Dublin City Childcare Committee

📢 Parents Notify is here!

A new service from the National Council for Special Education to help parents and guardians seeking a Special Class or Special School placement for the 2027/2028 school year.

✅ It's simple, just visit https://www.ncse.ie/ and fill out the online form (takes about 3–5 minutes).

You'll need:
• Your child's PPS Number & date of birth
• Home address & Eircode
• Relevant professional reports (e.g., psychological assessment)
• Student Support Plan (if you have one, but not having it won't delay the review)

After you submit, you'll get a confirmation email with a unique reference number. Your local SENO will then be in touch with the outcome.

📌 Important: Parents Notify is not a school application. You still need to apply directly to schools; so keep an eye on admission notices and enrolment timelines.

Need help? Your local SENO can guide you through it. Find their contact details at https://www.ncse.ie/

Let's make the process a little easier. 💙

🌻🌞ECCE places available in Rathmines!
Contact [email protected] today!

Dear Service Provider,

You and your staff are invited to attend online training on the new co-payment functionality to be incorporated into the NCS claim process, which is due to be available on 31 July 2026. The training is intended to provide you with a detailed overview of the new functionality.

The training will take place on Thursday 23 July 2026 at 10.30am to 11.30am.

As mentioned in programme readiness training, the new functionality will be mandatory for completion for all newly created and edited claim from 31 July 2026.

Click here to register for the training on at 10.30am on Thursday 23 July 2026

The training will cover the following:

Important upcoming dates
The updated NCS claim pathway
An overview of the new co-payment functionality
New validations
New co-payment print outs
Helpful tips
Early Years Hive demonstrations


A recording of the training, a copy of the presentation and the webinar Q&A will be made available on the Early Years Hive on 24 July 2026.

Regards,
The Early Years Team

Skin damage doesn’t just happen on holiday in hot, sunny places. The sun is strong enough to cause damage here in Ireland especially between April and September, even on cloudy days, so remember to be ! 🌞

Understanding your AIM Level 7 outcome notification

The information below explains what your AIM notification means and how to understand the support approved for a child.

This part of the notification tells you which support level has been allocated to a child:



AIM Level 7 – Application Outcome
Dear Service Provider

We are writing to confirm that the AIM Level 4 application in respect of the child [Unique Child ID] has been received and reviewed. As part of this process, consideration was also given to the request for AIM Level 7 support.

Outcome of Application

Support Award Type:

Level 7 – Shared/Individual/Not Approved (as applicable)



This part of the notification gives additional information on what each level of support means. However, only one level will apply to your child as identified in the text box above.



Shared ECCE / Shared NCS:
The child has been approved for shared Level 7 support for ECCE and where applicable NCS. The Level 7 capitation may be shared with up to a maximum of three children who have been approved for shared support within the setting. If the child has a confirmed NCS claim, they may also be eligible for AIM Level 7 support outside of ECCE attendance.

Individual ECCE / Shared NCS:
The child has been approved for individual Level 7 support for ECCE and where applicable shared Level 7 support for NCS. If the child has a confirmed NCS claim, they may also be eligible for AIM Level 7 support outside of ECCE attendance.

Not Approved:
The child has not met the criteria for Level 7 support. As a result, no Level 7 capitation funding will be allocated in respect of any applications submitted.

The service will receive AIM Level 4 educational advice and mentoring from the Early Years Specialist. Please note, the service provider can request a review of this decision if it does not meet the needs of the child or the service. Any request to amend this arrangement must be submitted for review and must receive approval from Pobal before any change can be implemented.



Review Functionality:

There is currently no review functionality available for 2026/2027 applications. Please continue to monitor the Early Years Hive over the coming weeks for further updates.



Resources:

Guidance materials on the support levels awarded, along with common practical examples are available on The Early Years Hive here. Guidance on submitting an AIM Level 4 application can be found here and a Frequently Asked Questions Document is available [/AIM-Level-7-FAQ.pdf]here.



