This Weeks News & Information Bulletin
Click HERE for this week in Childcare Bulletin
Deadlines/Important Dates:
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31 March
Closing date for submission of year 3 Core Funding Trial Balance
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15th April
Childminding Development Grant 2026 application closes
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1st May
Applications close for Nurturing Skills Learner Fund
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026/27
Applications for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) for the academic year 2026/2027 opened on 10 March 2026. NSLF aims to assist early year’s educators to pursue early learning and care (ELC) qualifications at level 7 and level 8 that have been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) while continuing to work in the sector. Applications are submitted via the NSLF student portal. Register on the NSLF student portal by sending a request to NSLF@pobal.ie. The portal will close for applications on 1 May 2026 at 5 pm.
A training session on the NSLF Registration, Employment Record and Student Application will be held on 19 March 2026 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. To register follow the link here. A recorded training webinar is now available on the Early Years Hive and the NSLF Student Portal, along with the PowerPoint slides from the training sessions.
Students who successfully received NSLF funding for the Academic Year 2024/2025 and/or 2025/2026 and wish to continue to receive NSLF funding for 2026/2027 will be contacted directly in early summer asking individuals to verify their continuing eligibility for NSLF. Once eligibility is confirmed a new letter of Conditional Funding will issue to the student for the Academic Year 2026/2027.
Childminding Development Grant 2026
The Childminding Development Grant is open for applications until Wednesday, 15 April 2026. For further information about the Childminding Development Grant 2026, including the application form, visit Cork County Childcare Committee or contact Denise Quinlan at dquinlan@corkchildcare.ie / (022) 23880.
Tusla Dedicated Contact Points
The Dedicated Contact Points (DCP) have changed to reflect new structures and networks within Tusla. Some old DCP numbers may remain in use until all changes have been finalised.
The DCP’s for Cork are:
Cork North-West & Cork East 021-4927000
Cork South West 021-4923001
North Cork – Kerry 064-6678065
Cork North – South Tipperary 052-6177302
The full contact details for DCP’s at county level can be found here.
Tusla Update
Tusla have updated Policy Guidance Documents for the Early Years Sector on their website. The documents can be access from Early Years Provider Resources page or directly on the new Policy Guidance Documents for the Early Years Sector page. There is an updated and revised A Practical Guide to Developing Policies, Procedures and Statements in Early Years Services
Core Funding Financial Reporting Requirements for 2024/25
All Partner Services who received Core Funding during the 24/25 Programme Year are required to engage an accountant to submit a full Trial Balance for Year 3 of Core Funding. The CFCRRS portal opened on Friday, 27 February and will close 31 March 2026. Supporting documents are available here.
St. Patrick's Day Autism Social Story
Click Here to find a St Patrick's Day Autism Social Story developed by Flourish Autism Consultancy and Training which may be useful in supporting Autistic children across the early years setting. Further complimentary Autism resources are available here and www.littlepuddins.ie
Training Courses
Cork County Childcare Committee Training
Always Children First: Child Safeguarding Awareness Training for Organisations (Foundation Level)
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Clonakilty Park Hotel, Clonakilty, 09:30 – 16:30, Saturday 18 April
Each participant must complete both the universal 'Children First E-learning Programme' and the 'Mandated Persons' E-learning Programme (available on the Tusla website and links below) prior to attending the course.
Universal E-Learning: Children First E-Learning ProgrammeTusla - Child and Family Agency
Mandated Persons E-Learning: Children First: Mandated Person Role and Responsibilities | Rise 360
Pre-Registration Training for Childminders
Cork County Childcare Committee is delighted to offer Pre-Registration Training to anyone who is interested in finding out more about childminding. This is a mandatory training programme for childminders who wish to register with Tusla. For any potential childminders, this training will support understanding of the new childminding regulations and will provide guidance on what is required to register with Tusla. This is a FREE training course and takes approximately 7 hours to complete. There is no assessment, and participants will receive a certificate upon completion. Please see additional information on the Childminders tab above Training and Events.
The upcoming online training dates are as follows:
Online: Wednesday 15th, 22nd & 29th April from 10am – 12pm
Online: Wednesday 13th May & 20th May from 6.30pm to 9.30pm
If you are interested in attending any of these Pre-Registration Training Courses, please click on the link below to book your place:
Childminding Pre-Registration Training Cork County Childcare Committee 2026 – Fill in form
Please contact Denise at dquinlan@corkchildcare.ie / 087 1044448 with any queries.
Cork City Childcare Committee Childminding Pre-Registration Training dates:
In Person: Sat 21st March Location: Cork City Childcare, T12P9PV Time: 10am - 4pm
Online: Weds 15th, 22nd & 29th April Time: 10am - 12pm
Online: Weds 13th & 20th May Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Booking link: Childminding Pre-Registration Training Cork City Childcare Committee (Q1) – Fill out form For more information contact nessa@corkcitychildcare.ie
QIPP Report Template 2025/2026.
The Core Funding QIPP Report Template 2025/26 is now open on the CFCRRS Portal. The deadline for completion of the 2025/26 QIPP Report is Friday, 31 July 2026.
Water Safety Ireland Survey
Water Safety Ireland is currently undertaking an independent evaluation of the Hold Hands Water Safety Programme for young children. As part of this evaluation, Water Safety Ireland is inviting all early learning and care settings to take part in a short online survey. The online survey can be accessed here.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026
Seachtain na Gaeilge runs for 01 – 17 March. It’s a great opportunity to weave Irish into everyday life in simple ways. You will find some games you can download and useful phrases through the following link. Games – Seachtain na Gaeilge
Cork County Childcare Committee was formed in 2001 and is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to improve the quality of childcare in Cork County.
In addition to supporting the administration of all Government funding programmes for childcare; City and County Childcare Committees work with early childhood services and childminders looking for support with quality development, HR, governance, financial sustainability and continuing professional development.
We also work with Parents to locate childcare best suited to their families needs, and advise on relevant government funded schemes etc.
