This Weeks News & Information Bulletin
Click HERE for this week in Childcare Bulletin
Deadlines/Important Dates:
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20th February *TODAY*
Parent & Toddler Group grant applications closes
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27th February-31st March
Submission of year 3 Core Funding Trial Balance
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15th April
Childminding Development Grant 2026 application closes
Core Funding Financial Reporting Requirements for 2024/25 Programme Year
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 will open from Friday, 27 February. Supporting documents are available here.
Parent & Toddler Group Grants 2026
Parent & Toddler Group Grants 2026 applications are open until Friday 20 February 2026. Please contact the CCC at 022-23880 or codriscoll@corkchildcare.ie for an application form.
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.
Role of the Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) Posters
The most up to date versions of the Role of the Inclusion Coordinator posters can be accessed on the following links:
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund
Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSFL) is expected to open for applications in Mid-March 2026. NSLF aims to support ELC educators to pursue a Level 7 or Level 8 approved childcare qualification. The eligibility criteria are stated in the document HERE.
Integrated and Playful STEM webinar
This webinar looks at how educators can integrate STEM into our preschool and primary school curriculum through play-based activities while also achieving key learning outcomes. The webinar is on Thursday February 26, 7pm-8.30pm and is facilitated by Paula Walsh.
If you are interested in attending the webinar, please register here.
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.
Training Courses
Cork County Childcare Committee Training
Always Children First: Child Safeguarding Awareness Training for Organisations (Foundation Level)
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Maritime Hotel, Bantry, 14:00 - 17:00, Wednesday 04 & 11 March
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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
Integrated and Playful STEM webinar
This webinar is suitable for teachers and SNAs of preschool, Junior and Senior Infant classes. It looks at how we can integrate STEM into our preschool and primary school curriculum through play-based activities while also achieving key learning outcomes.
Dates: Thursday 26th February 2026
Time: 7-8.30 pm
Facilitator: Paula Walsh
If you are interested in attending the webinar, please register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jrYM1R3pTr2b9GDuBQ1RCQ
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
Exploring and Understanding the Updated Aistear Webinar
The National Síolta Aistear Initiative, in partnership with the NCCA and early years educators working in practice are hosting a national webinar series called: Exploring and Understanding the Updated Aistear: A National Webinar Series. The first webinar of the series will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 7pm - 8 30pm. It is open to all early years educators. You can register your interest in this webinar here.
The First Five Years and School-Age Childcare Consultation Survey
The First Five Years & School Age Childcare Consultation survey is a 12-question online survey for parents, early years educators, providers and other stakeholders as part of the National Conversation on Education. The survey seeks views on priorities for early learning and care, school-age childcare and childminding. The online survey can be accessed here.
Childminding Development Grant 2026
On 9th February, Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability & Equality, announced the opening of the 2026 Childminding Development Grant. The grant application window is from Wednesday, 11th February to Wednesday, 15th 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.
Childminding Development Grant 2026 – Online Information Session
Cork County Childcare Committee & Cork City Childcare Committee will hold online information sessions to answer any questions you may have in relation to the Childminding Development Grant 2026 on:
Wednesday morning 4th March from 10am – 11am & Wednesday evening 4th March from 7pm – 8pm
If you are interested in attending either of these information sessions, then please contact Denise at dquinlan@corkchildcare.ie / 022 23880 to register your interest.
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: Thursday 5th & 12th March from 9.30am – 12.30pm
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
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.
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.
