Dublin City Childcare Committee

🌈👶 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

https://www.librariesireland.ie/my-little-library

🎉 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

The application process for AIM Level 1 is now open for existing graduates.

Applications must be submitted via the Early Years Hive. Applicant guidelines can be found here: https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/how-to-guides/better-start-aim/

Prior to submitting the AIM Level 1 application, service providers must ensure that they have completed their ECCE programme readiness steps and activated the ECCE Funding Agreement.

Applications received by 5pm on Thursday 22 October 2026 will be awarded the additional capitation from the Inclusion Co-Ordinator’s employment start date relevant to the 2026/27 programme. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as any applications received after this date will not be backdated.

New graduates (i.e. graduating in October 2026) can apply when final exam results have been notified by Mary Immaculate College (expected September 2026).

Should you have any queries in relation to the AIM Level 1 application process please contact the Early Years Provider Centre by raising a Request on the Hive using the following categories:

Programme: AIM Level 1
Request type: Application
Request type detail: How To

Registrations for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme 2026/2027 are now open on the Early Years Hive.

The ECCE 2026/2027 programme will commence on Monday 24 August 2026.

You can find guidance on how to register a child on ECCE on the ECCE Child Registration page under Resources on the Early Years Hive.

If you are registering a child for ECCE 2026 who was registered in your service for ECCE 2025, please add an additional, separate registration for ECCE 2026 and do not cancel the ECCE 2025 registration.

Important: If you are registering a child who intends to avail of AIM Level 7 support, please select the correct ECCE AM/PM session they will attend. This information determines the AIM Level 7 capitation funding awarded to the service. Selecting the incorrect session may result in funding being allocated incorrectly or delayed.

For info/assistance: [email protected]

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