Fingal County Childcare Committee

27/08/2026

Few spaces remaining for 1st September:
booking link :
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/in-person-session-on-programme-of-activities-for-sac-services-tickets-1997018990559?aff=oddtdtcreator

26/08/2026

https://canva.link/q5nfewpwq6skz89

26/08/2026

Hive Announcement 26.08.2026 -
Core Funding August Review and Confirm Window 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

August Review and Confirm

The August Review and Confirm window will close on 31 August 2026.

Partner Services who have submitted their original 2026/2027 Core Funding Application Module on or before 31 August must complete the August Review and Confirm to allow Core Funding payments to commence. If a Partner Service does not complete the Review and Confirm process within the required timeframe, Core Funding payments will be placed on hold until such a time as the process is completed. Failure to complete the Review and Confirm may result in a Core Funding application being declined.

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

1. Review and Confirm with Changes
2. Review and Confirm without Changes

It is important to note that Partner Services who submit their original 2026/2027 Core Funding Application Module on or before 31 August, will have their Base Rate capped at their approved August Review and Confirm Base Rate value.

Therefore, Partner Services should ensure to review the grant values displayed on the Summary Funding section of the summary page and ensure all information on their application has been recorded correctly, prior to submission of their Review and Confirm. After a Partner Service clicks ‘Submit’, the application will be locked, and no further changes can be made at this time until your application is 'Approved'.

For Partner Services who submit their Core Funding application from 1 September onwards, they will not be required to complete the August Review and Confirm window, and their Base Rate will cap on the approval of their original Core Funding Application Module.

Prior to completing the August Review and Confirm, Partner Services should:

Ensure all data captured in the Service Profile is accurate and up to date for the 2026/2027 programme year.
Complete their Fee Table for Partner Services and Parent Statement for Partner Services 2026/2027.
Ensure your Core Funding Application is at status ‘Approved’. If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason for refer back prior to completing the August Review and Confirm process.


If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved' 2026/2027 Core Funding application record prior to the date you submit your August Review and Confirm, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm using the option of ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ either replacing the departed staff member or reducing your capacity.

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

26/08/2026

Are you looking for healthy lunchbox inspiration for the new school term? 🥪🍎
Created by safefood, this free resource is packed with practical tips and healthy lunch ideas to help make packing nutritious, balanced lunches that little bit easier. From simple sandwich alternatives and pasta salads to healthy snacks and drinks, it offers plenty of ideas to add variety to children's lunchboxes while encouraging healthy eating habits.
The resource is available in English, Irish and Polish.
Find the resource here: https://www.safefood.net/healthy-eating/how-to-plan-family-meals/healthy-lunch-ideas?fbclid=IwY2xjawT7sfdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXZQVHlmNkpYczRyTldDQXRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePuberoOII-Th66QsjB7BCm19ws4a5_XqLsP-eprzLrokuHip-EPXoy65PAY_aem_KTOfg_NIVdGnFH5O4Xzs8w

Are you tired of preparing the same old thing for lunch? We hear you! Finding inspiration for school lunch is not always easy. But here are some practical tips and tasty options.

26/08/2026

Follow the National Action Plan for Childminding (NAPC) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalactionplanforchildminding and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/napchildminding/
Check out our NEW ‘Let’s Talk Childminding’ website for more information: https://www.letstalkchildminding.ie/

25/08/2026

Hive Announcement 25.08.2026

Update on AIM Level 7 Applications and Reviews for 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

The new AIM Level 7 Confirmation form is now available on the Early Years Hive.

As part of the move to the new simplified AIM Level 7 process, submitted AIM Level 7 confirmation forms will remain in a ‘Pending’ status on the Early Years Hive for now.

Statuses will move to their next stage soon, and once a status is 'Confirmed', payments will start.

No further action is required from you at this stage after submitting the Confirmation form.

The review function for 2026/2027 AIM Level 7 confirmation form will not be available on the Early Years Hive until October.

Until then, all review requests should be submitted through the Requests sections of the Early Years Hive.

There are two AIM Level 7 review types

Child Need reviews: relates to the direct needs of the child
Service Need reviews: relates to circumstances affecting the service provider. Service Need reviews can be broken down into four categories, as outlined below.

Additional resource: A service provider may request additional AIM Level 7 funding where the standard shared-support allocation is insufficient to meet the service’s needs.

Stop resource: A service provider may request to decline AIM Level 7 funding where the allocated supports cannot be implemented within the funding provided.

