Dear Parent, We are writing to you as requested by Tusla the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) as a part of their communication campaign, to advise you that on the 18th February 2019, the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 came into effect. Services that provide after school childcare must now register with Tusla. School-age childcare services have not, to date, been subject to registration, so this is a significant step forward in ensuring quality school-age childcare. Childminders may be exempt from registration depending on the numbers of children they are minding. Childminding Ireland is the National Body for Childminding and are here to support you if you are using a childminding service and have any questions or queries. Our contact details are support@childminding.ie or phone 01 2878 466. What is a School Age Service? A'school age service' means any early years' service, play group, day nursery, childminder, crèche, day-care or other similar service which; 1. Caters for children under the age of 15 years enrolled in a school providing primary or post primary education. 2. Provides a range of activities that are developmental, educational and recreational in manner, which take place outside of school hours, the primary purpose of which is to care for children where their parents are unavailable. 3. The basis for access to which is made publicly known to the parents and guardians of the children. What types of services do not have to register? The following do not have to register, services solely providing activities relating to: a. The arts b. Youth work C. Competitive or recreational sport d. Tuition e. Religious teaching f. Groups exclusively for the purpose of homework assistance, i.e. "Homework Clubs" g. Temporary services i.e. summer camps h. Some childminders may be exempt Board of Directors Mary Walsh, Chairperson; Aedin O'Toole, Board Secretary, Gwyneth Brophy (UK), Treasurer Board Members: Elizabeth Butler, Eamon Kelly, Oksana McNiff, Marian Murray, Angharad Ryan (UK) Charity Status No: CHY11504 | Registered in Dublin Reg No: 283469 An Roinn Leanai agus Gnóthal Oige Department of Children and Youth Affairs pobal overnment supporting communities Services that provide childcare for school-age children only must apply for registration by 18 May 2019 and are encouraged to start this process straightaway. School-age services that are already registered with Tusia as pre-school services must apply for registration by 18 August 2019. New services must apply for registration at least 3 months before opening. The newly established School Age Childcare Team in Tusla is responsible for promoting the quality, safety and appropriate care of the children by assisting in the registration of services within the sector. The School Age Childcare Team has developed a FAQ document which is available to download from the Tusla website, along with further useful information to assist with preparing to register a School Age Service. https://www.tusla.ie/services/family community-support/school-age-services/prepare-to-register-your-school-age-setting-on-line/ School-Age Childcare services that are registered will also be eligible to apply to participate in the forthcoming National Childcare Scheme. What is the National Childcare Scheme? The National Childcare Scheme is a pathway to truly accessible, affordable, quality childcare. From October 2019 it will replace all previous targeted childcare programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly Scheme to help parents meet the cost of quality childcare. Supports are available for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder. For further information relating to the National Childcare Scheme please visit https://ncs.gov.ie/parent Yours sincerely, А. КОХО Bernadette Orbinski Burke Chief Executive
|
