Dear Provider,

On Thursday, 7 December 2023, Minister O’Gorman welcomed the release of two documents to support early learning and childcare services prepare and respond to critical incidents.

The first document linked below is ‘Critical Incidents In Early Learning and Care Services: Planning and Responding’. This document clearly lays out the roles of the DCEDIY, Tusla, the City and County Childcare Committees and services in responding to a critical incident.  More supports will become available in the new year in relation to preparing a service level critical incident plan.

The second publication developed by Barnardos is ‘Critical Incidents In Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Services: Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing’. This resource provides information on the kinds of support that will help children in an Early Learning and Care setting or a School- Age Childcare setting to cope better following a critical incident, which will have a positive impact on their wellbeing both now and in their future.

Please see links to documents below:

Planning and Responding: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13085/1293

Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13085/1294

Regards,

Early Years Division.