Dublin City Childcare Committee

26/08/2026

Core Funding August Review and Confirm Window 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

August Review and Confirm

The August Review and Confirm window will close on 31 August 2026.

Partner Services who have submitted their original 2026/2027 Core Funding Application Module on or before 31 August must complete the August Review and Confirm to allow Core Funding payments to commence. If a Partner Service does not complete the Review and Confirm process within the required timeframe, Core Funding payments will be placed on hold until such a time as the process is completed. Failure to complete the Review and Confirm may result in a Core Funding application being declined.

Partner Services can complete Review and Confirm with two options available:

1. Review and Confirm with Changes
2. Review and Confirm without Changes

It is important to note that Partner Services who submit their original 2026/2027 Core Funding Application Module on or before 31 August, will have their Base Rate capped at their approved August Review and Confirm Base Rate value.

Therefore, Partner Services should ensure to review the grant values displayed on the Summary Funding section of the summary page and ensure all information on their application has been recorded correctly, prior to submission of their Review and Confirm. After a Partner Service clicks ‘Submit’, the application will be locked, and no further changes can be made at this time until your application is 'Approved'.

For Partner Services who submit their Core Funding application from 1 September onwards, they will not be required to complete the August Review and Confirm window, and their Base Rate will cap on the approval of their original Core Funding Application Module.

Prior to completing the August Review and Confirm, Partner Services should:

Ensure all data captured in the Service Profile is accurate and up to date for the 2026/2027 programme year.
Complete their Fee Table for Partner Services and Parent Statement for Partner Services 2026/2027.
Ensure your Core Funding Application is at status ‘Approved’. If your application is at ‘Referred back’, you must address the reason for refer back prior to completing the August Review and Confirm process.
If you have an Update Due Date populated on your most recently ‘Approved' 2026/2027 Core Funding application record prior to the date you submit your August Review and Confirm, you must action this as part of your Review and Confirm using the option of ‘Review and Confirm with Changes’ either replacing the departed staff member or reducing your capacity.

If your service requires support, additional resources are available on the Early Years Hive.

Your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) also remain available to assist you in completing your Core Funding application record.

If you require any further assistance or clarification on any of the above, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Service Request.

Regards,

The Early Years Team

26/08/2026

Are you a childminder or parent?

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) is inviting childminders and parents to share their experiences and perspectives on the implementation of the new childminding regulations.
Feedback gathered through these focus groups will help inform the ongoing review of the regulations and shape future developments in the childminding sector.
This is an opportunity to discuss how the regulations are working in practice, the supports available to childminders, any challenges or barriers to registration and compliance, and suggestions for how the system could be improved to better meet the needs of childminders, children and families.

To book your place go to 'Let's talk childminding: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/consultations/lets-talk-childminding/

26/08/2026

Tusla have developed an eLearning module with the purpose of providing information on, and understanding of, the role and responsibilities of members of boards, employers, owners and other personnel with essential governance and oversight obligations.

These personnel are charged with ensuring their organisations create a safeguarding culture that promotes the welfare of children and young people availing of their services.

This eLearning module will take the participant approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Please follow this link to access Children First Training for Members of Boards, Committees, Employers & Owners
https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/organisations/

We also recommend that those personnel listed above also complete the Tusla Children First eLearning programme as an introduction to the key concepts of Children First. Where spaces exist on ELC/SAC Foundation Training in CCC areas, members of boards, employers, owners and other personnel with essential governance and oversight obligations should be invited to attend where possible.
https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/

26/08/2026

25/08/2026

Update on AIM Level 7 Applications and Reviews for 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

The new AIM Level 7 Confirmation form is now available on the Early Years Hive.

As part of the move to the new simplified AIM Level 7 process, submitted AIM Level 7 confirmation forms will remain in a ‘Pending’ status on the Early Years Hive for now.

Statuses will move to their next stage soon, and once a status is 'Confirmed', payments will start.

No further action is required from you at this stage after submitting the Confirmation form.

The review function for 2026/2027 AIM Level 7 confirmation form will not be available on the Early Years Hive until October.

Until then, all review requests should be submitted through the Requests sections of the Early Years Hive.

