Here are the important dates, deadlines and announcements for the week 13 – 17 January 2020.
DEADLINES/IMPORTANT DATES:
Tuesday 4 February 2020
- CCSP December returns deadline
Friday 14 February – 2 March 2020
- CCSP Saver management window
Friday 13th March 2020
- FAR Phase 3 closing date for applications
3rd – 20th April 2020
- CCSP saver management window
26th June – 20th July 2020
- CCSP saver management window
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
NCS Bridging Payments
Bridging payments are available to a service in advance of a subsidised closure. The system will recognise that you have a closure coming up and asks:
You have an upcoming closure. Do you want to request a Bridging Payment for dates from XX to XX? (Yes/No)”
The payment is made when the service is closed, and returns are not being submitted. On reopening, the service has to submit ‘fast returns’.
Services that availed of the bridging payment over the Christmas period should be aware that this week’s NCS payment will be an adjusted payment i.e. the bridging payment will be deducted.
This information is available on PIP.
NCS Parent Agreements
Under the Childcare Support Act 2018 (the legislative basis for NCS) and the NCS contract service providers are required to have a written contract/agreement with parents.
When a parent has presented the CHICK and agreed the childcare hours, two copies of the contract should be signed by both childcare provider and parent, each party keeps a copy. Childcare providers should keep their copy on file for compliance.
We have attached the guidelines – which includes a sample agreement to this email. More details can be found on your NCS portal in the compliance section – here.
FAR PHASE 3
Just a gentle reminder that the funding for FAR training is only available until June of this year.
Applications for the subsidy payments were slow and steady during 2019. We understand services wanting to wait until 2020 to get the longest certification period, but we would suggest that you don’t wait too long to access a course. Some childcare providers have yet to take up the training and you don’t want to find them all booked out!
The next application closing date is the 13 March with the payments being made on 27 March. There will be a final application and payment before June. We will update you on those dates next month.
REMINDER OF THE WEEK:
Pobal compliance visits
Don’t forget Pobal are making unannounced compliance visits to services looking at ECCE, CCSP and TEC. We have attached the compliance checklist and categorisations for your convenience. If you have any concerns, queries or just need a bit of support regarding compliance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Unfortunately, we do not have any further information on NCS compliance currently. As soon as we have comprehensive guidance, we will let you know.
If you have any queries or need further information please contact us on 094 96 22540.
