Fingal County Childcare Committee

02/11/2026

02/11/2026

⏳ ACF for Childminders takes place tomorrow, and there’s still time to register and secure your spot! ⏳

02/11/2026

Early Years Snapshot 2nd November 2026

02/11/2026

Hive Announcement 28.10.2026

The deadline for submission of the 2026/2027 QIP Plan is Monday 2 November 2026

Dear Service Provider,

This is a reminder that the 2026/2027 Quality and Inclusive Practice Plan (QIP Plan) template is now open for completion and will close for submissions at 5pm on Monday 2 November 2026.

Partner Services that enter into contract on or before 31 October 2026 are required to submit a QIP Plan. Failure to submit a QIP Plan may result in Core Funding payments being put on hold.

Once all required questions have been answered a green check mark will appear in the upper right-hand corner, click on the green check mark to submit.

Should you require assistance any stage of your Quality and Inclusive Practice Planning process please contact your local City or County Childcare Committee for support.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

Link to website in comments

02/11/2026

Hive Announcement 28.10.2026

Dear Service Provider,

You are invited to attend an AIM Level 7 end-to-end process training session. The sessions will be held on 5 and 9 November 2026. Join the Early Years Trainers, Sophie and Christine, to explore the full AIM Level 7 process and journey through AIM Level 7 scenarios.

In this training session, we will explore the AIM Level 7:

End-to-End Process
Capitations & Allocations
Child-Need & Service-Need Reviews
AIM Level 7 Scenarios

Webinar Registration Links can be found on the Hive :



AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training - Session 1: 5 November 2026,10:30 am
AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training - Session 2: 5 November 2026, 6:30 pm
AIM Level 7 End to End Process Training - Session 3: 9 November 2026, 2:30 pm



Please note, the content for each session will be the same.



We kindly ask that questions asked on the day are kept to the topic being covered.



Kind Regards,
The Early Years Team



Please Note:

⚠️ The use of AI-based note-taking or recording tools is not permitted. This helps ensure we remain compliant with GDPR and uphold data privacy standards. Pobal is solely responsible for the distribution of any training materials and can share these through appropriate channels. Unauthorised use of AI tools may result in removal from the session, a request for access to generated content, and its deletion.

02/11/2026

THERE ARE A FEW PLACES LEFT ON THIS UPCOMING TRAINING

*******This workshop can be included in your Quality Improvement Plan and Professional Development (QIPP)******


Outdoor Play: Enhancing Children’s Lives
Location: Blanchardstown Library, Dublin 15, Dublin
Date: Friday, November 6
Time: 10 AM - 1 PM 3
Register link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/outdoor-play-enhancing-childrens-lives-tickets-2003360145123?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us to explore how outdoor play can significantly improve children's learning, development, and wellbeing. This session is perfect for professionals working in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services and Childminders.

Hosted by: Fingal County Childcare Committee
Facilitated by: Barnardos
All Fingal ELC and SAC services, as well as childminders, are warmly invited. This workshop can be included in your Quality Improvement Plan and Professional Development (QIPP).

Workshop Overview:
This session will showcase the numerous benefits of outdoor play and underscore the importance of creating outdoor environments for children. Through a collaborative approach, we aim to raise awareness about providing children with opportunities to explore and thrive creatively, ultimately enhancing their overall wellbeing in outdoor settings.

02/11/2026

DCDE NOTIFICATION 02.11.2026
Clár Naíonra ar TG4 - Domhan Draíochtúil an Naíonra!

Dear Provider,

Great News!

We would like to let you all know about a new series on TG4, celebrating the joy of early learning through Irish, showcasing the important work of naíonraí and the positive impact they have on children, families, and communities.

Please feel free to share this information with your networks.

A link to episode 1 is below:

https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/categories/top-documentaries/play/?pid=6407125680112&title=Na%C3%ADonra&series=Na%C3%ADonra&genre=Faisneis&pcode=768005

Episode 2 will be shown on Monday, 2 November, and episode 3 on Monday, 9 November, both at 9pm on TG4.

Kind regards,



Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

30/10/2026

💛 ALWAYS CHILDREN FIRST – FOUNDATION TRAINING FOR CHILDMINDERS
🌈 Every child has a voice. Every child has rights. Every child deserves to be safe.
As childminders, we play an important role in protecting children's wellbeing, respecting their individuality and creating an environment where they feel safe, valued and heard.
But what does safeguarding really mean in our everyday practice?
The Always Children First Foundation Training explores child protection and welfare, helping childminders develop their understanding of their responsibilities, recognise when a child may be at risk and understand how to respond to concerns.
✨ Explore what it means to put children first. ✨ Develop your understanding of child safeguarding. ✨ Reflect on your vital role in protecting children and promoting their wellbeing.
Because safeguarding isn't just about protecting children from harm — it's about recognising their value, respecting their rights and putting their safety first💛 Training is open to Childminders, their emergency cover person and any adult in the household. Childminding resource pack for all participants, scan the QR code to book a place today

30/10/2026

Hive announcement: 29/10/2026
Core Funding November Review and Confirm opens on 1 November 2026

Dear Service Provider,

The November Review and Confirm window will open from 1 November to 14 November 2026.

This process enables Core Funding payments to continue by facilitating Partner Services to review their most recent application information.

Partner Services can complete their Review and Confirm with two options available:

Review and Confirm with Changes
Review and Confirm without Changes

Prior to completing the Review and Confirm process, Partner Services must ensure their Service Profile is up to date and their most recent Core Funding application record is at an ‘Approved’ status. If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason for ‘refer back’ prior to completing the November Review and Confirm process.

If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved' Core Funding application record, on or before the 14 November, prior to the date you complete the Review and Confirm process, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm, choosing the ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ option.

As per the announcements posted on 19 and 22 October, Partner Services are reminded of the importance of reviewing and ensuring that their Service Profile and Core Funding application information, which is used to calculate Core Funding allocations for Core Funding Programme Year 5 (2026/2027), is accurate and up to date. A guidance document, created by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s (DCDE), is available on the Early Years Hive to support Partner Services make updates where there has been a change to a typical week or changes to operating weeks.

If your service requires support, additional resources are available under the Core Funding Documents and Help and Support sections on the Early Years Hive.

Core Funding Payments

After the Review and Confirm window is closed, Core Funding payments will only continue to be processed as per the payment schedule on the Early Years Hive, provided your November Review and Confirm is at an ‘Approved’ status. Please Note: Service Providers who are also eligible for Equal Start Staffing Supports and Bia Blasta for the 2026/2027 programme year may have their payments impacted if the November Review and Confirm is not completed.

If your service requires support, additional resources are available on the Early Years Hive. Your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) also remain available to assist you in completing your Core Funding application record.

If you require any further help or clarification on any of the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Service Request.

Regards,
The Early Years Team