Dear Service Provider,
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) applications for the academic year 2025/2026 are now open and will close on 1 May 2025 at 5pm.
Please advise your staff to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a link to the NSLF Student Portal in order to register on the NSLF Student Portal, upload employment details and complete the new application process.
Eligibility:
Those wishing to make an application must meet the following eligibility criteria for the NSLF:
- be working with children in a Tusla-registered Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School Age Childcare (SAC) service,
- the service in which the applicant is working in, must have a current signed Core Funding contract with DCEDIY.
- Applicants must have worked within an ELC or SAC service for the six months prior to their application.
- Applicants must have a current application/offer for 2025/26 entry to a Level 7/8 Degree course approved by the Qualification Advisory Board (QAB) that is eligible for NSLF.
- be a new entrant to an Approved Course for the academic year commencing 2025/2026 (Autumn 2025)
- not be an ELC educator or SAC practitioner currently undertaking the completion of an Approved Course or an equivalent degree; and
- not be an ELC educator or SAC practitioner who has already completed an Approved Course or equivalent degree.
For clarity purposes, at time of application an applicant must not hold (or be undertaking) an Approved Course at level 7 or level 8 in Early Learning and Care.
Regards,
The Early Years Team