Learner Fund Bursary – 2021

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary – 2021

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) 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 Committees  will process and appraise Learner Fund Graduate Bursary applications.

 

The following rules will apply to the Graduate Bursary:

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

On the DCEDIY 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 DCEDIY which states that the qualification meets the standard for higher capitation.

  1. The award must be placed at level 7/8/9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and was achieved in the academic years 2015-2021.
  2. The bursary amount will be €750.
  3. The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary will not be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
  4. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be that which qualifies the person to work in the Early Learning and Care sector (and is at least level 7 on the NFQ).
  5. Applicants may only apply once and cannot be granted the Learner Fund Graduate bursary for a second time if they have already received it before.
  6. The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
  7. The bursary is only available to experienced practitioners who were working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care service prior to beginning their course.
  8. Applicants must be currently working in a Tusla registered Early Learning & Care Service.
  9. Staff working in standalone School Age Childcare services are not eligible to apply.
  10. Applicants can apply with a full transcript of the completed degree in lieu of a graduating certificate. A full transcript; can be obtained from the educational institution and must show clearly that the learner has been awarded the full degree. Screenshots or downloads from student accounts / portals will cannot be accepted.
  11. Photographic identification must be provided along with any supporting documents.
  12. Late or incomplete applications; will not be accepted.

 

The CCC decision is final: There is no appeals process for the Graduate Bursary application or 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 DCEDIY directly.

 

Timeframe for applications:

16th August Call for applications open by CCCs
1st October All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to your local CCC no later than 5pm on Friday 1st October 2021.
Week of 15th Nov CCCs pay approved applicants

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

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary Rules 2021 for Applicants

Learner Fund Graduate Bursary 2021 Application Form

 

All forms must be fully completed and returned BY EMAIL to [email protected] no later than 5PM on Friday 1st October 2021.

Please make sure that you have received a confirmation email from a member of the KKCCC team so that you know we have received your application.

 

Learner Fund Childminder Bursary – 2021

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) 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 the Learner Fund Childminder Bursary applications.

 

The following rules will apply to the Childminder Bursary:

  1. A DCYA reference number is required. If the applicant 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. The qualification for which the bursary is paid must be on the DCEDIY Early Years Recognised Qualifications list.
  3. The award must be placed at level 5 or Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and achieved in the academic years 2015 to 2021 inclusive.
  4. The bursary amount will be €750.
  5. The qualification must be a full, major award; the bursary will not be paid in respect of partially completed awards.
  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 Childminder Bursary for a second time if they have already received it before. This includes applicants that may have received a Learner Fund grant in another round of Learner Fund in previous years where the applicant may have previously worked in a centre-based setting.
  8. The applicant cannot have received any public funding in support of their completing the award relating to this application.
  9. Applicants must be currently registered with Tusla.
  10. Late or incomplete applications; will not be accepted.

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 DCEDIY directly.

 

Timeframe for applications:

16th August Call for applications open by CCCs
1st October All forms must be fully completed and returned (incl. photographic evidence) by email to your local CCC no later than 5pm on Friday 1st October 2021.
Week of 15th Nov CCCs pay approved applicants

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

Childminder Bursary Rules 2021 for Applicants

Childminder Bursary Application Form 2021

 

All forms must be fully completed and returned BY EMAIL to [email protected] no later than 5PM on Friday 1st October 2021.

Please make sure that you have received a confirmation email from a member of the KKCCC team so that you know we have received your application.