Adjust hours: A service provider may request an increase or decrease in AIM Level 7 funding where the current allocation is higher or lower than the service requires.

Change to use of capitation: A service provider may request to use AIM Level 7 funding to support a Maintenance of Reduced Ratio arrangement instead of employing an AIM Level 7 resource. Where a maintenance of reduced ratio review is approved, the service provider must reduce the room ratio by a minimum of three children. Furthermore, only one maintenance of reduced ratio arrangement and an AIM Level 7 resource can be used simultaneously within the same room.

When submitting a review request through the Early Years Hive, service providers must include a clear rationale explaining the reason for the request. Any changes to the use of the approved use of Level 7 capitation awarded must be agreed in conjunction with a child’s parents /legal guardian/carers.

Examples of child needs and service need review scenarios are available in the Frequently Asked Questions Guide available here.

Important information

Where a child has been awarded a support level and has an active ECCE and NCS registration, supports will be awarded automatically following the submission of the AIM Level 7 confirmation form.

If a service provider does not need all supports awarded to a child, they must submit a request on the Early Years Hive to let us know. For example, this may apply where a child has an active NCS claim however does not need support during NCS hours.

Please be aware that submitting a review request is a formal request to reassess the support currently awarded to your service.

As a result of a review, support levels may:

Increase
Decrease
Be amended

Before submitting a review request, please carefully consider whether there is new or updated information that supports the need for reassessment. When submitting a review request, please provide a clear explanation of why the review is needed.

Requests should only be submitted where there is a genuine need for reassessment based on updated or relevant information.

Following submission, please continue to monitor the request via the Early Years Hive for a response.

How to submit a review request

If you wish to submit a review through the Early Years Hive, please select the following categories on the Requests page:

Programme: AIM Level 7
Request Type: Review
Request Type Detail: Standard

Please allow sufficient time for your request to be reviewed and responded to. Please continue to monitor the Early Years Hive over the coming weeks for further updates on the availability of review functionality.



Regards,
The Early Years Team

25/08/2026

What do you say when someone asks you what your curriculum is in your setting?

This resource will help you think about this and develop a clear answer that reflects your unique setting! Check out the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide for more information or check back next Thursday for more resources that will support you to develop this.
https://www.nurturingskills.ie/aistear-siolta/developing-your-curriculum/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6XSJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXZQVHlmNkpYczRyTldDQXRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeZTn-K_dC6-FO0qgCqiN-R_SsDgdIh_HM4p5uo7Ibc66ANPd5EzzjuaZFxGA_aem_o6fQTqXiwJSOSSgkeujdbQ

25/08/2026

How can we support all children to enjoy meaningful play?
Created by AsIAm, Ireland's Autism Charity, this free Play Resource offers practical guidance for parents, educators and professionals on creating inclusive play experiences for autistic children. It explores the benefits of play, offers practical strategies to support participation, and encourages a balanced approach that recognises every child's individual interests, strengths and needs.
Read the resource here:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6537ebfefba7b3c24a18e646/6630d0ca542cf301ab4bac5e_AsIAm%20digital%20play%20resource%20April%202024%20-%20smaller-min.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6W9hwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXZQVHlmNkpYczRyTldDQXRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeq9U1xqV8Ehi-61CyQZD22455t2hzXYgLhxp5W5nhVNDnHOmRVvY61rUeb4Q_aem_iBNAJEb5xDvsbKnpIgNA-g

25/08/2026

In-Person 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
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.

Focus groups are also being held online, to have your say and join a focus group, book your place now: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/consultations/lets-talk-childminding/ -groups

25/08/2026

Communication from the ELC and SAC Division

August 2026

My Little Library 2026

My Little Library has been up and running since May 2026. The book bags for every child finishing pre-school and starting primary school in September are ready for children to collect from their local library. Children can choose from an English or Irish bag. About 10,000 bags have been collected so far.

Thanks so much for supporting this initiative to date. If you still have contact details for the parents of the children starting primary school in September, could you please reach out and give them another reminder of this wonderful initiative.

Please find attached invitations in English and Irish, QR codes to send to parents on Whatsapp and a poster for your service.https://elc-sac-sector-comms.newsweaver.com/icfiles/13/94420/363249/750033/_nw_test_mailing/991be03c8cf69d84714ebcf9/little%20library%20parent%20child%20invite%202026.pdf

The Department would be delighted if you could share My Little Library with Families.


Kind regards,



Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division