Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) - Registrations Now Open!
Portobello Institute is participating in the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) 2025.
This gives you the opportunity to study your Level 7 BA (Ord) or Level 8 BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care and Education degree with Portobello Institute starting October 4th 2025 with up to 90% of the course fees covered by NSLF (80% plus the opportunity to reclaim an additional 10% of fees after graduating).
Register your interest and stay up to date by submitting the form below and we will be in touch with you.
You can also call us 01 892 0028 from 9 am - 5 pm or book a call at a time that suits you here.
Register Your Interest with Portobello Institute
The Benefits of Choosing Portobello Institute
- Complete 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.
Applications for NSLF for Academic Year 2025/2026 Now Open
The new application process for NSLF for the academic year 2025/2026, opened for applications on 12th March 2025.
NSLF Application Process and Timelines
From Wednesday, 12th March, 2025, 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 2024/2025 and were unsuccessful, should make a new application for the academic year 2025/2026 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.
The application process will close on 1st May, 2025.
Rules and conditions for Academic Year 2025/2026
Please read carefully prior to completing the application process:
Eligibility for NSLF 2025
Those wishing to make an application 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.
- Applicants must have a current application/offer for 2025/26 entry to a Level 7/8 Degree course approved by the Qualification Advisory Board (QAB) that is eligible for NSLF. (Fill in the form above to start this process with Portobello Institute)
- Be a new entrant to an Approved Course for the academic year commencing 2025/2026
(Autumn 2025) - Not be an ELC educator or SAC practitioner currently undertaking the completion of an Approved Course or an equivalent degree.
- Not be an ELC educator or SAC practitioner who has already completed an Approved Course or equivalent degree.
For clarity purposes, at time of application an applicant must not hold (or be undertaking) an Approved Course at level 7 or level 8 in Early Learning and Care.
Selection Criteria 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:
1. The number of graduates in the applicant’s service, with priority for applicants from services with no graduates,
2. Priority index (Equal Start Index, formerly EPM 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.
4. If, after the above prioritisation has been applied and not been decisive, random selection
was applied.
How Much Does the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund Cover?
The NSLF can make up to a 90% contribution to course fees for participating students.
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 academic year.
This funding will be paid directly to the educational intuition on behalf of 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.
The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund fees at Portobello Institute are calculated as follows:
- Cost of course fees per academic year: €3,600
- Nurture Fund Grant at 80% of fee: €2,880
- Cost to student per academic year: €720
- Further 10% you can claim back 6 months after graduating and remaining working in the sector: €360 per academic year
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.
Read More
Why Choose Portobello Institute?
Choosing Portobello Institute means that you will study 100% of your classes online around full-time work hours, you can complete the required work placement hours in your current role in an early years setting, and you can relax knowing our courses are assessment based with no exam pressure. We are the early years sector's leading education provider and our Institute was founded in early years education in 1981.
"The process through Portobello was super easy, the communication with staff made the process so much easier. I was a bit worried going back to education after taking some time off but the staff at Portobello are so reassuring." - Una Broderick, Early Childhood Care and Education Student