clár - contents

Page 1: Early Years Inclusion Seminar 13th of October 2018

Page 2: Chairperson Foreword

Page 4: Tusla Zero2six Family Support Service

Page 5: Aistear Siolta Practice Guide Learning Opportunities

Page 6: Common Sense parenting Courses

Page 7: The Healthy Ireland Smart Start Programme

Page 8: Upcoming Events

MMAAYYOOCounty Childcare Committee

Coiste Chúram LeanaíChontae Mhaigh Eo

nuac

htlitir

ISSUE 52 • Winter2018

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Early Years Inclusion Seminar 13th of October 2018

Mayo County Childcare Committee and the Mayo Early Intervention Service held a very successful seminar in Breaffy House Hotel, on Saturday the 13th of October 2018.

The seminar was entitled ‘Inclusion in the Early Years’. The seminar was chaired by Mayo CCC chairperson Edith Geraghty. The day began with two inspiring presentations, one from a parent of a child who attended

their local Naionra and the second from Bright Beginnings, early years’ servicein Westport. Over 80 early childhood care & education practitioners, supportworkers and parents listened to the presentation and how the Access InclusionModel worked in their experiences. Participants then viewed a film called ‘Resilience – The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope’. This film was presented by Riona Kilcullen and it explained the concept of Adverse ChildhoodExperience (ACES) which has emerged from research conducted in the USA. The ACE Study assesses the effect of adverse childhood experiences as a publichealth problem and shows why prevention matters. Participants then attended

2 workshops for the rest of the morning. These workshops aimed to provide early years workers with a clear understanding of working with children who may appear shy or withdrawn and a workshop on the importanceand value of reading to very young children. The workshops were delivered by Darina Molloy, of Mayo County Council Library services and Edel Tiernan – Speech & Language Therapist

with Tusla. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive regarding the workshops. The organisers from Mayo Early Intervention Service and the Mayo CCC stated “ we are so delighted with how successful today’s event has been. We wish to acknowledge the fact that after a hard week’s work, these workers have given up their Saturday to attend this event. This is yet another example of the commitment and dedication which exists in the early years sector in Mayo. We also wish to acknowledge all the parents and agencies who attended today’s event. “ The event was also one of the events

included in Mayo County Council’s Social Inclusion Awareness Week.

For further information relating to this seminarand inclusion practises in early years learningand care please do not hesitate to contact Mayo CCC (094 904 7010) and / or Mayo Early Intervention Service (094 9060234).

Attendance for the Seminar

View Poster Display

RÁITEAS AN CHATHAOIRLIGHChairperson Foreword

Edith Geraghty, Chairperson - Mayo County

Childcare Committee

Uasdátú cúram Leanaí Inacmhainne

National Childcare Funding Programmes Update

It was good to meet so many of you at our ‘Celebration of Early Years Inclusion’ Seminar

which spoke about the concept of Adverse Childhood Experience and how prevention

matters so much. You are the people that make a difference in our children’s lives,

you allow them to grow and express their interests. Give them positive experiences

and reinforce positive behaviour that allow them to build resilience and grow into

their unique selves. We have entered the seasons of Halloween and Christmas and the

experiences they have with you and under your care will build positive memories for

their whole lives. Society owes you a huge debt of gratitude for every study published

shows that excellent early years care and education means these children will lead

long happy and positive lives. You are building the society of the future; you are

ensuring our children can meet the challenges of life and embrace them. Each one of

you makes a difference and together you are changing the

world, thank you.

Hello all, and welcome to the Autumn 2018 edition of the

Mayo CCC newsletter. Hope this note finds you well.

Here are some updates regarding the main elements of

the national childcare funding programmes. As the local

agent of the Department of Children & Youth Affairs, Mayo

CCC aim to provide early years services in Mayo with as

much support and guidance as possible, to provide positive

outcomes for the children attending early years services.

Please do not hesitate to contact Mayo CCC (or Pobal

where appropriate) for this support and guidance.

Please see below an update for Early Years Services about

the national childcare funding programmes. We hope you

find this information useful.

PIP Portal EnhancementsFurther to the Pobal announcement on the PIP Portal En-

hancements, a PIP Portal User Guide is now

available to view. We encourage you to pay attention to

the ‘Funding’ section of the portal, as a number of changes

have been introduced to provide more visibility of the

financial information related to your active programmes

and payments. An infographic is also available which ex-

plains how Pobal calculates payments for DCYA Childcare

Funding Programmes (ECCE, CCS/P and TEC).

