Fingal County Childcare Committee

19/06/2026

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

Changes in Circumstances

Change in Circumstances applications that are submitted before 1st July 2026 (including the submission of all required documentation) will be approved for September 2026. Applications submitted after this date are unlikely to be approved in time.

All applications must be submitted via the Change in Circumstance and Registration Renewal Portal.

The Inspectorate has introduced a simpler and more secure way for you to submit Change in Circumstance applications. These applications have moved from email submission to the Tusla Change in Circumstance and Registration Renewal Portal (available here: Tusla Portal), in line with the existing registration renewal process. A range of guidance materials have been published to support providers.

18/06/2026

𝗜𝗚 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 💛

18/06/2026

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.

18/06/2026

🔔Attention Early Years and School Age Childcare Providers🔔

Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the updated Garda Vetting guidance issued by Tusla.
When recruiting new staff or volunteers, it is essential to allow sufficient time for the Garda Vetting process to be completed. Providers are strongly advised to submit applications well in advance and allow a minimum of 6 weeks for vetting to be processed before an individual is due to commence work.
Forward planning can help avoid delays in recruitment and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Link to Tusla Guide to Garda Vetting: https://fingalcountychildcare.ie/useful-resources/

18/06/2026

Quality Development Service (QDS)
Better Start Quality Development Service (QDS) provides fully funded mentoring and coaching to Early Learning and Care settings, enhancing quality practice and positive outcomes for children from birth to six years.
Applications for mentoring for QDS are open all year round and can be accessed through the Early Years Hive.
To apply and submit an application:
* Log into your Early Years Hive account.
* Expand the ‘Programmes’ menu and select ‘Better Start Quality Development Service Applications’.
*Select ‘New Application’ from My Active Programme Applications in the Applications tab.
*Select ‘Better Start Quality Development Service Applications’, then ‘New Application’.
You can watch a short video about mentoring supports here:
https://vimeo.com/1129480447?fl=pl&fe=cm&turnstile=1.AXDWpHJVW9c2eoZ1c50enNWlhiLbHQn9s87csGfcbBW3yGMmoL0Rduz8P14GDbSDXm_jHNPo0zAbPi3XlhzVN-R_ZnzDYBb6OsO-gvDIb6k6OqhfOZ4IwnM0CSdNDIkWyA0YdKdUE3ySvTifim7phHxV6bqNp354qe2iUwdm5MgqKayR7bxPwOPCARI971Cltbx0U6-4DLC5eYwLdfJZ5RK_xr8rKtqprZdve8nijAXrrcD2ox7QyISBp613kWZp7f9Vrx9pFnYaHycfe-4D4osleXJ6jGLgYkXTL7eXWSS-_2keoUR5KW2C1m9cK_-za-y4rAzPbeRw2t03myMx7fcS6FA4yPeBa-Vs30P5U8OasQT4UCE-T3u0fp-KboZd2Q4RRWyxu43Bk2szAvyLNQ76xeg69wpPiUYYw9Kf07AloJ0zA8L0tTCaGwjOJrjaRU5VX9SyTaHJV5p3c30wgn2Iq1pvvTYV-8fGdIBhfjdgmsiCItlYcMpFEHMq1oWiR2mBu0fgSJWEtZ2fBB3ZDjRc74PKqXe57wyRPSmYLW9ThcAK_P3jMJw92Tmhqv2H1Jos5doBnWkW7EuvTKTx03_EcxlayytZH36lchCcSn3r03sBv4BWwQGE0IFu-2xGGtQWOWgcmyabFdVWaZUMZXYqLd7msv2CNoGuvkSypTjVgCqgqdTzZkj0o8Xm7DDci08HlQyWzET3ycxOUgfMcAi-wUEmTciEnskb_jR8TsY.FWC_59Jmi1DLxUkYM2olmw.a9f7dcb222e9937598fb373380e78c68e5c7076910348c0afed0269e3bbb2fc4&fbclid=IwY2xjawSg3ERleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOZ0JVT0pkUWN1WUhKTGxxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmpo8ghd99d4v4DZ3h7RjNMujDjhVxq4Rkq8OxBt-rFihFswt30M359nWynG_aem_W1-HLeaoKQVsQu195rC-wQ

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