Tusla Early Years Inspectorate)
Better Start Early Years Specialist Service
City/County Childcare Committees

Data on capacity and attendance may also be shared with Local Authorities to inform local planning and development priorities.

Data may also be combined with findings from other surveys of the early years sector conducted on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Summary data will also be shared with a range of organisations for research and statistical purposes. For more information about sharing of summary data, please read Section 0. Intro in your service profile.

Where can I access the survey?
When you login to the PIP portal, you will land on the ‘Service’ page which contains a link to the ‘Early Years Service Profile 2017/2018.’

What is the deadline for completing this survey?

The deadline for completing your survey is 5pm on Friday 27th April.

How long will it take to complete the Service Profile?

The length of time it takes to complete the survey depends on the size of your service, the number of staff and number of children enrolled.

Based on feedback from previous years, it should take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete a survey. The service profile contains a ‘Save as Draft’ function so that it can be completed in more than one sitting.

Are guidelines available for filling out the form?

The Early Years Service Profile 2017/2018 Guidelines provides helpful tips for completing your survey.

You can also find these guidelines in the How to Guides section in PIP Resources.

Who do we contact for help?

If your service has any questions about the Early Years Service Profile, please contact the Pobal Helpdesk at:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 01 511 7222

AIM Inclusive Play website is now live...

AIM Inclusive Play is the latest addition to the suite of supports provided under the Access and Inclusion Model. AIM Inclusive Play is a set of sensory and educational play resources to support inclusive practice within pre-school settings. This website supports the appropriate and effective use of these resources.

Follow the link to the website below and take a look at videos and resources to support inclusive play in early years services.

http://play.aim.gov.ie/

Please find below  two posters for  Triple P Programmes commencing in Offaly this spring. The Junior programme is for parents of children aged from 2 to 10 years, while the Teen programmes are for parents of children aged 11 to 15years.