Compliance Announcement 2018/2019 Programme cycle:

Unannounced compliance visits will commence in October

2018 and continue to the end of August 2019.

Note: Services operating ECCE only sessions will not be

visited outside of the ECCE programme cycle.

As previously, the compliance process will involve a series

of standardised on-site checks aimed at ensuring adherence

with certain programme rules and contract conditions

as set out by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs

(DCYA). To ensure compliance with each programme’s

requirements, services must familiarise themselves with

the following:

· Relevant programme Grant Funding Agreements

· Rules for DCYA Childcare Funding Programmes including Appendix 2 “Good Practice Guide - Attendance records”)

· PIP “How to” Guides

· Announcements available on the PIP Portal (and Pobal and DCYA websites).

· Letter from the DCYA for CCS services 2018 regarding the snapshot window.

By Jim Power, Co-ordinator

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New Affordable Childcare

Scheme to open for

applications in October 2019• Existing childcare subsidy schemes to remain in place for 2019/20 programme year, ensuring certainty for families and ‘continuity of care’ for children

• Comprehensive information and training supports to be rolled out from early 2019 offering a supported transition period for families and childcare providers

Tuesday 6th November 2018 Minister for Children and

Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has announced

that the new Affordable Childcare Scheme will open for

applications in mid- October 2019, with payments flowing

from November 2019.

The scheme will offer a single, easy to access system

of financial subsidies towards childcare for families in

Ireland. Through this, it will enhance affordability and

accessibility, and provide a platform for investment in

quality childcare to benefit current and future generations.

“I have been steadfast in my commitment to deliver the

crucial change that families need, and so I am delighted

to be able to announce the timeframe for the introduc-

tion of the new Affordable Childcare Scheme” comment-

ed Minister Zappone.

“We are building the radical new childcare infrastructure

needed to transform childcare in Ireland from one of the

most expensive in the world into one of the very best.

This involves putting in place a legislative framework,

through the Childcare Support Act 2018, and building a

world class IT system to allow parents to access tailored

childcare supports that will meet the needs of each family.

By lowering childcare costs, the Affordable Childcare

Scheme aims to support parents to return to work

and training, to reduce child poverty and to improve

child outcomes.”

From October 2019 everyone will be able to apply for the

new Affordable Childcare Scheme. To ensure a smooth

transition for both parents and providers, the current

childcare subsidy schemes will remain in place for the

2019/20 programme year. People will be able to register

for the current schemes as normal, from August 2019 3

Compliance visits will comprise checks on records held on

site in respect of the following Early Years Programmes i.e.

· Free Pre-school Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme

· Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Programmes

· Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme

· Community Childcare Subvention (Plus) including Universal (CCSP/U) Programme

· Community Childcare Subvention Resettlement/ Transitional (CCSR (T)) Programmes

It is advised that services prepare for an unannounced

compliance visit by collating relevant information for

review e.g. in a Compliance Folder/File which can be made

readily available to the Visit Officer on arrival. This will

ensure minimum disruption and expedite the compliance

visit. It is acknowledged that some services file their

records in alternative ways which is acceptable, but it

should be noted that records must be available to enable

the Pobal Visit Officer to complete the compliance visit

in a reasonable timescale. In this regard we request that

there is always a staff member on site with access to the

Compliance Folder / records in the event of an unannounced

visit. Please only maintain compliance related information

in the Compliance Folder.

Please see the link to the Service Provider Checklist

2018-2019 which is available on the PIP Portal, to assist

services in collating the relevant information to meet

compliance requirements.

Please note that this checklist contains a separate section

for each of the Early Years programmes.

up until the new Affordable Childcare Scheme launches.

After the launch date, people can choose to move over

to the new Scheme or to remain on their old scheme for

the remainder of the programme year. This will provide

certainty for current scheme beneficiaries, offer ample

time to apply for the new scheme and ensure that no

family is worse off during the transition period. Once the

Affordable Childcare Scheme is in place in October 2019,

registrations under the existing schemes will cease.

Comprehensive information, training and supports will

be available to parents, childcare providers and other

stakeholders from early next year in readiness for the

launch of the scheme.

Enhancements to the Affordable Childcare Scheme

announced as part of Budget 2019 will mean that an

even greater number of families will now benefit from

the scheme. The significant increase in the maximum net

income threshold to €60,000 per annum means that an

estimated 7,500 additional children will benefit from the

scheme relative to the original proposals, including some

families with gross income of up to €100,000 per annum.

