13 September 2000

CHILDREN COME FIRST - FARREN LAUNCHES NEW CHILDMINDING INITIATIVE

A new childminding initiative, the first of its kind for Northern Ireland, was launched today by the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr Sean Farren.

The childminding network scheme, called "Children come first," aims to provide "Quality Assured Childcare and Education" to enable parents to access employment or training on either a full or part-time basis on a more flexible basis.

Speaking at the launch in Belfast, the Minister said: "Giving parents the chance to pursue their careers and take jobs, while at the same time ensuring that their children get the care and attention that they need, is not just an important piece of the economic jigsaw, but of life itself.

"This is recognised in the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy 'Children First', which seeks to raise the quality of childcare and make it more accessible and affordable. NICMA have played a central role in helping that happen and I congratulate and wish them every success in this new venture."

Four networks - North and West Belfast, Enniskillen, Craigavon and the Causeway area, are being set up on a pilot basis under the new scheme, which is funded by the Training and Employment Agency and administered by the Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA).

Director of NICMA, Bridget Nodder, said: "A Childminding Network, which is a formal group of up to 30 childminders managed by a coordinator, offers particular advantages to working parents because the hours are flexible and can be organised to suit family needs."

Regional Childminding Network Manager, Carol Gallagher, added: "We already have childminders on each Network and their professionalism and enthusiasm has been wonderful. However, NICMA would like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a Network childminder, whether already registered as a childminder or interested in becoming one. We would also welcome enquiries from organisations or companies wishing to establish their own Network."

 

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

The NI Childcare Strategy is set out in the Children First policy statement which was published jointly by the Training and Employment Agency (T&EA), the Department of Health, Social Services and Public safety, and the Department of Education. Children First was published in September 1999. The Strategy has three key aims: raise the quality of childcare, make childcare more affordable and improve access to childcare.

The T&EA are providing funding of £208,000 for the Initiative.

For further information on the Networks contact Carol Gallagher, Regional Childminding Network Manager, at NICMA, 16-18 Mill Street, Newtownards. Tel: 028 91 823350.

Media enquiries contact: Kevin Mulhern, Press Office, telephone 028 9025 7790 or mobile 07799 711523.