Fingal County Childcare Committee

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Are you a childminder or parent?

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (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 book your place go to 'Let's talk childminding: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/consultations/lets-talk-childminding/

01/09/2026

Hive Announcement 01.09.2026 - Core Funding August Review & Confirm Window 2026/2027 and Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026

Dear Service Provider,

August Review and Confirm

The August Review and Confirm window closed 31 August 2026.

All details/programme rules related to the August Review and Confirm window were outlined in the previous announcement published on 26 August. Please see that announcement for this information.

Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement

Once a Partner Service has submitted their original Core Funding Application Module, they have a 21-day window to activate the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026.

Once 21 days have passed, the original Core Funding Application Module will be cancelled if the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement has not been accepted, and a new original Core Funding Application Module will need to be submitted.

Important Note: Any service who does not accept their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026, on or before 6 September, will not receive the full 52 weeks of allocations, as Core Funding allocations will be representative of an entitlement from the first Monday for the first allocation week of the programme year, or the Monday of the week the Funding Agreement is accepted, whichever is later. This also applies to Service Providers who are also eligible for Equal Start Staffing Supports from the start of the 2026/2027 programme year.

Partner Services that are in Core Funding for less than a full programme year will be allocated the appropriate number of weekly payments.

Pending ERO for the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2

As previously advised a new funding element, the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2, will be introduced to centre-based services effective. This allocation will be released if and when new Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) are agreed.

Ahead of new EROs, Partner Services will now see the Staff Funding Additional Contribution 2 on Step 4 - Summary Page from the 1 September, with a €0.00 until the EROs have been agreed.

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 assistance 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

01/09/2026

Hive Announcement 01.09.2026

Equal Start Bia Blasta for programme year 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

Equal Start Bia Blasta programme year 2026/2027 opened on the 24 August 2026 and will operate until the end of 2026/2027 ECCE programme year.

To receive payments under Equal Start Bia Blasta programme, a service must meet the following requirements:

Existing Bia Blasta service

Existing Bia Blasta services do not need to opt in again. However, they must:

Submit a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026/2027
Submit an ECCE contract 2026/2027 and have at least one child registered for ECCE

New Bia Blasta service invited to participate by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Opt in for programme year 2026/2027 as per the Department’s email invitation
Submit a Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026/2027
Submit an ECCE contract 2026/2027 and have at least one child registered for ECCE

Bia Blasta allocations will commence from the latest of the following dates:

The first week of the ECCE Programme 2026/2027
The week you opt into Bia Blasta
The week in which you submitted your Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2026/2027
The week in which you submitted ECCE Funding Agreement 2026/2027 and have active ECCE registrations

Services must meet all eligible criteria before funding commences. Services that do not meet the eligibility criteria from the start of the ECCE calendar year 2026/2027 will only receive weekly payments from the date on which all eligible criteria have been met.

Please note that designation as an Equal Start Bia Blasta service does not indicate eligibility for funding under the Equal Start Staffing Supports Programme for the 2026/2027 programme year. Services will be notified of their designation if eligible.

To view Equal Start Bia Blasta allocations, please go the Funding tab on the Early Years Hive.

Further guidance and support are also available on the Early Years Hive in the Equal Start Bia Blasta section of Help and Support.

If you require any further assistance or clarification on the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Service Request on the Early Years Hive.



Regards,
The Early Years Team

01/09/2026

Communication from DCDE the ELC and SAC Division

01 Sep 2026

2026 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Forum: Places Limited!


Dear Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare provider,



Registration of interest in attending the 2026 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Forum, an official conference of Ireland's EU Presidency has now opened.



Please see the details below on how to register your interest:



📢 Register Your Interest: 2026 Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Forum, an official conference of Ireland's EU Presidency. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/education-for-sustainable-development-esd-forum-2026-tickets-1989912008384?aff=oddtdtcreator

📍 Date: 17 November 2026

📍 Location: Croke Park, Dublin

💬Theme: ESD: A Critical Enabler of EU Values and Goals

💬Who should attend? ESD stakeholders in education, policy, research, practice, youth work from across Ireland and Europe interested in exploring the role of ESD in supporting EU priorities and values

➡️ ESD Stakeholders should register your interest today: ESD Forum Registration

🎟️ Places will be allocated by sector. Registration of interest does not guarantee a place at the Forum

📧 For queries, please contact: [email protected]

Kind regards,



Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

31/08/2026

A very warm welcome to all of our LINC Programme 2026/27 students! 🎉

As you begin your orientation and take the first steps on your LINC journey, we'd like to wish each of you the very best of luck for the year ahead.

Over the coming months, you'll have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge, develop your leadership skills, and connect with a community of educators who are passionate about creating inclusive environments for all children.

We hope you enjoy the experience, embrace the learning opportunities ahead, and take pride in all that you achieve throughout the LINC Programme.

We look forward to supporting you every step of the way. 💙

31/08/2026

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley - TD, welcomes important improvements to the National Childcare Scheme, with increased subsidies set to support up to 47,000 children and help reduce childcare costs for families.

Read our full press release here; https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-announces-increased-childcare-subsidies-for-47000-children-today/

31/08/2026

Children grow and develop fast, eating the right amount of a variety of foods can help children grow, learn, and play well.

Read our tips on how to prepare a healthy lunchbox for your child: https://bit.ly/45Icl3b

31/08/2026

Lámh Module One: Places now available for September 2026

https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/lamh-module-one-places-now-available-for-september-2026/

There are currently a limited number of places available on upcoming training for September 2026.

This course is for staff members and professionals who have started to work in an environment where Lámh is used and covers 100 Lámh signs and how to support a Lámh user.

The training is delivered in a blended approach combining Moodle (approx. 3hours) and a practical signing session online (approx. 3.5hours).

The e-learning material on Moodle must be completed before coming to the signing session.

Sessions available for Lámh Module One – Practical Signing Session – Online Webinar:

Saturday 5 September 2026 09.30
Wednesday 9 September 2026 17.30
Monday 14 September 2026 18.00
Wednesday 16 September 2026 18.00
Monday 21 September 2026 17.30
Wednesday 23 September 2026 17.30
Wednesday 23 September 2026 18.00
Thursday 24 September 2026 18.30
Saturday 26 September 2026 09.00
How to enroll in this course

Learners can enroll to this course on the Nurturing Skills Learning Hub. Each learner must have an email account personal to them. If you have access to an account already, go to the course catalogue and select the Lámh Module One Online Courses 2026.

To set up an account on the Learning Hub, please follow the steps in this video guide: https://vimeo.com/1087090473

For queries contact: [email protected]

To find out more about this course, watch this short video

https://www.lamh.org/