Featured News

The DCYA has attended the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) which met this morning to plan for severe weather conditions expected later this week.

DCYA is asking childcare services to be aware of local weather warnings and travel restrictions that may affect their service.

We encourage childcare services and parents to visit the Winter Ready website for advice (www.winterready.ie) and make the appropriate preparations to minimise disruptions.

The safety and welfare of children, providers, staff and parents is paramount and should be carefully considered by each service.

Should conditions worsen throughout the week childcare providers affected by the weather conditions should note that Clause 12 of the Grant Agreement for DCYA programmes refers to Force Majeure and the fact that services forced to close will be paid for children registered for current schemes.
In the event that you must invoke Force Majeure, please download and complete the Force Majeure form from PIP and send onwards to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. within four weeks.

Should you require support with this process please contact Online Support by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01 511 7222

DCYA will continue to update the sector via PIP updates and communication with stakeholders throughout this weather event. We ask that services in turn keep parents updated of the situation in their area. Please stay safe throughout these adverse conditions.

Offaly County Childcare Committee are hosting an evening to celebrate International Women's Day.

Come and join us for an evening of Mindfulness with Gaye Mullen

• Discover how a simple Mindful session can reduce stress and anxiety!
• See how mindfulness can help you find a calming life /work balance!
• Discover amazing benefits!
• Boost your happiness mindfully!

This practical and fun workshop will introduce you to Mindfulness and Meditation .

Gaye Mullen has practised Mindfulness for the past 25 years having studied the mindfulness approach Heartfeltness' in America.

Gaye established the successful Punchestown AMI School which offers the full AMI Montessori structure. She also runs Parenting Workshops, Mindfulness & Well being classes, one to one sessions and mentoring.

See poster for full details

Better Start AIM Hanen Teacher Talk training programmes

A new programme of specialised training for Early Years Practitioners will be rolled out as part of the AIM programme. The first round of training is Hanen Teacher Talk, which is a certified 3 day course which will be delivered by Better Start Early Years Specialists.

Better Start are collaborating with Teacher Education Centres around the country to ensure local delivery of training. The first round of training will begin in March and April 2018 in Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Leitrim, Limerick and Wexford and will take place on one Saturday per month. ECCE services in receipt of AIM targeted support (Levels 4-7) will be invited to apply.

Further training courses will be available throughout 2018. More information will follow shortly. Watch this Space!

€6.8m Grants open for extra Childcare spaces, play areas and maintenance
Monday 12th February – Friday 9th March

Childcare centres are being invited to apply for €6.8m in funding for extra spaces, natural outdoor play areas and maintenance work, according to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone.

Applications open today (12th February 2018) for childcare and school age services to apply for the capital grants across a range of strands.

Making the announcement Minister Zappone added

“This year we will invest €485 million, an increase of 80% over the last three budgets, to continue working towards accessible affordable quality childcare.

On the capital grants in particular, I know from my visits to services throughout the country how important it is that we continue to invest and build the infrastructure and capacity of the early years sector.

The inclusion of natural outdoor play areas in particular is allowing our children to explore more and seek adventure in a learning environment. I am delighted to support this work with a significant capital investment – which will benefit children, parents and providers in the coming months.

I encourage all providers to see how the funding can be used to boost or improve their existing services and facilities.”

The application window for the 2018 Early Years and School Age Capital Grants opened today Monday 12th February at 12.00am. Services can apply through the PIP system for the next four weeks, until 3.00pm on Friday 9th March.

The Minister has previously outlined the €6.86 million to be spent across Early Year and School Age Childcare under five funding strands as follows:

Detailed guidelines on how to apply are available on PIP and services are encouraged to contact their local City / County Childcare Committee (CCC) for any additional support or advice on their application.

Capital 2018 Guidelines