Parent Statement for Partner Services (Core Funding )

Parent Statement for Partner Services

1. Welcome to our Partner Service

Little Buddies Community Playgroup LTD, Chapel Gardens, Riverstown, Co Sligo, is a Partner Service, working together with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Parents to deliver high Quality, affordable, Inclusive Early Learning and Care and School Age childcare services for Children. As part of that Partnership, this statement outlines some of the important things you can expect from us, Partner service.

3.1

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1. Facilities that were in existence in September 2021

As a partner service, we are committed to operating the fee freeze for the Programme year 2022/20223. This means that we will not charge our parents more for the same service than what we were charging in September 2021.

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1. Facilities that have been established since September 2021

As a partner service, we are committed to operating the ‘fee freeze’ for the programme year 2022/2023. This means that we will not increase our fees during this year.

1. Donations – We will not request or accept any donations, voluntary or otherwise from parents/guardians, in respect of the ELC/SAC services being provided.

2. Deposits – We will not charge any non – refundable deposits to parents/guardians in respect of their ELC/SAC service where the parent/guardian takes up the service for which the deposit was paid.

3. In order that you can understand what this fee freeze means for you, we have outlined our fees and associated fees policy below.

This fees policy will be published widely

1. The fee policy we are going to implement for 2022/2023 is the same as the fee policy that we had in place on September 30th, 2021.

3.5.1 Our fees policy applicable on September 30th, 2021, was as follows:

ECCE Contract only fee policy

Here at Little Buddies, we offer the ECCE programme to all eligible children. ECCE is free to all eligible children.

Additional information about the ECCE Programme Rule are available here

https://eee.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/

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SECTION B- FEES EXTRAS: DEPOSIT/DISCOUNT/OPTIONAL EXTRAS/ADDITIONAL SERVICES

TYPE

DESCRIPTION

ADDITIONAL DETAILS/CONDITIONS

DEPOSITS

Little Buddies does not require a deposit

DISCOUNTS

Little Buddies does not offer any discounts

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

€10 to €20 cost for preschool graduation/Christmas photographs and/or outing preschool SAC tour

Parents will be provided with advanced notice and the service will remain operational for children that do not wish to partake

SECTION C – OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Fee Payment information and guidelines as per Little Buddies fee payment policy

• Fees are to be paid weekly by Bank transfer or standing order only, please ensure your name appears on the bank statements to facilitate record keeping.

• Fees must be paid in advance (either at the end of the previous week or on the first day of the forthcoming week).

• Fee statements are distributed via email each month.

• There are extra costs for extracurricular activities such as trips or photos etc., details of which are provided for in advance.

• Regrettably, your child’s place cannot be kept if you decide to remove your child from the service for a short-term period, this is mainly due to ensuring the long-term viability of the service.

• Fees will apply for all annual Bank holidays/Public holidays. To sustain our school age childcare service Fees are payable over the academic year including midterm breaks.

• Full time school age childcare is available during midterm breaks, advance notice is required to avail of this service.

• In the event of the closure of the service in exceptional circumstances that is beyond the control of management i.e., weather conditions, fees will not be charged.

• Two weeks’ notice, or fees in lieu of notice is required at the end of your child’s time with us.

• Late collection will incur a fine of €10.00 up to the first 15mins you are late and a further €10.00 for each subsequent 15 minutes thereafter. This facilitates us to pay the childcare practitioner to be paid for caring for your child outside of their normal working hours. 

• Failure to pay your fees will result in losing your child’s place and the child will not be allowed to return to any of our services until the arrears are cleared.

4. Quality Measures

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As a Partner Service, Little Buddies is committed to delivering quality for children and families. There are a number of ways we can show you this.

ROOM/SESSION

QUALIFICATION

Sunflower Room (Wobblers/Toddlers)

2 QQI level 6, 1 QQI level 5

Bluebell Room ECCE 1 and Day-care

1 QQI Level 8, 1 QQI Level 6, 1QQI Level 5

Blossom Room ECCE 2

1 QQI Level 6, 1 QQI Level 5

Blossom Room SAC

1 QQI Level 8, 1QQI Level 6, 1 QQI Level 5

Poppy Room SAC Breakfast Club

1 QQI Level 6

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At Little Buddies we are working to implement our quality action plan and we will report on its progress at the end of the year

1. About us

Here are some of the basic things to know about us:

A typical week for us is 08:00am to 6pm Monday to Friday 49 weeks of the year.

At Little Buddies we Offer the following services to children and their families:

a) Sessional preschool under the ECCE (Free Pre-school)

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Full day Care/part time care for Early Learning and care (ELC)

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Term time School Age Childcare

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Out of Term time School Age Childcare

2. Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE), Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) and National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

This Partner Service is in contract to deliver the:

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National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

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Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme

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Community Childcare Subvention scheme plus (CCSP)

Early Childhood care and education programme (ECCE):

ECCE provides for 15 hours per week of preschool provision over 38 weeks per year before children start primary school at no charge to parents.

Little Buddies will support you in registering your child for the ECCE programme in our service if your child meets the eligibility criteria. Further information about ECCE is available here –

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/

Access and Inclusion Model (AIM):

The Goal of Aim is to create a more inclusive environment in preschools, so all children, regardless of ability, can benefit from quality early learning and care. The model achieves this by providing universal supports to preschool settings, and targeted supports, which focus on the needs of the individual child, without requiring a diagnosis of disability.

Further information about AIM is available here – https://aim.gov.ie

National childcare scheme NCS

NCS provides subsidies to parents to offset the cost of ELC and SAC. There are three types of NCS Subsidies which are available for children up to the age of 15.

This service welcomes children who are entitled to any category of NCS subsidy. Further information about the NCS is available here – https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/ or contact the NCS Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Little Buddies will support you in applying for support under the NCS for your family.

3. Fees Policies

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As a partner Service, we operate a Fees Policy that is transparent and understandable to all of our parents, the objective of which is to prevent any and all misunderstandings where possible. Please so not hesitate to contact Lisa Scanlon or Aisling Anderson who will provide additional clarification as required.

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