Contact us

If you have any queries regarding the AIM programme, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a request on Hive using the following categories:



Programme: Select the relevant AIM level
Request Type: Application
Request Type Detail: How To

🌈👶 Early Years Hive Snapshot 👶🌈
📅 Week of 13th July 2026

Hold Hands Water Safety Programme Free Educational Visits

Dear Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Provider,

Water Safety Ireland has requested us to inform you that they are currently offering free educational visits to Early Learning and Care Settings and preschools across the country.

As part of these visits, a member of their Education Team will deliver the Hold Hands Water Safety Programme - a fun, interactive and age-appropriate session designed for children aged 3 - 5 years. The programme introduces young children to important water safety messages through engaging stories and activities, helping them to recognise potential dangers around water at home, on farms, at beaches, rivers, lakes, swimming pools and while on holiday. At the heart of the programme is one simple but potentially life-saving message: always hold an adult's hand near water.

Educators who would like to arrange a free visit can do so by completing the booking form below:

Request a Hold Hands Visit: https://watersafety.ie/hold-hands-form/

For more information about the Hold Hands programme, please visit:

www.holdhands.ie

REGISTER TODAY!
Children's Participation in Decision Making in Everyday Spaces
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/childrens-participation-in-decision-making-in-everyday-spaces-tickets-1991568370608?aff=oddtdtcreator

Dublin City Childcare Committee has been trained by Hub na nÓg to provide training on the National Participation Framework and Children's Participation in Decision Making in Everyday Spaces.

Dublin City Childcare Committee
Dublin 7, Dublin
Tuesday, July 21 • 1 PM - 8 PM

AIM OF TRAINING

The aim of this training is for early years educators to demonstrate they can use the Everyday Spaces Checklist to ensure that babies, toddlers and young children are included in decision-making within their everyday work.

TRAINING AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

On completion of the Everyday Spaces Early Years Educators training, participants will be able to:

● Describe the international and national rights, policy and legislative obligations of organisations in Ireland to involve babies, toddlers and young children in decision-making.

● Identify how the Participation Framework can support them to involve babies, toddlers and young children in decision-making in their everyday practice.

● Apply the everyday spaces checklist through using practical approaches to listening to babies, toddlers and young children and involve them in decision-making in everyday settings.

Booking Criteria:
This training is open to all ELC/SAC Educators & Childminders
Educators and Childminders within Dublin City will be prioritised (If this criteria does not apply to you, your booking may be cancelled)
Booking on a first come, first served basis

A Reminder on the Importance of Hydration in Hot Weather


Joana, Better Start’s Lead Dietitian has a reminder for services on keeping children hydrated:

“Hydration is so important for children, and in warmer days we need to pay even more attention to this and make drinks available at all times and remind children to keep drinking. Always offer water and milk they will keep them hydrated and these drinks are kind to their teeth”.

Safefood: Suitable drinks for children | Safefood:
https://www.safefood.net/healthy-eating/children/replacing-sugary-drinks

Joana Caldeira Fernandes da Silva
Lead Dietitian
Email: [email protected]


Tusla’s Key Messages include:

· Indoor Comfort: Maintain sleep rooms at 16--20°C for babies. Use ventilation, blinds, and air conditioning to keep spaces cool.

· Hydration: Frequently offer water, milk, or fluids to prevent heat exhaustion.

· Sun Protection: Require wide-brimmed sun hats and loose, light clothing. Apply sunscreen before sessions and reapply regularly.

· Outdoor Play: Limit strenuous physical activity on very hot days. Encourage playing in shaded areas and utilize cooler parts of the day.



https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/GDE12.70_Keeping_children_safe_and_comfortable_indoors_and_outdoors_in_all_weathers_.pdf

Mark your calendars! 📲

The reporting deadline for the Quality and Inclusive Practice Plan (QIPP) in Dublin, Ireland, is 31 July 2026. All partner services must submit their QIPP reports by this date to ensure they can begin a Quality and Inclusive Practice Plan for subsequent program years.

www.cfcrrs.ie