Unannounced compliance visits are commencing on ECCE and the Transitional targeted childcare programmes. Visits will continue for the duration of the programme cycles. Note: Services operating ECCE only sessions will not be visited outside of the ECCE programme cycle.
As previously, the compliance process will involve a series of standardised on-site checks aimed at ensuring adherence with certain programme rules and contract conditions as set out by the Department of Children & Youth Affairs (DCYA). Attendance records will be reviewed as a priority during compliance visits.
To ensure compliance with each programme’s requirements, services must familiarise themselves with the following:
· Relevant programme Funding Agreements
· DCYA Rules for ECCE programme
· Transitional Rules for DCYA Targeted Childcare Programmes (including Attendance record rules and Appendix 2 “Good Practice Guide – Attendance records”)
· PIP “How to” Guides
· Announcements available on the PIP Portal (and Pobal and DCYA websites).
Compliance visits will comprise checks on records held on site in respect of the following Early Years Programmes i.e.
· Free Pre-school Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme
· Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) (Including Universal Subsidy (CCSU))
· Community Childcare Subvention Resettlement (CCSR)
· Community Childcare Subvention Resettlement (Transitional) (CCSR(T))
· Training and Employment Childcare (TEC)
It is advised that services prepare for an unannounced compliance visit by collating relevant information for review e.g. in a Compliance Folder/File which can be made readily available to the Visit Officer on arrival. This will ensure minimum disruption and expedite the compliance visit. It is acknowledged that some services file their records in alternative ways which is acceptable, but it should be noted that records must be available to enable the Visit Officer to complete the compliance visit in a reasonable timescale. In this regard we request that the person in charge on site has access to the Compliance Folder / records in the event of an unannounced visit. Please only maintain compliance related information in the Compliance Folder.
This cycle, a new Compliance Guide for Service Providers is available. This document describes the compliance visit process in relation to the ECCE and Transitional programmes as outlined above and provides guidance and assistance to service providers when preparing for a compliance visit. Please see the relevant link here to the document and also on the PIP homepage and PIP Portal. The Compliance Guide for Service Providers includes as Appendix 1 –the Compliance Checklist for Service Providers for the 2019/2020 cycle, to assist services in collating the relevant information to meet compliance requirements. Please note that this checklist contains a separate section for each of the Early Years programmes. In addition, Appendix 2- Compliance Categorisations, includes the compliance categories assigned for each programme reviewed at a visit i.e. Compliant, Minor non-compliant, Moderate non-compliant and Major non-compliant. Further detail of the possible issues identified under each of the non-compliant categorisations per programme is also included in this Appendix.
Following the commencement of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), to accommodate service providers in meeting PIP registration updating responsibilities, in line with the relevant DCYA programme rules, there are “proposed dates” for CCSP ‘Saver Management’ windows in the 2019/2020 cycle. These were previously included in a PIP announcement dated 30/09/19 “CCSP and TEC closing dates”. Please note the dates for the “Saver Management” windows are subject to change – refer to PIP Announcements for updates.
A further update will be issued in advance of checks commencing on the new National Childcare Scheme (NCS). It is important that all relevant information is maintained from the commencement of registrations under this scheme.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse this site you give consent for cookies to be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. privacy statement and cookie policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.