Information for Providers

Response from Minister Frances Fitzgerald to Sunday Independent Article

Click on the link below to read the reply we received from Minister Frances Fitzgerald in response to a recent Sunday Independent article, which suggested that the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme may be abolished.

click here.

Budget implications for ECCE funded schemes

The budget outlined on Tuesday, 6th December outlined cuts to ECCE Scheme, CETS Scheme, and CCS Scheme. To read a guidance document including questions and answers, click here.

Upcoming changes in FETAC qualifications

“You may also be aware that FETAC published common awards standards in Early Childhood Care and Education at Levels 4, 5 and 6 on the NFQ. The Common Award Standard in ECCE at Level 4 is identified by its code of 4M2014 (where M stand for Major); at Level 5 by its code of 5M2009 and at Level 6 by its code of 6M2007.

The old awards in Childcare are being phased out. After December 2012, only programmes of learning that have been validated against the new Common Awards Standards in ECCE will be accredited by FETAC. However, learners have until December 2014 to carry forward existing minor (component) awards as exemptions towards new common major and special purpose awards, where appropriate. Claiming an exemption is a procedure carried out at centre level when a training provider enters a candidate for certification. More information on this process is available on http://www.fetac.ie

From January 2015 only component awards developed in line with the new Common Award Standards in ECCE will be accepted towards the achievement of Major or Special Purpose Awards in ECCE. Learners will not be able to use component (minor) awards made under the old award standards towards these major or special purpose awards after that date.

FETAC have asked education and training providers to migrate to the Common Awards Standards as soon as possible. For ECCE Awards in 2012, the sector should start to see education and training providers offering courses with the identifying codes of 4M2014, 5M2009 OR 6M2007. Any prospective learner should be aware of the currency of courses being offered under the old Award system.”

Update on Higher capitation rate and the ECCE Scheme (7th Dec 2011)

To read an update from the Early Year Education Policy Unit (EYEPU) on eligibility for tha higher capitation rate under the ECCE Scheme, please click here.

ECCE Calendar, Optional Extras & Enrolments for September 2011

Optional extras allowed and those that are not accepted under the ECCE scheme may be viewed, along with information regarding enrolment and the ECCE scheme on the following link: Optional Extras and Enrolments 2011

To read information on exemptions for the ECCE scheme, Pre-school Calendars and Fees Policies, click here.

ECCE New entrants, transfers, deferrals, payments etc.

The Programme guide to the ECCE Scheme is available here, which includes information on everything from applications to the scheme to payments, late entrants, qualifications etc.

Non-ECCE payment weeks
The non-ECCE payment weeks may be used as ECCE days. However providers should be aware that payments may not match the no. of weeks worked per term. As an example: if a 38 week model service opens during Halloween break and works 17 weeks the 1st term - they will be paid for 16 weeks. They may then work 10 weeks in the 2nd term (e.g. close for 2 weeks in February) but will be paid for 11 weeks. The payments match the number of children that a provider has per term. Please note that weekends, bank holidays or public holidays may not be noted as ECCE open days. However, as long as the ECCE open days total 183 days from Sept. - June they are fine.

ECCE scheme and Qualification Update

This message is from the OMCYA regarding childcare services, who, at the beginning of the ECCE scheme, entered the scheme, stating that their Pre-school Leader met the 'interim' qualification terms, that is, they did not hold a Major Award at FETAC Level 5 in Childcare, but met the OMCYA's criteria at the time. Please read more by clicking here.

A pre-school leader is NOT required to upskill to a Level 6 qualification in ECCE by 2012.

Click here to read information regarding qualifications and the ECCE scheme that has been made available from the OMCYA.

Compliance Visits

Services engaging in the CCS, ECCE and CETS scheme will receive compliance visits from representatives from Pobal. For more information on how you can prepare for the compliance visit, what happens during and after it, read more by clicking on the following link: Compliance Visits

Publicity Guidelines for both community providers & private providers (July 2011)

Following clarification from Dept. of Children and Youth Affairs, please note, groups who received/receive NCIP Staffing, CCSS, CCS, CETS and/or ECCE funding (and who did not receive NCIP capital funding), do not need to adhere to any publicity requirements.

However, groups approved NCIP capital funding still need to adhere to the Publicity Guidelines. To download these publicity guidelines, follow the links below:

NCIP Publicity Guidelines Community Based providers

NCIP Publicity Guidelines Private Providers

For further information please contact Roscommon County Childcare Committee on 094 9622540 or e-mail info@roscommonchildcare.ie