Canavan Byrne

05/06/2026

🚨 The conversation every Early Years employer dreads...

Can we change an employee's terms and conditions?

The answer may be yes, but how you manage the process matters enormously.

Whether you're facing funding changes, staffing challenges, restructuring, or changes to opening hours, getting it wrong can lead to low morale, grievances, staff turnover, and even legal risks.

In this week's blog, we explore:
✅ What employers should do before making changes
✅ Common mistakes to avoid
✅ How to consult with staff effectively
✅ Why communication, fairness, and empathy matter

Because in Early Years, changing contracts is never just paperwork — it's about people.

Read our latest blog: 'The Conversation Every Early Years Employer Dreads — Changing Staff Terms & Conditions: What You Should (and Shouldn't) Do' here: https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/news/show/the-conversation-every-early-years-employerdreads-changing-staff-terms-conditions-what-you-should-and-shouldnt-do

04/06/2026

🌿🍃 Nature is the perfect playground for little explorers! 🍃🌿

Join us for Creative Nature Play Opportunities for Babies and Toddlers and discover simple, engaging ways to encourage curiosity, creativity, sensory exploration, and early learning through nature-based play. 🌼🐞🌈

Packed with practical ideas that can be used at home, in childcare settings, or anywhere children can connect with the natural world.

📍See full details below
🔗 https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/creative-nature-play-opportunities-for-babies-and-toddlers

04/06/2026

📚✨ Looking to expand your knowledge and gain practical skills?

We've got a fantastic range of upcoming webinars designed to support your professional and personal development.

Take a look at the schedule below and find the session that's right for you! 👇

🔗 https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/

03/06/2026

🚨🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE 🚨🚨

‼️‼️FROM DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN DISABILITY AND EQUALITY‼️‼️

New fee caps to come into effect! Alongside new base rates for Core Funding!

Key Points: Minister Foley Announces Maximum Fee Caps & €480 Million Core Funding (Year 5)

Minister Norma Foley has announced a major expansion of Core Funding for Programme Year 5 (September 2026 – August 2027), with funding increasing from €390 million to over €480 million, representing an increase of approximately 23% (€90 million).

What This Means for Parents

‼️Lower Maximum Childcare Fees

🚨The maximum fee that Core Funding Partner Services can charge is being reduced.
🚨For a typical full-time place (45 hours per week), the highest upfront fee will fall from approximately €198 per week to €183.70 per week after the universal NCS subsidy is applied.

‼️Fee Freeze Continues

* Core Funding services will continue to be subject to fee management conditions.
* Most services will maintain the existing fee freeze.
* Around 12% of services with the highest fees will be required to reduce at least one fee.

What This Means for Providers

‼️Largest Core Funding Allocation to Date

* Core Funding increases from €390 million to €480 million.
* Funding will be distributed through enhanced Base Rates and other Core Funding mechanisms.

‼️ Support for Sustainability

* Additional funding is intended to offset income losses arising from fee caps.
* Government has stated that affordability measures should not undermine provider viability.

‼️ Support for Staff Pay

* Up to €45 million is ring-fenced to support increases in minimum pay rates for Early Years Educators and School-Age Childcare Practitioners.
* Any increases will be linked to outcomes of the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process and future Employment Regulation Orders (EROs).

Participation Levels

* Over 4,640 services (approximately 93% of eligible services) are currently participating in Core Funding, representing the highest participation level since the scheme began.

Strategic Direction

The announcement forms part of the Government’s longer-term commitment to:

* Increase affordability for families.
* Improve pay and retention in the workforce.
* Support sustainability of services.
* Progress towards significantly lower childcare costs over the coming years.

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

Are you interested in developing your parenting skills and supporting positive family relationships?

At Canavan Byrne, we offer a range of parenting courses designed to provide practical tools, guidance, and support for parents and caregivers.

Read our latest blog to learn more about our upcoming parenting courses and how they can benefit you and your family:

https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/news/show/upcoming-parenting-courses-with-canavan-byrne

02/06/2026

Receive a FREE self-paced eLearning course when you book Workplace First Aid (FAR) in June.
Bookings are available on the link below:
https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/workplace-first-aid-far/1554

02/06/2026

Discover how storytelling can enrich everyday learning in the early years. This engaging CPD webinar supports educators working with children aged 3–6 years, to use storytelling as a practical, Aistear-aligned pedagogy.
Bookings are open on the link below:
https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/using-storytelling-to-support-learning-in-the-early-years/1602

27/05/2026

🌙✨Wishing everyone celebrating Eid-ul-Adha a joyful and peaceful time filled with love, happiness, kindness, and togetherness with family and friends 💛

May this special occasion bring peace, blessings, and hope to all.

27/05/2026

Join Ciara Watson for this informative webinar.
Bookings are available from the link below:
https://www.canavanbyrne.ie/training/detail/partnership-with-parents-building-trust-and-tackling-challenges-together/1578