05 Mar 2026

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is a government fund to help cover the costs of early years practitioners taking on level 7 and level 8 early childhood care and education qualifications.

The NSLF is organised through Pobal and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE).

The first round of funded course intakes started in 2024, it continued into 2025 and is expected to be launched in March 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The courses covered by the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund Scheme at Portobello Institute include:

The Benefits of Choosing Portobello Institute for NSLF

Portobello Institute has been delivering early childhood care and education qualifications for 45 years.
Gain hands-on experience by completing your work placement in your current role and setting - no need to look for external work placement opportunities.
Enjoy blended online learning with a schedule designed to fit seamlessly around your full-time job.
No stressful exams! Our degrees are entirely assessment-based, so you can focus on learning and succeeding.
Personalised support: Your tutor knows you by name, understands your busy schedule, and is here to help every step of the way.
Portobello Institute is proudly listed among the eligible institutions and courses for the NSLF, with your degree awarded by University of Essex, QAB-approved and DCEDIY recognised.

When Do Applications Open?

Portobello Institute is now accepting applications to study with us in October 2026. Your can choose from either of these courses:

Please remember that your application to Portobello Institute and your NSLF application are two different things. We will support you through this process.

Complete and submit the form at the end of this page to register your interest to study with Portobello Institute and stay up to date with NSLF. Our course advisors will be in touch to support you with your application.

What is the NSLF Application Process and Timeline?

From mid-March 2026, it is expected that applicants wishing to avail of the fund can email Pobal, at NSLF@pobal.ie to request a link to the NSLF Student Portal in order to create an account and upload employment details and complete the new application process.

Applicants who applied for NSLF for the academic year 2025/2026 and were unsuccessful, should make a new application for the academic year 2026/2027 through the NSLF Student Portal.

These applicants should login to their NSLF account, upload employment details and complete the new application process.

Applicants will be required to complete a number of pre-requisite tasks prior to completing the application process.

Applicants who have previously applied to Portobello Institute should follow the same pattern, logging into your existing account with Portobello Institute to reapply. If you need support with this process we are here to help. Contact us by filling in the form on this page.

Rules and conditions for Academic Year 2026/2027

Eligibility for NSLF 2026

Those wishing to make an application for NSLF in 2026 must meet the following eligibility criteria:

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 DCDE.
Applicants must have worked within an ELC or SAC service for the six months prior to their application.
Applicants must have a current application/offer for 2026/2027 entry to a Level 7/8 Degree course approved by the Qualification Advisory Board (QAB) that is eligible for NSLF.
Be a new entrant to an Approved Course for the academic year commencing 2026/2027 (Autumn 2026).

For clarity purposes, at time of application an applicant must not hold (or be already undertaking) an Approved Course at level 7 or level 8 in Early Learning and Care.

The eligibility criteria point highlighted in orange above is new for the 2026/2027 academic year. Portobello Institute will support you to get this letter of confirmation of your application as promptly as possible once you have completed the necessary application steps.

Our courses are approved by QAB, confirmation of this is listed on the third page of this document.

How are Students Selected for NSLF 2025/2026?

Where the demand for funding is greater than the available budget, the selection of successful applicants is based on the following criteria as set out in the NSLF rules:

Priority is given to services with no graduates currently employed.
Services supporting the most disadvantaged children (Equal Start Index) are prioritised.
Priority is given to applicants in lead educator or manager roles.
If the above criteria do not determine allocation, a random selection process is applied.

Students Who Received NSLF Funding in 2024/2025

Continuing Students (existing students who successfully received NSLF funding for Academic Year 2024/2025 and wish to continue to receive funding for NSLF for Academic Year 2025/2026)

Pobal will contact continuing students directly in early Summer asking individuals to verify their continuing eligibility for NSLF. Once eligibility is confirmed a new Letter of Conditional Funding will issue to the student for the academic year 2025/2026.

Register Your Interest to Study with Portobello Institute!

Portobello Institute is now accepting expressions of interest to study with us in October 2026.

Please remember that your application to Portobello Institute and your NSLF application are two different things. We will support you through this process.

Complete and submit the form below to register your interest to study with Portobello Institute and stay up to date with NSLF. Our course advisors will be in touch to support you with your application.

Early Childhood Care and Education at Portobello Institute (2)