There are two AIM Level 7 review types

Child Need reviews: relates to the direct needs of the child
Service Need reviews: relates to circumstances affecting the service provider. Service Need reviews can be broken down into four categories, as outlined below.
Additional resource: A service provider may request additional AIM Level 7 funding where the standard shared-support allocation is insufficient to meet the service’s needs.

Stop resource: A service provider may request to decline AIM Level 7 funding where the allocated supports cannot be implemented within the funding provided.

Adjust hours: A service provider may request an increase or decrease in AIM Level 7 funding where the current allocation is higher or lower than the service requires.

Change to use of capitation: A service provider may request to use AIM Level 7 funding to support a Maintenance of Reduced Ratio arrangement instead of employing an AIM Level 7 resource. Where a maintenance of reduced ratio review is approved, the service provider must reduce the room ratio by a minimum of three children. Furthermore, only one maintenance of reduced ratio arrangement and an AIM Level 7 resource can be used simultaneously within the same room.

When submitting a review request through the Early Years Hive, service providers must include a clear rationale explaining the reason for the request. Any changes to the use of the approved use of Level 7 capitation awarded must be agreed in conjunction with a child’s parents /legal guardian/carers.

Examples of child needs and service need review scenarios are available in the Frequently Asked Questions Guide available here.

Important information

Where a child has been awarded a support level and has an active ECCE and NCS registration, supports will be awarded automatically following the submission of the AIM Level 7 confirmation form.

If a service provider does not need all supports awarded to a child, they must submit a request on the Early Years Hive to let us know. For example, this may apply where a child has an active NCS claim however does not need support during NCS hours.

Please be aware that submitting a review request is a formal request to reassess the support currently awarded to your service.

As a result of a review, support levels may:

Increase
Decrease
Be amended
Before submitting a review request, please carefully consider whether there is new or updated information that supports the need for reassessment. When submitting a review request, please provide a clear explanation of why the review is needed.

Requests should only be submitted where there is a genuine need for reassessment based on updated or relevant information.

Following submission, please continue to monitor the request via the Early Years Hive for a response.

How to submit a review request

If you wish to submit a review through the Early Years Hive, please select the following categories on the Requests page:

Programme: AIM Level 7
Request Type: Review
Request Type Detail: Standard
Please allow sufficient time for your request to be reviewed and responded to. Please continue to monitor the Early Years Hive over the coming weeks for further updates on the availability of review functionality.

25/08/2026

Overview
Information Session with Suzanne Caldwell from Better Start about Access and Inclusion Model

AIM Information Session for ELC Providers

AIM Information Session for ELC Providers
Dublin City Childcare Committee's information session is designed to give providers information and support on the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) application process.

This session will address the supports available under the AIM and provide information on how to apply for AIM Supports. Topics include:

• What is AIM?

• The universal and targeted supports available under AIM

• How to apply for AIM supports – HIVE Tutorial

• Frequently asked questions about AIM

• Helpful Resources

Booking Criteria:
• Booking is on a first come, first served basis

• This information session is for ELC Providers in the Dublin City Childcare Committee's catchment area.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/better-start-aim-information-session-for-elc-providers-tickets-1997450673735?aff=oddtdtcreator

25/08/2026

🎉 My Little Library continues in your local library!

Every child aged 4, 5 and 6 can pick up a FREE book bag at your local public library – packed with books, a library card and resources to help them get ready for school.

Just walk in during opening hours. No appointment. No charge. Just brilliant books.



Government of Ireland

Local Government Ireland

Safefood

25/08/2026

Follow the National Action Plan for Childminding (NAPC) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalactionplanforchildminding and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/napchildminding/
Check out our NEW ‘Let’s Talk Childminding’ website for more information: https://www.letstalkchildminding.ie/

24/08/2026

Early Years Hive Snapshot 24 August 2026

24/08/2026

Fee Table and Parent Statement Approvals Process 2026/2027

Dear Service Provider,

Please see the attached announcement from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) in relation to the Fee Table and Parent Statement Approvals Process 2026/2027.

Queries relating to this should be directed to your local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC).

https://earlyyearsportal.ncs.gov.ie/Review-of-Fee-Tables-and-Parent-Statement-for-Core-Funding-Partner-Services.pdf

Regards,

The Early Years Team