Learner Fund 4 (August 2016)
The Learner Fund 4 has re-opened      
for applications from 2.00pm August 4^th – 6.00pm October 28^th 2016
Following a review of Learner Fund 4, DCYA have amended the criteria to take account of feedback it has received in respect to the on-going training needs of the early year’s sector and the continuing qualification recognition process. 
 The opportunity to submit a Learner Fund 4 application is being provided to a targeted cohort of Learners as follows:

• Early Years staff who received DCYA letters (after LF4 closed on March 10^th 2016) and which confirms that their qualifications do not meet the requirements for the DCYA qualifications list/ ECCE Contractual requirements, are eligible to apply for LF4.
• Early Years services who are expanding ECCE provision (additional room(s)) and as a result need a L6 person/s as a room leader - this round of LF4 is open to more than 1 application per service.
• Early Years staff who hold 5 QQI relevant certified/completed components at Level 5 will now be able to apply for a Level 6 award. To be eligible, it is expected that these applicants will be already known to their respective CCCs and invited to submit an application. If this applies to you, please contact the office to discuss.

 
Applications should be submitted by the employer on behalf of the eligible staff member/s. Please be aware of your responsibilities under Data Protection.  Application forms contain personal data and should not be completed, submitted, downloaded or be shared without the individuals consent
Learner Fund4  re-opened
 

Information evening in WIT on Higher Diplomas in Early Childhood Studies, Care and Education (level 8)
This part-time, evening, postgraduate course is designed to facilitate existing graduates from relevant areas who wish to upskill or convert to early childhood care and education to gain the professional qualification required in Ireland’s contemporary, professionalised, early years sector. The programme is targeted at applicants who are already working in supervised practice.
Information Evening Level 8 WIT
https://www.wit.ie/courses/school/humanities/department_of_applied_arts/hdip-in-early-childhood-studies-care-and-education#tab=description

WIT will host an Open Evening for Interested students on Wednesday 14th Sept from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in WIT.  Interviews will take place on Wednesday 28th September.

Creating a Vibrant Governance and Business Model in the Early Years Care & Education Sector in Waterford.

Presentation, Practical Workshops and discussion to provide delegates with the opportunity to grow their knowledge, skills and understanding of how to develop and maintain a vibrant and sustainable governance and business model in the early years care and education sector in Waterford.
Thursday, 6th October from 9.30am to 4.15pm in the Carriganore Campus, Waterford Institute of Technology.
More details will be posted on our website and facebook shortly.

A Parent's Guide to the National Childcare Funding Programme 2016/2017.
The aim of the guide is to provide parents with information about the national childcare funding programmes.
A Parent's Guide to the National Childcare Funding Programme 2016/2017

The following document is additional supplementary information on the Childcare Funding Programmes. It may be beneficial to include this supplementary page as part of the Parents Guide as it details the various subvention rates.
Supplementary Information

This table of information is taken directly from “DCYA’s CHILDCARE FUNDING PROGRAMMES INFORMATION AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS” updated: 28th July 2016 and would be beneficial to parents as it provides further information on the various funding programmes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
First Aid for Children.

The new Childcare Regulations which came into effect from 30 June will now require childcare providers be trained in first aid for children.
 
The exact wording from the Regulations is listed below:
 
Wording from Regulation 25: First Aid 
 (1) A registered provider shall ensure that a person trained in first aid for children is, at all times, immediately available to the children attending the pre-school service.
(2) A registered provider shall ensure that a suitably equipped first aid box for children— 
(a) is safely stored in an easily accessible and conspicuous position on the premises, and 
(b) is available to the children attending the pre-school service at all times.

First Aid Tulsa Information

First Aid Courses
There are a number of first courses taking place in Waterford by different trainers to include full courses and refresher courses, please see the following for all the details.
First Aid Courses Sept-Dec

Training Calendar Autumn 2016
There will be a number of training courses to include child protection, etc taking place from September to December.
Training Calendar

Child Protection and Welfare:
There are a number of options available to all practitioners in relation to Child Protection and Welfare practice.
This Autumn, there will be 3 options of training available to all practitioners and services are encouraged to spread the training opportunities amongst all staff. Board members from Community services are also encouraged to avail of training and briefing opportunities also.

