Learner Fund Bursary – 2020

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary – 2020

The Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA) will re-open the Learner Fund Bursary to Early Learning and Care practitioners who are new graduates of a recognised Early Childhood Education and Care degree programme. Kilkenny County Childcare Committee will process and appraise Learner Fund Bursary applications.

 

The following rules apply to the Graduate Bursary:

  1. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be either:

On the DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications list and indicated as meeting the qualification requirements for room leader – higher capitation.

Or

The applicant must hold a letter of eligibility to practice from DCYA which states that the qualification meets the standard for the higher capitation rate.

  1. The award must be placed at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2014 – 2020.
  2. The bursary amount will be €750.
  3. The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary cannot be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
  4. Letters from third level education providers which state that a partially completed award is equivalent to a full award should not be accepted.
  5. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be that which qualifies the person to work in the Early Years sector (and is at least level 7 on the NFQ).
  6. Applicants may only apply once and cannot be granted the Learner Fund bursary for a second time if they have already received it before i.e. the bursary will be paid for one of the following – a level 7 OR a level 8 OR a level 9 qualification.
  7. The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
  8. The bursary is available to experienced practitioners only; applicants must have been working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care Servicerior to beginning their course.
  9. Applicants must be currently working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care Service.
  10. Staff working in standalone School Age Childcare services are not eligible to apply.
  11. Application must be made by the holder of the award and not by any third party on their behalf.

 

The CCC decision is final: There is no appeals process for the Graduate Bursary payment. The decision of the CCC is final for the purposes of the bursary application and process, and no delays to the timely conclusion of the process should occur. If an applicant is not approved and wants clarification on this, they can contact DCYA directly.

 

Application requirements:

  1. Application form to be completed in full and by the deadline specified.
  2. Applicants must be currently working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care service.
  3. Supporting qualifications documentation (including photographic identification) must be provided with the application form.
  4. In lieu of graduating certificates, transcripts from the third level education institution can be accepted.
  5. The transcripts must be in document/hard copy form and endorsed by the institution; screenshots of online student records cannot be accepted.
  6. The transcript can only be accepted if it clearly shows that the full award has been achieved.

 

Timeframe for applications:

14th September Call for applications open by CCCs
23rd October All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to Kilkenny CCC no later than 5PM on Friday 23rd October 2020.
Week of 7th December CCCs pay approved applicants

 

To download the application form and applicant rules please click below:

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary 2020 Application Form

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Rules for Applicants

 

All forms must be fully completed and returned BY POST or BY EMAIL to Kilkenny CCC no later than 5PM on Friday 23rd October 2020.

 

Learner Fund Childminder Bursary 2020

The Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA) will open the Learner Fund Bursary for Childminders who are registered with Tusla and hold a Level 5 or Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) will process and appraise Learner Fund Childminder Bursary applications.

 

The following rules apply to the Childminder Bursary:

  1. This qualification for which the bursary is paid must be on the DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications list.
  2. The award must be placed at level 5 or Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2014 to 2020 inclusive.
  3. The bursary amount will be €750.
  4. The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary cannot be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
  5. Letters from training providers which state that a partially completed award is equivalent to a full award will not be accepted.
  6. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be that which qualifies the person to work in the Early Learning and Care sector.
  7. Applicants may only apply once and cannot be granted the Learner Fund for a second time if they have already received it before.
  8. The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
  9. Applicants must currently be a Tusla registered Childminding Service.
  10. Application must be made by the holder of the award and not by any third party on their behalf.

 

The CCC decision is final: There is no appeals process for the Childminder bursary. The decision of the CCC is final for the purposes of the bursary application and process, and no delays to the timely conclusion of the process should occur. If an applicant is not approved and wants clarification on this, they can contact DCYA directly.

 

Application requirements:

  1. A DCYA reference number is required. If a Childminder does not have a DCYA reference number, they will need to on-board through the Hive system (https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/). This process may take time, so applicants are advised to complete as soon as possible.
  2. Application form to be completed in full and by the deadline specified.
  3. Supporting qualifications documentation, along with photographic evidence, must be provided with the application form.

 

Timeframe for application:

14th September Call for applications open by CCCs
23rd October All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to Kilkenny CCC no later than 5PM on Friday 23rd October 2020.
Week of 7th December CCCs pay approved applicants

 

To download the application form and applicant rules please click below:

Childminder Bursary Application Form 2020

Childminder Bursary Rules for Applicants

 

All forms must be fully completed and returned BY POST or BY EMAIL to Kilkenny CCC no later than 5PM on Friday 23rd October 2020.