Westmeath County Childcare Committee CLG

20/06/2026

DCDE have scheduled an online session for ELC services interested in making an application for funding under Phase 2 of the Building Blocks Extension programme.



The session is scheduled from 2.30pm to 4pm on Tuesday 23rd June (link below) and will include a short presentation to services on the programme including the application process. There will also be time at the end for a Q&A.



Building Blocks Extension Grant Phase 2 | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_M2MzYzgyMzUtNWY2Zi00Njk4LWE0ZWEtY2M3ZTNhMjcwZmIx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22cffd37b1-d416-411b-938d-3d3a61c6be29%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2231f09fac-8b4a-4099-8808-9dadf17cabe6%22%7d

19/06/2026

📢📢ECCE calendar 2026/2027 update - Important Information

Dear Service Provider,

We would like to advise service providers of a change to the 2026/2027 ECCE Calendar to give greater flexibility to ELC providers to facilitate their obligations under the terms of their ECCE funding agreements i.e. to provide 38 payable weeks/182 days over the 2026/2027 programme year.

The following updates to the minimum payable weeks in Term 1 and Term 3 have been made:

Term 1: will now require 15 minimum payable weeks (previously 16)

Term 3: will now require 8 minimum payable weeks (previously 9)

For further information on ECCE Calendar rules, and guidance on how to submit your calendar please, click here.

If you have any questions or need support, please raise a “Request” with the following selections:

Programme: ECCE
Request Type: ECCE Calendar
Request Type Detail: General

19/06/2026

Aistear Blogs
#22: Aistear and Wellbeing

Aistear (2024) uses four interconnected Themes – Wellbeing, Identity and Belonging, Communicating and Exploring and Thinking to describe holistic learning and development. Wellbeing is about babies, toddlers and young children being confident, sona (happy) and healthy. The Theme retains its dual focus on physical and psychological wellbeing while also embedding updated understandings of rights, agency, participation, relationships and sustainability.

Physical wellbeing relates to health, safety, nutrition, movement, rest and physical comfort. Psychological wellbeing includes emotional security, confidence, resilience and the capacity to think, feel and make sense of experiences. These two elements are inseparable as babies, toddlers and young children cannot feel emotionally secure if their physical needs are unmet, and similarly they cannot participate fully if they feel anxious, distressed or unseen. The Wellbeing Theme highlights that physical and psychological development must be supported together in everyday practice so that babies, toddlers and young children thrive and flourish.

Continue Reading the blog below

https://ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/latest-news/2026/may/aistear-blog-22/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSiHGlleHRu
A2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeW77VzajoV74cKGKQ0i0VWkb6j19jFKaDUEuEwjrhopW22wQ0EZU8sNYa8WU_aem_YWdncwI9qgIaMX9wTWg-IA6KVqhj&brid=YWdncwEvaa7hVI-0fHApz4GBkeug

#22: Aistear and Wellbeing

19/06/2026

Have Your Say on Childminding

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley - TD, has today launched “Let’s Talk Childminding”, a public consultation on Ireland’s new childminding regulations.

The consultation will help review regulations introduced in September 2024, which allow childminders to register with Tusla and join the National Childcare Scheme, giving families access to financial supports.

A transition period is in place until September 2027, after which registration will become mandatory.

Read the full press release here; https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-launches-public-consultation-on-review-of-childminding-regulations/

18/06/2026

ECCE spaces available for September 2026 in Chestnut Hill Montessori Athlone
Contact Lynda on 0876558379 for more information.

18/06/2026

17/06/2026

After a hiatus in 2025, we are delighted that ChildLinks is back in publication. With this issue, as with all past and future issues, we aim to inspire and engage all those dedicated professionals working with children in early childhood and school-age settings in Ireland, as well as those working in support agencies and organisations, and working and studying in higher education institutions.
A key focus of updated Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, is the concept of the agentic child and the agentic educator. In this issue, we consider what agency means for both, and what it looks like in practice. Barnardos Ireland

https://knowledge.barnardos.ie/items/2cfe44ab-263b-4d53-b208-2df3aef4e262

15/06/2026

Applications will remain open until 2pm on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026.

Become a LINC Programme Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) and lead the way in creating inclusive environments in your setting.

15/06/2026

📘 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣. 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The move from preschool to primary school is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s early years, for children and parents alike.

Children don’t arrive at primary school as blank slates. They bring with them the learning, confidence, relationships and skills they’ve already developed through their Early Years experience. This transition is about building on those strong foundations, not starting from scratch.

To support parents and childcare providers during this important time, the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 ( #𝗡𝗣𝗖) is offering 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 during the week of 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

👶 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲:
• How to emotionally prepare children for the transition
• Building resilience and confidence
• Strengthening the relationship between parents, providers and children
• Supporting children to feel secure and ready for their next step

🗓 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
Week beginning 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Each session lasts approximately 𝟳𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀, including live Q&A.

🕰 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀:
• 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺, 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲

ℹ️ 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
• All sessions cover the same information, choose the time that suits you best
• Sessions are not recorded, to support open and respectful discussion
• We ask all participants to engage respectfully during the session
• Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://forms.office.com/e/kitgwpAiZu

Supporting parents, supporting children 💛

15/06/2026

🌡️ Safe Sleep & Summer Temperatures

Have you read the updated Tusla Safe Sleep Policy (December 2025)?

Access guidance here:https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Safe_Sleep_Policy.pdf

As temperatures rise, it's important for childcare providers to remember that overheating is a recognised risk factor during sleep. Current guidance recommends maintaining sleep room temperatures of 16–20°C for babies under 12 months and monitoring rooms regularly to ensure children remain safe and comfortable.

Keeping up to date with safe sleep guidance helps:
✅ Protect children's health and wellbeing
✅ Ensure consistent, evidence-based practice
✅ Support compliance with regulatory requirements
✅ Build confidence with families

Safe sleep is everyone's responsibility. Take time to review the latest guidance with your team.