Here in Kilkenny County Childcare Committee we regularly update our central database system. This system holds certain information on each childcare service in the county and is helpful in tracking relevant statistics which aid in strategic planning and local need identification at county level. It is also this system that produces our Childcare Provider List which is then circulated to parents and other stakeholders within the sector.
For these reasons it is important that the information contained within our system is up to date and accurate. In order to ensure that this is the case, we request the submission of information by each childcare service in the county annually.  

Below you will find a Childcare Service Profile Form which should be completed and returned to Kilkenny County Childcare Committee by email to juliekkccc@gmail.com on or before Friday 2nd December 2011.

We understand that childcare services have been busy over the last few months, particularly in relation to completion of documentation for the ECCE scheme so we thank you in advance for your co-operation on this matter.

If you have any queries or require any further information contact Julieann on 056-7752865

CC Profile Form – Preschools & Creches

CC Profile Form – Notified & Voluntary Notified Childminders

CC Service Profile Form – Childminders (not notifed)

CC Service Profile Form – Parent & Toddler Groups

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Early Childhood

Tip-sheet for Parents of babies (birth-18 months)

Click on the link above to get ideas on how you can help your baby to learn and develop through play.

Tip-sheet for parents of toddlers (12months-3years)

Click on the link above to get ideas on how you can help your toddler to learn and develop through play.

Tip-sheet for parents of young children (21/2 -6years)

Click on the link above to get ideas on how you can help your young child to learn and develop through play.

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Lá Sugradh – the best Family Fun Day in Kilkenny!

 Lá Sugradh, a free Family Fun/Play day took place last Saturday 2^nd July in Castle park. Organised by Kilkenny County Childcare Committee with partners, Kilkenny Castle, OPW, Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Sports and Recreation Partnership and HSE, the event was a rip roaring success with hundreds of families attending from all over the city and county. The event was hosted to promote outdoor fun and as part of the celebrations to support National Play Day.

 There were lots of activities planned with children and families in mind and these were dotted all around Castle Park.

Animal Magic were back, entertaining everyone with their amazing collection of birds of prey as well as many reptiles, rabbits, hedgehogs and cygnets. It was an opportunity for children to hear amazing stories about rescued animals and the importance of caring for our wild animals as well as our pets.

This year children’s magician Ray Shannon held the crowd in thrall with his fun and magic while at the arts and craft stations children were busy making and doing.

The ever popular Billy Flynn was back again entertaining and informing all about the magic of bugs and butterflies.

At the bike station to promote bike awareness there were lots of free and fun reflective goodies to help children be seen on their bike.

Added to the above there was Tai Chi, African Drumming, traditional games and sports activities and a scavenger hunt. It was a day packed with interest for all ages.

The Citizens Information’s publication ‘Kilkenny Kids’ was also launched on the day and the HSE’s Health Promotion Unit provided lots of information for parents

‘It was absolutely fantastic’  one parent said  ‘ the kids had a ball and it was all free – sure what more could you ask for!

Many thanks to the Army personnel at Stephens Barracks who provided some equipment for the event and a  huge big ‘Thank You’  to the many volunteers who helped to make Lá Sugradh a wonderful day.

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Childcare services currently participating in the ECCE and/or CCS schemes are asked to submit re-entry forms to Kilkenny County Childcare Committee to confirm service details for the Sept 2011 to August 2012 period.
ECCE/CCS Services are also required to submit a Fee Payment Policy for approval to Kilkenny County Childcare Committee.

Any service wishing to apply for the ECCE scheme for the first time must complete an application form and return to Kilkenny County Childcare Committee along with relevant supporting documentation including tax clearance cert, copies of staff qualifications, a copy of their proposed fee payment policy and a completed Electronic Funds Transfer form.

Community services wishing to apply for the CCS scheme for the first time should contact their KKCCC Development Officer on 056-7752865 for further information.

Services wishing to apply for the Childcare Education & Training Support (CETS) scheme for the Sept 2011 to August 2012 period must complete an application form and return to Kilkenny County Childcare Committee. KKCCC would advise all services who fit the scheme criteria, to apply for inclusion on the CETS scheme from September.

Friday 11th March - Deadline for submission of ECCE/CCS re-entry forms to KKCCC

Friday 11th March - Deadline for submission of CETS application forms to KKCCC

Friday 29th April - Deadline for submission of ECCE/CCS Fee Payment Policies to KKCCC

Friday 1st April - Deadline for submission of ECCE new entrant application forms to KKCCC

Copies of all forms can be downloaded below:

To download a copy of the ECCE re-entry form click here

To download a copy of the CCS re-entry form click here

To download a copy of the ECCE new entrant application form click here

To download a copy of the ECCE Only Fee Payment Policy form click here

To download a copy of the ECCE/CCS Combined Fee Payment Policy form click here

To download a copy of the CETS application form click here

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In December 2010 the Childcare Regulations Implementation Group launched the National Quality Standards for Preschool Services. These standards are intended to provide a clear and easy to use tool for Pre-school Inspectors, preschool service providers and parents using pre-school services. The document will support providers to deliver a high quality service and support users in choosing the childcare service best suited to their needs.

To download a copy of the National Standards click here

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National Strategic Plan 2011-2013
Early Childhood Care & Education Programmes

On the 15th December 2010 the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs – Barry Andrews T.D. launched the new National Strategic Plan – Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes 2011 – 2013. 

This plan builds on the previous EOCP and NCIP programmes and will guide all City and County Childcare Committees along with the Voluntary Childcare Organisations in the delivery of early childhood care and education programmes which will support children and families.

The Early Childhood Care and Education Plan contains a number of objectives, which are guided by the principles of Siolta, the National Quality Framework and Aistear the National Curriculum Framework.

Objectives of the Strategic Plan 2011-2013:

1. To develop comprehensive childcare supports, infrastructure and services where the holistic well-being of children and families are fundamental.
2. To enhance quality early childhood education and care and school age provision.
3. To consolidate investment in the sector in order to support the continuing development of a stable, integrated and sustainable infrastructure.
4. Through ongoing professional development, to build on the capacity of the ECCE sector to enhance and develop quality services for children and their families
5. To ensure effective and transparent collaboration, communication and consultation, and optimum use of resources by all stakeholders in early childhood care and education.

To download a copy of the National Strategic Plan click here

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Kilkenny County Childcare Committee have finalised their In-service Training Programme for 2011.  

Our Training Calendar will be circulated to all services by the second week of February.

Full details of 2011 training and booking forms can be accessed by clicking here. 

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As many childcare services are aware by now, any parent wishing to avail of the ECCE or CCS Scheme is required to complete a Parent Declaration Form. It is important that parents know what this form entails and are supported in completing this form as required. This support is especially important for families where English is not the primary spoken language.

The following guide to completing Parent Declaration Forms for the ECCE/CCS Schemes has been produced and is a useful support for childcare services to have available for eligible parents. It has been translated into 14 languages, all of which can be downloaded below.  

This work was funded through the FAS Social Inclusion Fund.

English Guide
Irish Guide
Polish Guide
Arabic Guide
Chinese Guide
Czech Guide
French Guide
Latvian Guide
Lingala Guide
Lithuanian Guide
Portugese Guide
Russian Guide
Swahili Guide
URDU Guide

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