Annual Early Years Service Profile and Income and Costs Survey 2020/21– DEADLINE EXTENDED: 5pm Friday 18th June

Due to feedback we have received on time pressure on services arising from ongoing programme readiness preparations, we have decided to extend the deadline of submission for this year’s surveys by one week to Friday 18th June 2021.

Your response to this survey in 2021 is more important than ever given the challenges the pandemic has presented for ELC/SAC services. The information you provide will be essential to assess the impact of the pandemic on the sector and to inform future policy development.

Pobal and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey.

A new supplementary Income and Costs Survey is also available on the Early Years Hive.

The survey aims to capture key data on service income and costs. These data were previously captured in 2018 as part of the Independent Review of the Cost of Providing Quality Early Learning and Childcare in Ireland, the report of which was published in 2020. The up-to-date data will feed into cost modelling by the Department. These data are also intended to inform the development of funding in the future and will be used in the design of a new funding model for ELC and SAC.  We understand that this sensitive data and it will be treated in the strictest confidence by Pobal and the Department.

Where on the Hive:

You can access both the Annual Early Years Service Profile and Income and Costs Survey by going to My Account > Surveys on the Hive.

You will also find a guideline document available for both these surveys in the Useful Links section of Hive.

Completing the Surveys:

Surveys should be completed for each facility i.e. one for each DCEDIY reference number (DCYA Reference number).

How long will it take to complete the surveys?

The length of time it takes to complete the survey depends on the size of the service, the number of staff and number of children enrolled. The Annual Early Years Service Profile is expected to take around one hour. The Income and Costs Survey is expected to take 15-20 minutes. The survey will save so you can complete it in more than one sitting before final submission.

Can I complete the service profile through Irish?

Yes. We are delighted to introduce this option for the first time for services operating in Irish.

The Survey on Income and Costs can also be completed in Irish.

When is it due?

The deadline for completing both surveys is 5.00pm on Friday the 18th of June 2021.

Who can we contact for assistance?

If you experience any difficulties accessing or completing either survey, please log a request through the Early Years Hive using the following categories:

• Request type: EY Service Profile
• Request type details: EY Service Profile
• Request Programme: EY Service Profile.