|
ECCE & CCSS
Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS)/Early Childhood Care and Education
Scheme (ECCE)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will services have to operate two bank accounts?
No, the childcare service should operate one bank account for all operational expenses of
the childcare service. CCSS funds and ECCE capitation will be paid into this one bank
account.
Will services be required to submit reports under ECCE and CCSS?
Services will be required to continue to meet normal reporting requirements under
CCSS. As part of CCSS Financial and Impact Returns services will be required to detail
all income received for the service, including CCSS, ECCE, fee income, and any other
income. Under ECCE services will be required to submit a service return to OMCYA on
an annual basis. Services will not be required to submit evidence of expenditure re: ECCE
capitation.
Will the service return for 2010 require us to document CCSS and ECCE places?
Yes, a single return to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
(OMCYA) for both CCSS and ECCE will be required in January 2010. Funding levels for
2010 will be determined by the OMCYA on the basis of the information provided in this
return. Services may also opt to make a return in early October 2009 if they wish,
however, where the service proposes to participate in ECCE as well as the CCSS, there is
no advantage in doing so as funding will be determined on the basis of the mandatory
return in January 2010.
How do we apply to alter target weeks or hours agreed under a National Childcare
Investment Programme (NCIP) grant conditions?
The childcare service should contact Pobal or Cavan County Childcare Committee to
request a ‘target revision’. You will be assigned to a Development Officer who will
review your request and explain possible implications.
Our service has received a NCIP capital grant and wishes to review its operating
weeks – is there any flexibility to alter operating weeks under the NCIP?
Where a NCIP capital grant has been provided on the basis of full-time/part-time places
and a minimum of 46 weeks provision, the service will be expected to comply with
conditions of existing NCIP contract, unless there are exceptional circumstances which
would be considered by Pobal/OMCYA, as per normal target review process. If a service
is contracted for 46/48 weeks and wishes to participate in ECCE they can move to 50
weeks to meet ECCE requirements and can charge parents for the optional extra 1 hour 15
minutes. Where a capital grant has been provided on the basis of sessional service
provision only, if the service is accepted into ECCE its capital contract can switch to 183
days (38 weeks, excluding holidays) and the NCIP will not seek a part-decommital. All
services funded under NCIP should seek prior sanction from Pobal before making any
adjustment to operating hours/weeks. You should do this by requesting Pobal to undertake
a ‘target review’.
If a service is in receipt of CCSS only and wishes to participate in ECCE, are they
obliged to remain open for 46 weeks as per CCSS conditions?
The minimum requirements for services operating CCSS and ECCE are operating hours of
3 hours per session, 38 weeks per year and, generally, for not less than 5 days per week.
Should a service funded under CCSS be under contract to provide more than 38 weeks of
service and wish to reduce its level of service, the service should contact Pobal to request
a ‘target review’. In these cases, reduced grant levels will apply.
How will CCSS top-ups funding work in the context of ECCE?
Based on the service return, OMCYA will calculate the total CCSS funding + ECCE
funding payable. Where this amounts to less than 75% of the service's 2007 (EOCP)
funding level, a top-up payment will be made.
Presentation on the electronic returns by Cavan County Childcare Committee February 2010
|