1. Foundation level- Always Children First Child Protection and Welfare Training- This 6 hour training should be availed of by all practitioners, it is certified and certification lasts for 3 years. 2 places per service per course are available- please contact the office for a training application form. Return the form to confirm the place
2. Meitheal Briefings by TUSLA: Advised for all practitioners to attend. This session is facilitated by TUSLA to brief practitioners on the family supports and Meitheal process provided by TUSLA.
3. Community of Practice: TUSLA Case Management: this community of practice will be attended by TUSLA staff (both from Social Work dept. and also Family Support) and will be a Café style opportunity for practitioners to meet the staff and discuss TUSLA services with them and have Q&A for how referrals are managed by TUSLA. Again it is recommended that as many practitioners attend as possible as all of the information can be brought back to the families who use your service who may benefit from hearing about the services available

WCCC are also available to do individual sessions with providers to introduce the new National Early Years template for Child Protection and Welfare Policy and Procedure- please contact us directly if you are interested in doing this for your service. This template makes it easier and faster to complete the various areas needed to produce your full policy.
If you have any queries on any of the above sessions, please contact Deirdre in WCCC offices on 051 295045.

Important Update on Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for children in ECCE
Check out Waterford Childcare Committee website that includes information for parents and childcare services and includes a list of supports for parents.
http://www.cccw.ie/practitioners/quality-supports/resources/access-inclusion-model-aim-children-ecce/
 
All information relating to the AIM model is available on http://www.preschoolaccess.ie/
 
Leaflets explaining the AIM Model and a poster based on ‘What does inclusion in an early childhood service look like?’  will be distributed to services by post within the next 2 weeks. 
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Guidelines from DCYA have been distributed to the childcare services.  The Irish version will be available soon.  Training on the new Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Guidelines will begin later in 2016/early in 2017.

Your Views As An Early Years Professional: A Short Survey Consultation.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD is inviting all early years professionals to complete a short survey consultation regarding their views as Early Years professionals.   Responses to this survey will be used to set the agenda for the National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector, which will be known as the Early Years Forum.  It will also be used in the consideration of policy and investment options.

Responses are anonymous and are invited from all early years professionals.  This includes professionals working in early years services, service managers and owners, CCCs, advocacy organisations and all others working in the early years sector.

The survey will be available until 12pm on Thursday, 15th September 2016 on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs website (see link below) so that the responses can be analysed in time for the first meeting of the Early Years Forum on the 28th September 2016.  The results will be published on the DCYA website.  
Please click here:  ttp://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=3935&ad=1

Diversity Seminar Celebrating,
Diversity, Equality & Human Rights in Waterford.
his Seminar takes place on Wednesday, 28th September from 9.15 to 1.30.
The Seminar will:
Celebrate diversity in our communities in Waterford.
Share information on the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (IHREC) Act 2014 and what it means for organisations and the public.
Explore the 5 goals of the IHREC Strategy 2016 and what they mean for Waterford.
Full details are in the attached flyer:
Diversity Seminar

Waterford Community & Voluntary Award open for Nominations to members and non members of Waterford PPN
Winners will be announced at a banquet ceremony on November 24^th in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan. Delegates from ALL nominated groups will be invited to attend the ceremony. 
The Award scheme will close at 5pm on WEDNESDAY 5^th October 2016.
Waterford Community & Voluntary Awards
For further information please contact: Muriel Tobin, Waterford Community & Voluntary Awards, Civic Offices, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Tel: 058-21198, email: mtobin@waterfordcouncil.ie 

Seminar for Parents and Professionals caring for children with epilepsy.
Emergency Medication for Epilepsy (Buccal Midazolam)
Demonstration and Information followed by Question and Answer Session
Granville Hotel, Waterford
Wednesday 5^th October from 11am to 12.30pm
Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel
Thursday 20^th October from 6.30pm to 8pm
Seminar is free to attend but places must be reserved by contacting Joan at
 056 7789904/085 8766584 or email jryan@epilepsy.ie

Down Syndrome Ireland have prepared a useful guide to including children with Down Syndrome in Preschool settings. The guide looks at the strengths and needs of a child with Down Syndrome, some ideas on integrating the child into the preschool setting, communicating with home and teaching a child with Down Syndrome.

http://downsyndrome.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Including-Children-Early-Education-1.pdf