Download Parent and Toddler Information Pack

Parent and Toddler groups are a great place for parents (both mothers & fathers) but also grandparents, guardians, childminders and carers to get together and provide a fun filled environment in which their children, usually under 5, can play. A small charge usually arises for participants, which helps pay for the toys, insurance, craft activities and refreshments. You can attend a Parent & Toddler Group with a new born baby, a baby who has just learnt to sit, a toddler and a pre-schooler, or a combination of the above.

It provides children with a great starting point to get used to a populated setting which can make the transition to pre-school easier. Group activities also help children build their social skills as it gives them the opportunity to interact with other children. For parents these groups can be a great source of support. It provides an opportunity to meet with other parents in your locality and share experiences, tips and information.

Groups can organise speakers to address the parents on issues that interest them e.g. nutrition, child development, speech therapy and the value of play or arrange a meeting with the public health nurse etc.

To find a list of Parent and Toddler Groups in Laois please click on https://www.laoischildcare.ie/directory/ and pick Parent and Toddler from the drop down section at the top of the page

2024 Parent and Toddler Grant Application is Now OPEN!

Information on grants available:

Applications for funding under this scheme should only be made by P&T Groups that are organised on a not-for-profit basis and involve the participation of parents/guardians to include recently arrived parents and children from Ukraine and other countries in the community. Grants will normally range from €100 to a total maximum of €1,300. New start up groups may apply for a grant of up to €1, 000; existing P&T Groups can apply for up to €800.

CLOSING DATE IS Friday 19^th April

Funding will be available for:  

• Toys, equipment and books for indoor and outdoor activities, including children’s refreshments.
• Storage for equipment.
• Training for parents, e.g. paediatric first aid, committee skills, parenting courses, facilitated sessions,
• Promotional Leaflets including any required translations.
• Children’s activities, e.g. arts and crafts, music.
• Limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 50% of total funding for existing services.
• Limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new services.
• An amount of up to €300 is available for the establishment of buggy walking groups. It is envisaged that these groups, once established, will involve groups of parents/guardians and children meeting for organised walks on a regular basis (a minimum of 6 walking sessions) in their local community.

Funding will not be available for:

• Groups operating out of private homes.
• One off events such as outings, parties and trips.
• P&T Groups with a closing balance of €3,000 or more in the previous year (except where a P&T Group can provide a signed declaration that the funding available to the P&T group is under €3,000).
• Groups who received funding in previous years and did not return the Progress Report and receipts for items purchased.

Additional Information:

• P&T Groups should have a Bank Account/Credit Union or Post Office Account. The money taken at each session, any grants received by the group or money received from fundraising should be paid into the account. Spending on the group’s behalf should be paid for by cheque/draft or electronic means. All transactions involving the group’s money should be recorded and all receipts kept.
• Applications from P&T Groups will only be accepted from groups known to their local CCC. New groups should arrange to meet a CCC staff representative prior to application deadline.
• Existing P&T Groups must submit evidence of appropriate insurance with their application. New P&T Groups should submit evidence of insurance within the first month of receiving the grant.

How to Apply:

• Parent & Toddler Application form and guidelines are available here 2024 Parent and Toddler Application Form Guidelines for Parent & Toddler Groups 2024
• Please ensure that all sections are completed (Application form, Annual Income & Expenditure Account, Progress Report).
• Simple financial records are important for groups in receipt of grants as they offer protection for all involved. However, newly formed groups do not need to provide a financial record until they are in existence for one year.
• Please ensure the application is signed by 2 committee
• Applicants are required to submit up to date bank statements/credit union or post office statement (reflecting the groups closing balance as at 31^st December 2023) with their application form.
• Forward evidence of insurance with application for existing P & T Groups. For newly formed groups, if insurance is not available, evidence must be submitted within one month of the application being completed.
• Forward evidence of receipts for items purchased with last grant, along with progress report.
• Grant applications will not be recommended if they do not include adequate information, i.e. all sections of the application form must be completed.

• CLOSING DATE IS Friday 19^th April

Grant applications must be sent back to Sinéad at s.brophy@laoischildcare.ie or posted to

Grants for Parent & Toddler Groups,

Laois County Childcare Committee,

6 Lismard Court,

Portlaoise,

Co. Laois