Over 40,000 other children, already eligible, will see

increases to their subsidies.

Childcare providers, who play an integral role in the

delivery of all of the DCYA childcare schemes, will continue

to receive a Programme Support Payment (PSP) in 2019.

Budget 2019 provided funding of €19.4m for PSP, an

increase of nearly 8%, which will bring the total amount

of PSP paid to childcare providers since 2017 to over

€55m in recognition of the administrative support they

offer in delivering the schemes’ benefits to parents.

Further information relating to the launch of the scheme

will be made available at www.affordablechildcare.ie

over the coming months. Families can also find information

on the website in relation to existing supports to make

childcare more affordable in Ireland.

Zero2six Family Support Service Launched

On Tuesday September 18th 2018 the Zero2six Family Support Service was officially launched by Dr Liam White, PPFS Manager. This Tusla Family Support Service offers a service to parents / carers and guardians of children under the age of 6 years who live in County Mayo. The Zero2six Family Support Service provides a strengths based programme to support families in their homes and communities to improve outcomes for children.

Teresa Quinn, Manager of Zero2six Family Support introduced the team and advised that the service offers support to parents / carers and guardians who are facing challenges which impact on family life, this may include struggling with the day to day parenting of the young child, needing support around setting limits, managing behaviour that may be putting the child or others at risk of harm or indeed the preschool leader may have expressed a concern about the child’s behaviour.The service uses the Mol an Óige framework and drawing from resources used by the PHN’s, booklets developed by Tusla, the HSE, and our own research, we work in partnership with our families to develop plans to support them reaching their goals”.

How to access the Zero2six Family Support?Parents / carers or guardians of the children or professionalscan refer to Zero2six Family Support.Referral forms are available from the Zero2six Family Support Service office in Mill Lane, Bridge Street, Castlebar Co Mayo F23WP58; by phoning 094 9042510 or emailing: Louise.beckett@tusla.ieAll referrals to Zero2six Family Support must be on the In Home Family Support referral form and must be signed by the parent or guardian of the child.

(Left to right: Liam White PPFS Manager, Teresa Quinn, Anne Marie Tiernan, Michelle McLoughlin, Mary O’Hara Gavin)

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We hope you have found this brief article useful and interesting.

To find lots more examples and ideas for practice please use the Aistear Siolta Practice Guide by simply logging into www.ncca.ie/en/early-childhood/aistear-siolta-practice-guide

Hope this helps. We will be printing more examples of practice

in the Winter 2018 edition of the Mayo CCC newsletter.Jim Power

Co-ordinator

Conclusion

Hello Everyone. I hope this note finds you well. Over the last number of editions of the newsletter we have pro-vided a brief overview of the Aistear Siolta Practice Guide. In the Spring 2017 edition of the Newsletter we concluded our series of articles. However, we did say that in future editions we would provide examples and ideas for practice taken from the Aistear Siolta Practice Guide. These examples and ideas will be in the form of Learning Opportunities. The learning experience will be an example or an idea for practice under one of the 6 pillars of practice. We hope you find these useful too.

In our Summer 2018 edition we showed a learning experience example of how one service supports one of the learning goals in Aistear’s theme of Identity & Belonging.In this edition we show an example of the learning opportunities in Aistear’s theme of Exploring & Thinking. This example and further examples of learning opportu-nities can be found on the NCCA website at www.ncca.ie/en/early-childhood/aistear-siolta-practice-guide. This learning experience is an example of how one service supports one of the learning goals in Aistear’s theme of Exploring and Thinking.

“As winter arrived we spoke to the children about feedingthe birds. We asked them if they ever feed the birds. Leanne said, I feed the robin. We explained how birds find it hard to dig for worms in the cold weather. We asked the children what the birds could eat instead of worms during the winter. Katie suggested seeds while Holly said nuts. So, we decided to make some pine cone feeders for the birds. The following day we supplied the children with pine cones, peanut butter and seeds. They spread some peanut butter on the pine cones and then rolled them in the birdseed which was a very sticky activity!

Completed referral forms are considered at the monthly Service Allocation Meeting (SAM) and the family and the referrer are notified of the outcome.

