Critical Incidents in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services
All Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services are required to have a service level Critical Incident Plan as outlined in the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework (QRF) and the National Quality Guidelines for School Age Childcare Services.
The guide below has been developed to support ELC and SAC services to think about and plan for critical incidents and to have practical supports in place should it be necessary to respond to a critical incident.
As well as the practical considerations involved, it is essential that ELC and SAC services think about how they will support the emotional wellbeing of both the children and the adults in the service. The resource below provides information on the kinds of support that will help children to cope better following a critical incident, which will have a positive impact on their wellbeing both now and in their future.
Critical Incidents in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Services: Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Other useful links
Bereavement supports
Barnardos – bereavement service
Young Children Grieve Too: A Guide for Parents and Carers of Children Under 6 Who Have Been Bereaved
Mind the Gap: A Guide for Parents and Carers of Bereaved School Age Children and Young People
Relationships in ELC and SAC
Adult-Child Relationships in School Age Childcare
The Key Person Approach: Positive Relationships with Children in the Early Years
Mindfulness
Mindfulness in Early Learning and Care
Other useful resources
BeSmart – Safety management and Risk Assessment
Helping Children Cope after a Traumatic Event
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) – Critical Incidents
Trauma and Young Children: Building Trauma Awareness in Early Learning and Care