Featured News

Dear Service Provider,

The code used to identify ELC and SAC services, formally known as the DCYA Ref. Number, has now changed to the Service Ref. Number.

Going forward, you will be asked for your Service Ref. Number when contacting the EYPC and you may have encountered this already.

This change has already automatically taken place on the Early Years Hive and will shortly be occurring on the PIP Portal. There is no action required from service providers except be aware of the new name.

Thank you,
Early Years Team

Minister O’Gorman launches National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare Services

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has launched National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare Services.

The National Quality Guidelines describe the features of good quality practice in childcare services for school-age children, including both after-school and holiday childcare services. The National Quality Guidelines will be an important resource for the diverse range of services that provide school-age childcare in Ireland today.

This publication is the output of a Working Group set up by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in line with the first action identified in the Action Plan for School Age Childcare (2017). The Working Group brought together stakeholders and experts in school-age childcare, who worked intensively over an extended period to develop the Guidelines.

These National Quality Guidelines will assist, guide and inspire school-age childcare services to reach beyond the minimum standards set out in regulations. The Guidelines give central importance to children’s rights, child protection and welfare, equality and diversity, and environmentalism.

Speaking at today’s webinar launch, Minister O’Gorman said:

“I warmly welcome the publication of the National Quality Guidelines. These Guidelines will support school-age childcare providers and practitioners to give the best possible care for children.

“We all want to see childcare places that children will look forward to attending, and the guidelines published today will help achieve that. I would like to thank the Working Group for the effort and care they gave to produce this important resource.”

Consultation played a key part in the development of these guidelines. It included a consultation with children in 2016, a consultation with parents and providers in 2019, and a testing of the final draft Guidelines with a number of providers in 2020.

Minister O’Gorman also today published a report on the public consultation that took place to inform the development of comprehensive regulations and quality standards for school-age childcare. The process included an opportunity for public input into an earlier draft of the quality guidelines.

Minister O’Gorman added:

“The publication of the National Quality Guidelines recognises the importance of school-age childcare in the lives of children and families. The consultation process we carried out is part of our commitment to listen to those involved in school-age childcare and ensure that their voice informs new policy”.

The National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services are available here.

Plans for the roll-out, and training in the use, of the National Quality Guidelines will be announced over the coming months.

Parent & Toddler Group Initiative Grants 2025

Applications for the Parent & Toddler Grants 2025 are now OPEN.

DETAILS LISTED ON PAGE 2 ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY,

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE IS FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2025:  NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME

FOR MORE INFORAMTION PLEASE CONTACT SIOBHAN ON 057 9135878

Would you like to set up a new Parent & Toddler Group in your locality?

A Grant is available, please see information and documents below.

Introduction

The focus of the 2025 Parent and Toddler grants is to support groups to include all families. Parent and Toddler (“P&T”) Groups provide informal support to parents/guardians, grandparents, and childminders, as well as to young children. These groups are an important source of social contact especially for new parents/guardians etc., and families, new to an area.

The CCCs will work directly with P&TGroups in the administration of the grants in 2025. The grant scheme for P&TGroups will operate on an agreed grant cycle and timeframe, and in accordance with agreed national criteria and an approved assessment process.

Information on Grants Available

Applications for funding under this scheme can only be made by P&TGroups that are organised on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents/guardians etc. in the community. Grants normally range from €100 to €1,000 and the following will apply:

• New start-up P&T Groups may apply for a grant of up to €1,000.
• Existing P&T Groups can apply for a grant of up to €800.

Additional Funding

Additional funding is available for the following:

Buggy Walking Group

Additional funding of up to €300 is available for new or existing P&T Groups to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians etc., and their babies and toddlers. They provide a range of benefits including social interaction, physical activity, and emotional peer support. Groups are expected to be inclusive of all comers, but some groups might, for example, only concentrate on new and expectant mums and recently arrived parents and children from other countries.

• These groups, once established, will involve groups of parents/guardians, children etc., meeting for organised walks on a regular basis in their local community.
• These groups must organise at least 6 walking sessions by the end of the year.

The maximum allowable total funding to be granted for 2025 is €1,300 for new groups and €1,100 for existing groups.

Funding will only be available for:

• Toys, equipment, and books for indoor and outdoor activities. All toys should have the CE safety mark.
• Children refreshments and snacks. Food allergies should be considered when buying refreshments for the group. Please avoid fizzy drinks, sweets, and unhealthy snacks.
• Cleaning supplies, e.g. hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes/spray, etc.
• Storage for equipment.
• Certified first aid kit.
• Training for parents/guardians, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, and facilitated sessions.
• Promotional leaflets, including any required translations.
• Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music.
• Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 50% of total funding for existing groups that are part of a larger organisation e.g. a Family Resource Centre, etc. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 50% of total funding.
• Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 60% of total funding for standalone groups not part of a larger organisation. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 60% of total funding.
• Funding will be available towards insurance and rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new groups. The combined spend for insurance and rent cannot exceed the 70% of total funding.
• Funding awarded to Buggy Walking Groups is not eligible to be spent on rent.

Funding will not be available for:

• Groups operating out of private homes.
• P&T Groups with a closing balance of €3,000 or more on 31st December 2024 (except where a P&T Group can provide a signed declaration that the funding available to the P&T Group is under €3,000).
• Groups that received funding in 2024 and did not return the Progress Report and receipts for items purchased with last grant.
• Outings, once-off events, and parties.

Existing groups who do not submit evidence of appropriate insurance when making their application.

Closing Date - Friday 28th March 2025 @ 1pm

Download Documents

Guidelines for Parent & Toddler Groups

Application Form

Data Protection Declaration Form

2024 Annual Income and Expenditure Form (Exsiting Groups Only)

For more information contact:  Siobhán Egan M: 085 178 3397, E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.