Teresa noted that since the development of the dedicatedfamily support service in Mayo for the under 6 years in2015 that they have supported 79 families from all cornersof County Mayo. Their referrals have come from PHN’S,

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Aistear Siolta Practice Guide Learning Opportunities

We hung the feeders outside the playschool window and kept watch for when the birds came for food. Our perseverance paid off as after only three days we spotted a bird eating from the pine cones. Breda ran quickly for the camera and captured a beautiful bird enjoying the seeds! As the children didn’t know what kind of bird it was we went on the internet to look it up anddiscovered it was a blue-tit! The blue-tits visit us regularly and when the snow came in March, we took a picture of one of the blue tit’s little footprints in the snow-covered playground. The children were fascinated with the size of the tiny footprint and compared it to the size of their big footprints. The children are very familiar now with this lovely bird and we have the blue-tit as the screensaveron the laptop in the playschool. During the spring we watched the blue-tit ‘nest watch’ on the internet and waited every day for the babies to be born. There was such excitement when the little heads appeared.”

Ideas to extend the children’s learning 1. Plan some small group activities around making models of birds, for example, a Paper Mache activity to make robins or blue-tits or provide some materials to make nests – twigs, straw, leaves, wool.2. Take the binoculars, the camera and some note-books and pencils outside and see what other wildlife is in the local area.3 Arrange for a local expert on nature to come to talk to the children, for example, a beekeeper or someone from Coillte.

Preschools, Parents, Social Work as well as SALT and Psychology. The service requests feedback from all of the families they work with in order to evolve and shape the service. Some of the feedback they have received to date include: your help has made a big difference in our lives; I learned about the different types of play, thank you; when I explain to my child about their day they are much calmer”.

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Common Sense Parenting (C.S.P.) is a skill-based

programme where parents develop practical and effective

ways to:

• Encourage your children’s positive behaviour• Discourage negative behaviour• Teach your children positive alternative behaviour

By participating in a C.S.P. programme, parents learn

skills which help make parenting more enjoyable and re-

warding, and children learn positive ways to communi-

cate with parents.

These skills include:

• Using effective praise for encouraging positive behaviour• Developing techniques for using effective discipline• Using consequences to change behaviour• Preventing problems• Correcting problem behaviour

• Teaching your children social skills that are beneficial for themselves and others

C.S.P. is evidence-based (NUI Galway Evaluation) and

proven to measurably improve the well-being of children

and their parents.

C.S.P. for the 6-16 years age group is delivered by

practitioners from the Child & Family Agency (Tusla),

Foróige and

partners in the community.

How long? 6-week course – 2 hours/week

Cost? There is a once off cost of €20 to cover cost of book

and photocopying

• Parents need good social networks (Parenting24seven) Parenting is easier when you can talk with other parents. “Reassurance that I’m doing a good job.” “My confidence in knowing how to handle situations has improved immensely.” “It gives a lot more ideas about dealing with things at home.” “Each week something has changed”.

• Name it and tame it (Parenting24seven) Parents who are able to solve problems without anxiety are able to provide an ‘optimal parental environment’. “It showed me how to stay calm.” “The skills I developed have made a difference to the way I explain things to the children.”

• A positive parenting style works (Parenting24seven) Positive parenting practices create positive outcomes for children and young people. “There have been big changes - the children play together more now which makes things easier for me.”

“Now I take more time to enjoy my children.”

If you are interested in attending a C.S.P. course, or to invite a C.S.P. course to your school, community centre or parish, please e-mail or post your contact details to:

Martina O’Kane, Family Focus Mayo, Child & Family Agen-

cy, 90 Knockaphunta Park, Westport Rd., Castlebar, Co.

Mayo, e-mail Martina.OKane@tusla.ie

Name:

Address:

Contact phone number:

E-mail:

Course Location Preference:

For further information contact:Mary Everard

T: 087-2601283

E: mary.everard@tusla.ie

Louise O’Malley

T: 086-0436782 /

E: louise.omalley@foroige.ie

Common Sense Parenting Courses

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Promoting Pre-school setting; Providing Physical Activi-

ties; Nutrition and Healthy Eating; Oral Health; Promot-

ing Children’s Emotional Well-being /Literacy; Health and

Safety; Preparing for Validation to achieve the Healthy

Ireland Award. All aspects of the programme support

services to achieve many of the Síolta standards and

meet the acquirements of Aistear.

Valuable resources, funded by the HSE, to inform all

aspects of the programme will be available for participating

services to use with children, parents/families. To assist

participating services promote children’s emotional

health and well-being, each service will receive three

sets of the Trace Moroney feelings books which will be

shared with all families throughout the pre-school year.

