What is NSLF
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has launched a pilot of a new Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF).
The NSLF aims to assist early years educators to pursue early learning and care (ELC) qualifications that have been approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) while continuing to work in the sector.
Chevron College is an Approved Higher Education Institution for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund Scheme for both our L7 and L8 Early Years programmes.
The pilot Nurturing Skills Learner Fund scheme will fund a number of students to undertake QAB-approved Early Learning and Care degree programmes (at levels 7 or 8), with funding provided directly to the educational institutions, lowering the overall cost to those studying while working in the sector.
To minimise the barrier to participation, the pilot fund will meet 80% of the tuition fees and student contribution due by successful applicants, up to a maximum amount of €3,200. The remaining costs can be paid by the student or their employer, though a further 10% (€360) contribution will be refunded to the student six months after completion of each academic year, once they remain working in a ELC/SAC service and subject to the continuation of the NSLF pilot scheme.
Student Eligibility
Those wishing to make an application in May must meet the following eligibility criteria for the NSLF,
• be working with children in a Tusla-registered Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School Age Childcare (SAC) service,
• the service in which the applicant is working in, must have a current signed Core Funding contract with DCEDIY.
• Applicants must have worked within an ELC or SAC service for the six months prior to their application. In 2024 the pilot scheme is only open to those entering an approved ELC degree programme for the first time.
Furthermore, students will need to meet the programme entry requirements; by holding a QQI Level 6 Childhood Care and Education Major Award, Level 6 LINC Special Purpose Award or equivalent.
Funding
The NSLF scheme will make a contribution of up to 90% of course fees over the course of the degree.
Funding will be paid each year to an amount of 80% of the total cost of course fees (after discounting other governmental assistance such as Free Fees, SUSI etc..) to a maximum cap of €3,200 per year. This funding will be paid directly to the educational intuition on behalf of the successful applicants. The remaining 10% (of the overall 90% contribution) will be refunded to the applicants after completion of the course and contingent on the successful applicants remaining working in the sector for 6 months after completing.
Programme Duration
Level 7
2 Academic years
Level 8
3 Academic years
Programme Costs
The student contribution is €720 per academic year, which can be paid through instalments. €360 will be refunded to the student by the fund six months after completion of the programme, subject to continuing in employment within the sector.
Selection Criteria
As the NSLF will run in a pilot phase for 2024, funding will be limited, therefore, in this pilot phase only new students for 2024/25 will be eligible to apply. Also, where the demand for funding is greater than the supply of funding, the selection of successful applicants will be based on the following criteria in the following prioritisation order:
1. The number of graduates in the applicant’s service, with priority for applicants from services with no graduates,
2. Priority index, with priority for applicants from services supporting the most disadvantaged children
3. The role of the applicant in a service, with priority for those in lead educator or manager roles.
If, after the above prioritisation has been applied and not been decisive, random selection will be applied.
Timelines
Applications from prospective students for the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund will open in May 2024, with programmes commencing in September 2024. Please complete the initial Expression of Interest form below.
Based on the very high level of interest that we have received, it is most likely that the demand for funding will far exceed supply, so please register your interest today to avoid disappointment.
What courses are funded?
The NSLF pilot will make a significant contribution to course fees that early years educators face while pursuing QAB-approved ELC qualifications at levels 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
- BA (Ord) Early Childhood Education & Care level 7
- BA (Honours) Early Childhood Education & Care level 8
What happens next?
Simply complete the below expression of interest form and subject to approval, we will contact you in May 2024 to proceed with your enrolment for the September intake.
