Childcare News

Dear Provider, On Tuesday, I announced a total of €1.37 billion in funding under Budget 2025 for early learning and childcare. This allocation represents a 24% increase on last year’s funding or an additional €266 million. The specific detail of the allocation...

​Dear Service Provider, The first AIM Plus payments will be processed week commencing 30 September for applications which are at Approved (Level 7 capitation allocated) or Approved (existing Level 7 capitation in place).   Applications which were submitted by 25...

Dear Service Provider, You are invited to attend training on the NCS Compliance Process 2024/2025. The training has been scheduled for the following dates and times: Monday 16 September 2024 at 10am and 6.30pm Tuesday 17 September 2024 at 2.30pm. The training will...

​Dear Service Provider, The AIM Level 7 Plus and Non-Term application process recently opened on the Early Years Hive. Below are links to the webinar recording, slides from the webinar and a questions and answers document (Q &A) from the training sessions. AIM...

Dear Service Provider,  The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are now open for the 2024/2025 programme year.   You can find guidance and documentation on the Early Years Hive to support you with ECCE and NCS.  ...

Dear Service Provider, The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) rules for the 2024/2025 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme year are now available on the Early Years Hive here. The AIM rules are a useful resource for parents and the Early Learning and Care...

​Dear Service Provider, The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver Programme is now open for the 2024/2025 programme year. You can find guidance and documentation on the Early Years to support you with the CCSP Saver Programme.   Regards, The Early Years...

Dear Service Provider,   Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary 2024 is open to applications from 12 August to 27 September 2024.   The Learner Fund offers a bursary to early years educators and registered childminders, who are working in the sector, and...

Dear Service Provider, Attached are the Equal Start Rules for 2024/2025 programme year which was recently shared by DCEDIY. The Equal Start Rules will also be published on the Gov.ie and First 5 webpages. If you need any further supports or have any questions, please...

​Submit your NCS 2024 funding agreement Dear Service Provider, The new NCS programme year opens on 19 August 2024. You must activate the NCS 2024/2025 funding agreement before the current year’s agreement ends on 18 August 2024. This is to ensure continued...