These will be accompanied by a music CD and other

supportive resources.

The programme is open to all pre-school providers;

private or community, sessional or full day care, regardless

of size or location. Registered childminders are also welcome

to participate in the training. . Programme costs €40 per

Service which allows 2 members of staff to attend.

A big congratulations and well done to the following

Healthy Ireland Validated Pre-schools Ballyhaunis Com-

munity Playschool, Bernie’s Crèche, Carracastle Commu-

nity Childcare, Claremount Crèche & Montessori, Coillte

Childcare, First Steps Créche, Glor na Nóg, Guardian An-

gel Montessori, Home from Home, Mount Carmel Academy

Montessori School, Naíonra Céimeanna Beaga, Outdoor

Explorers Pre-school, Robeen Rascals, Smarties Montes-

sori School, The Growing Tree, The Little Way Montessori,

The Mulberry Tree Learning Centre and Woodland Park

Preschool.

For further information please contact NCN on 047 72469 or visit our website www.ncn.ie

The Healthy Ireland Smart Start

Programme

Participants who took part in the HISS programme earlier this year. Left to Right: Country Montessori Pre-school - Mary Sheedy, Joanna’s Pre-school and Afterschool - Joanna Sheridan & Edel Langton and

Ballyglass Community Childcare Service - Dearbhla Rice.

Tigh Na Leanai was a category winner for Disability Access In the JCI Friendly Business Award 2018. The service was nominated for this category for their exceptional work around inclusion and diversity in the Early Years Sector. The service goes above and beyond for families and children with additional needs working closely with agencies for support . They have recently completed a new building for playschool that was inspired from Marita`s attending the LINC course. The building is fully wheelchair accessible and disability access was a key focus during the planning and building stages.

Marita says “ We are delighted to be considered for such a wonderful award. Inclusion and diversity is huge part of our ethos here at Tigh Na Leanai. It is wonderful to be recognised for all of the work we do.

Tigh Na LeanaiWinner in the JCI Friendly Business Awards 2018

Marita receiving her award

21st November Mayo Child - and Family Support Network Conference in Great National Hotel, Ballina.

Further details from Elaine English. Elaine.English@hse.ie

Quality Regulatory Framework briefings 2018Throughout November and December, the Early Years

Inspectorate will deliver a series of briefing sessions on

the recently published Quality and Regulatory Framework

(QRF). These sessions will also provide an update on the

process for the re-registration of early years services in

2019, and a summary of the Inspectorate’s annual report,

which will be published shortly.

Spaces at the venues are limited, so it is advisable to

book early. Tickets will be allocated on a first come/first

serve basis.

Mayo County Childcare Committee,First Floor, Chambers House, Ellison St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.Tel: 094 9064392 • Email: mayochildcare@mayococo.ie • Website: www.mayochildcare.ieJim Power, Co-ordinator Email: jpower@mayococo.ieMary Conway, Administrator Email: maryconway@mayococo.ieAngela Cope, Development Worker Email: acope@mayococo.ieOlivia Donohoe,Development Worker Email: odonohoe@mayococo.ieMichelle Basquille,Development Worker Email: mbasquil@mayococo.ieLouise Ward,Clerical Officer Email: lward@mayococo.ie

DisclaimerEvery effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate and up to date. No responsi-bility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of

material in this publication can be accepted by Mayo County Childcare Committee and/or their respective servants or agents.If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please contact us using the contact details provided above

Check out our website

www.mayochildcare.iefor a complete list of training events organised by MCCC and other organisations

and for a list of childcare services in the county

MMAAYYOOCounty Childcare Committee

Coiste Chúram LeanaíChontae Mhaigh Eo

Cá bhfuil muid - WHERE TO FIND US

Upcoming Events

Locations include:

15th November 2018

The Ardilaun Hotel, Tailors Hill, Galway

26th November 2018

The Hodson Bay Hotel, Roscommon Road, Athlone

6th December 2018

The Clayton Hotel Sligo, Clarion Road, Ballinode, Sligo

Places for the event are reserved through Eventbrite. For

more information on venues and dates and to book your

place, please use the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/early-years-inspec-

torate-quality-and-regulatory-framework-brief-

ings-2018-tickets-52091056753

Also please note TUSLA intend to make a video version

of the briefing presentation available on their website

for those unable to attend.

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