Food
Our food is freshly prepared each day in our kitchen by our HAACP qualified staff.
We use 100% Irish meat which is fully traceable. We use local suppliers and have a policy of preparing non-processed food as we believe in providing the highest quality meals every day. Our food is freshly prepared onsite daily in line with the HSE Healthy Eating Guidelines.
Monthly menus are placed outside each room so you can see what your child will be eating each day. If the child has a dislike for any of the meals you are welcome to provide your own meal on that day if you would prefer.
Vegetarian options are available every day and should be requested in advance.
Staff Qualifications
At Askea Community Childcare Centre we strive for the highest standards of care and education for all the children attending our service.
The qualifications our staff have achieved include;
- B.A. Hons Early Childhood Education & Care Level 8
- B.A. Early Childhood Education & Care Level 7
- FETAC Level 6 Supervision in Childcare
- FETAC Level 5 Childcare
- FETAC Level 5 Special Needs Assistant
- Tusla – Always Children First Child Safeguarding Awareness
- Manual Handling
- PHECC First Aid Responder
- Paediatric First Aid
- Cardiac First Response
- Healthy Eating and Nutrition
- HACCP
- Fire Safety
Funding
Affordable childcare is intended to provide childcare for families on lower incomes and also to support parents to return to employment or education.
The National Childcare Scheme, launched in October 2019, provides a pathway to accessible, affordable, quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. Parents can apply for subsidies directly to the Schemes online application system. The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered service.
Community Childcare Subvention Programme: (CCSP)
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme provides access to reduced rate childcare for parents in receipt of social welfare and those in training, education, or low paid employment. A childcare funding subsidy is provided to eligible services with the parent paying the remainder of the childcare fee.
Since January 2017, children aged 0-5 years whose parents are homeless (and those transitioning from homelessness to permanent accommodation) will be offered free childcare for 25 hours a week under the CCS Programme.
Childcare Education and Training Support Programme (CETS):
If you have applied for a vocational training course provided by an Education and Training Board you may qualify for a childcare at reduced rates under the CETS Programme. CETS can provide full-time, part-time or after-school childcare places.
Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE)
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free early childhood care and education for children over 2 years and 8 months and not older than 5 and a half years. Children may enrol before 1st September each year. The programme provides 3 hours per day, 5 days per week over the school year (38 weeks).
Should you have a query on any of these programmes please contact the Services Director.