WELCOME TO
CORK COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE

• 17th September

 QIP Plan opens for programme year 2026/2027

• 9th October

Learner Fund Bursary for Graduates and Childminders closes

The Fee Table & Parent Statement Approval Process has begun for 2026/27. Your Development Officer will be in contact with you once they have reviewed the fee table & parent statement for your service. This new process is more complex than approval processes we have completed in previous years. Every effort is being made to review fee tables and parent statements promptly, your patience will be greatly appreciated over the coming weeks and months. Further information on the approvals process can be found in the DCDE announcement here.

If you are an existing Bia Blasta service or are a new Bia Blasta service who has received an invite from DCDE to participate, please review the Announcement on Hive dated 31st August 2026 to check the next steps needed to ensure funding is allocated. 

Tusla have published a Regulatory Notice regarding First Aid Requirements in pre-school services. This notice applies only to pre-school services not to School Age of Childminding services. Click here for notice.

Takes place 5th – 12th October 2026. The RSA has helpful information and resources available via their webpage. Packs for national Beep Beep Day are available to order, please note stocks are limited.

DCDE is inviting childminders and parents to share their experiences and perspectives on the implementation of the new childminding regulations. Feedback gathered through these focus groups will help inform the ongoing review of the regulations and shape future developments in the childminding sector. This is an opportunity to discuss how the regulations are working in practice, the supports available to childminders, any challenges or barriers to registration and compliance, and suggestions for how the system could be improved to better meet the needs of childminders, children and families.

To have your say and join a focus group, book your place now

The 2026/27 Quality and Inclusive Plan (QIP Plan) template opened on the Core Funding Contractual Requirements Reporting System www.cfcrrs.ie this week. The deadline for submission of the 2026/27 QIP Plan is Monday 2nd November 2026. The 2026/27 QIP Plan guidance document and Technical Guidance Videos can be found here. The CCC’s are available to support with the submitting QIP’s.

The AIM Level 1 application process has opened on EY Hive for services with new graduates of the LINC programme. Applications received by 5pm on Thursday 22nd October 2026 will be awarded the additional capitation from the Inclusion Co-ordinator’s employment start date relevant to the 2026/2027 programme year. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as any applications received after this date will not be backdated. Guidance on applications can be found here.

Equal Start Staffing Supports programme year 2026/2027 is now open and will operate from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2027. Services eligible for Equal Start Staffing Supports will have received a notification on the Early Years Hive. Further information on Equal start can be found here.

The NSAI hosted several webinars earlier this year on understanding the updated Aistear in practice. The recording of the webinars is on the Nurturing Skills website and can be accessed here

This training will support understanding of the new childminding regulations and will provide information on what is required to register with Tusla. This is a FREE training course and takes approximately 7 hours to complete. For more information, contact nessa@corkcitychildcare.ie

Dates:     

• Tuesday 13th, 20th, 27th October 10am-12pm

• Monday 02nd, 09th, 16th November 7pm-9pm

Booking link: Childminding Pre-Registration Training Cork City Childcare Committee (Q1) – Fill out form

We invite you to visit our website here and like and follow our Facebook page Cork County Childcare Committee Ltd for updates and relevant content here, and follow us on our Instagram here. 

The 2026 Learner Fund Graduate and Childminder Bursary opened for applications on Monday 14th September and will close at 5pm on Friday 9th October 2026. For applications forms email info@corkchildcare.ie  Completed applications must be received within the deadline by your local County Childcare Committee (CCC) who will process applications, for appraisal by the DCDE.

As you are aware AIM Level 7 has been redesigned this year. AIM Level 7 support is automatically awarded during NCS hours for children with a confirmed NCS claim once their AIM Level 7 confirmation form has been confirmed. Services need to complete a Service Need Review where a child does not require AIM Level 7 support during their National Childcare Scheme (NCS) hours, including NCS Wraparound and NCS Only hours.

The process has changed from an opt-in model to an opt-out model. Where a service determines that a child does not require AIM Level 7 support for some or all of their NCS hours, a Service Need Review must be submitted. The review functionality for the 2026/2027 programme year is not yet available on Early Years Hive. Reviews can be submitted through the Requests page using the following categories: Programme: AIM Level 7    Request Type: Review      Request Type Detail: Standard

The 2026 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Forum takes place in Croke Park, Dublin on 17 November 2026. Further information on the forum and links to register your interest in attending can be found here

This website is your central hub to find information on how the Government is supporting your profession. You will find information on Career development, Qualifications, the learning hub with learning programmes and an array or resources to support your further development, support practice and personal growth. You can access the nurturing skills webpage here.

Childminders play an important role in the lives of children and families across Ireland. New regulations introduced in 2024 are designed to reflect the home setting in which childminders work, while supporting quality and safeguarding children. The regulations are now being reviewed to get an understanding of how they are working in practice. Your voice matters.

Find out more about the review here https://www.letstalkchildminding.ie/  and share your views by taking part in our survey here Have your say