Wicklow County Childcare

23/02/2026

Exploring and Understanding the Updated Aistear webinar

The National Síolta Aistear Initiative, in partnership with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and early years educators working in practice are hosting a national webinar series called: Exploring and Understanding the Updated Aistear: A National Webinar Series.

The first webinar of the series will be held online on Tuesday, February 24th from 7 - 8 30pm. It is open to all early years educators working with babies, toddlers and young children. This webinar focuses on Bringing Aistear’s image of the baby, toddler and young child to life in practice. Attendees will learn more about the updated Aistear and the supports available. There will be a detailed input from an early years educator working in practice on her experience of reflecting on the image of babies, toddlers and young children right across her full day care setting an the impact it has had on practice and the experiences of children and their families.

Please register your interest in this webinar via link below.

https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/webinar-1-bringing-aistears-image-of-the-baby-toddler-and-young-child-to-life-in-practice/

23/02/2026

Attention Parents in Wicklow

Register here or scan QR code below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982774158884?aff=oddtdtcreator

23/02/2026

Link to Guidelines & Application Form: https://wccc.ie/childminding-development-grant-2/

23/02/2026

There are currently a limited number of places available on upcoming training for April 2026.

https://www.betterstart.ie/training-events/lamh-module-one-places-now-available-for-april-2026/

This course is for staff members and professionals who have started to work in an environment where Lámh is used and covers 100 Lámh signs and how to support a Lámh user.

The training is delivered in a blended approach combining Moodle (approx. 3hours) and a practical signing session online (approx. 3.5hours).

The e-learning material on Moodle must be completed before coming to the signing session.

Sessions available for Lámh Module One – Practical Signing Session – Online Webinar:

Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 09.30 Saturday 11 April 2026 Online Webinar
Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 17.30 Wednesday 15 April 2026 Online Webinar
Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 18.30 Thursday 16 April 2026 Online Webinar
Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 17.30 Thursday 16 April 2026 Online Webinar
Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 09.30 Saturday 18 April 2026 Online Webinar
Lamh Module One - Practical Signing Session 09.30 Saturday 25 April 2026 Online Webinar

If you are registered to access the Gateway, you will see the courses in the Course Catalog. If you have yet to register, the link is available on the HIVE Service Provider Portal on HIVE.

23/02/2026

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲)

The Government has launched the National Conversation on the Future of Education to shape long-term priorities for Ireland’s education system.

This is about:

• What is working well
• What needs improvement
• What should be prioritised
• How education should respond to social, technological and demographic change
• What kind of education system Ireland should build for the future

Parents’ perspectives are central to this process.

NPC will gather parents’ views and present them as part of our submission to the Department of Education — ensuring your experiences are clearly and strongly reflected.

🗓 Monday 23rd
🕙 10am
🕖 7pm
💻 Online session

Register here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=4HcczmaGBkii7dA6Y4qM6rI4A0yJZ2VAsDt25jpihPRUQlpBNDlQWkUwUUdDU0QxSUVVTEpSR1hWQS4u

Policy change takes time — but the priorities identified now will shape planning for years to come.

Add your voice.

23/02/2026

23/02/2026

19/02/2026

Since 2022, this groundbreaking programme has been the first in Ireland to employ Traveller and Roma development workers to support children in both primary and post primary schools across ten regions.

These dedicated workers have delivered one to one support, run lunchtime and afterschool clubs, hosted cultural workshops, and led arts projects showcased in the community.

They’ve also organised visits to further and higher education campuses-opening doors and expanding horizons for Traveller and Roma young people.

Read the full press release here; https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-welcomes-positive-findings-of-report-into-the-education-community-development-worker-scheme-for-traveller-and-roma-children/

19/02/2026

More families than ever are accessing quality and affordable early learning and childcare through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Don’t miss out – visit www.ncs.gov.ie today to find out how much you might be eligible for!

19/02/2026

***Attention Early Years Educators***

Please see information below regarding the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2026. Applications are expected to open Mid-March

13/02/2026

‼️New Enforcement Powers‼️

Following recent amendments to the Child Care Act 1991, as amended (the Act), the Early Years Inspectorate has been given additional powers for enforcement, and where risk of harm to children is identified in an early years service.

The following powers were enacted on the 1st January 2026. The Inspectorate is planning on implementing these additional powers from the 30th March 2026 but reserves the right to use all lawful powers available to it where deemed necessary in the interests of the health, safety and welfare of children.

More Information and links see: https://wccc.ie/early-years-inspectorates-new-enforcement-powers/

13/02/2026

Child voice is one of the principles underpinning the work of NCCA. ‘The Children’s Guide to the Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum’ responds to instinctive and authentic questions posed by children, ensuring their voices are heard. The guide, and the accompanying report, are now available to all children in Ireland, their families and their schools.

The children’s guide can be found at https://curriculumonline.pulse.ly/1qofxkkyrw while the report 'Gathering and Responding to Children’s Questions on the Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum' is available at https://ncca.pulse.ly/5hzqpoiovl