Dear Service Provider,
The first stage of Programme Readiness for ECCE, NCS and the CCSP Saver Programme 2025/2026 is now available for services to complete on the Early Years Hive.
Please note, Core Funding 2025/2026 will be available on Monday 9 June. Further details will be posted on the Early Years Hive.
Update on ECCE 2025/2026 Pre-contracting – Staff Qualification Documents
Please note that the requirement for service providers to upload staff qualifications during the ECCE pre-contracting process has been removed from the Early Years Hive for the 2025/2026 programme year. Uploading these documents is no longer a step required when submitting the ECCE Funding Agreement.
As a result, the associated forms - Form 1 (Qualifications Checklist) and Form 2 (Declaration of ECCE Qualifications) - will not be available on the Early Years Hive for the 2025/2026 programme year.
Activating Funding Agreements
Before you can activate a funding agreement, your service must ensure that the following information is up to date for 2025/2026:
- Organisation details
- Service Provider details
- Primary Authorised User (PAU)
- Portal users
- Bank account
- Tusla registration
- Minimum numbers (ECCE only)
Also, that you have submitted the following:
- 2025/2026 Fee Table
- 2025/2026 Service Calendar (per programme)
Once these steps are completed, the Primary Authorised User (PAU) of your service can activate a funding agreement on the All Programme Applications page of the Early Years Hive.
You must also update your Parent Statement for the 2025/2026 programme year, but this step can be completed either before or after you activate a funding agreement.
Below is an important update on the Fee Table and Service Calendar for the 2025/2026 programme year and guidance on programme readiness tasks for each programme.
Fee Table/ Parent Statement and Service Calendar for 2025/2026
You will need to submit your Fee Table and Service Calendar(s) for 2025/2026 before activating a funding agreement for ECCE, NCS, or the CCSP Saver Programme.
- Information on creating your Fee Table and your Parent Statement is available here.
- Information on creating your Service Calendar(s) for 2025/2026 for ECCE, NCS and CCSP Saver Programme can be found under the relevant programme heading on the Help and support page.
Guidance
- Copies of the 2025/2026 funding agreements and programme rules for ECCE, NCS and CCSP Saver Programme can be found under the relevant programme heading on the Programme Documents page.
- Guidance on completing programme readiness steps and activating a funding agreement for ECCE, NCS and CCSP Saver Programme can be found under the relevant programme heading on the Help and support page.
Supports
Training: Training on programme readiness, the Fee Table and the Parent Statement is being held on 9 and 10 June. Training invites were posted on the Announcement page on 30 May.
A pre-recorded training webinar is available here
The PowerPoint slides and a questions and answers document will be available once both training sessions have been completed.
Checklists: Programme Readiness checklists for each programme can be found by clicking the links below:
Help and support: If you have any questions about programme readiness, contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC). Simply raise a Request on the Early Years Hive by selecting the relevant programme and request type from the dropdown menu.
Regards,
The Early Years Team