Pre-school, Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Response to the arrival of Ukrainian Children and Families

Local Provider; Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School & Busy Bees Nursery is pleased to share the initiatives that the Department are putting in place nationally, with immediate effect for children that have been displaced due to the Ukrainian War.  To help children currently being housed In The Earl of Desmond, Tralee and the wider County Kerry area. Local Childcare services with capacity ,are keen to help Ukrainian families,. A number have already contacted the Department and the Kerry County Childcare Committee to ask how they can help and if they can offer places in their services to these families.  ‘The provision of early learning and childcare will help children to settle into their new communities and help them to recover from the trauma of leaving their homes, and we are very grateful that providers are offering their support.’ The department stated.

Our service’s at Mounthawk Montessori & Busy Bees Nursery , Maureen’s Childcare Centre & Pre-school ,and our colleagues at Alandale House, Tralee, as well as many other local providers, welcome the immediate access to Free Pre-school Places for displaced children.  ‘Families can access the FREE ECCE Pre-school programme immediately, before they receive PPS numbers, which is very welcome’ she said. The standard ECCE age eligibility rules will apply the department has stated.

The department stated that Ukrainian families are being given Temporary Protection Status and PPS numbers to enable them to access State supports, including the ECCE programme and sponsorship arrangements under the NCS.   We understand that it may take some weeks for all Ukrainian families to be issued with a PPSN.  A special meeting of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum next week where we will discuss how the sector can work together to support these families.  Wider supports including access to the National Childcare Scheme for Full day care and After school care will be announced shortly .Finally, there is a call by the Government , for any staff that are Ukrainian to make themselves known through their Early Years’ setting, , as it is hoped that they could help as we develop supports for Ukrainian families arriving to Ireland. Further information on supports and wider sponsorship of childcare places will be provided to the sector next week .  The Irish ‘Céad Mile Fáilte’ will be extended to all children and families entering our Pre-school services and we welcome the opportunity to help . Susan said.