Health Minister launches charity’s childminding proposal

The proposal, which was launched earlier today at Parliament Buildings, is part of a package of measures which NICMA – the Childminding Association is urging the Northern Ireland Executive to proceed with.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Poots said:

“I welcome the publication of this report which will provide an important contribution to the comprehensive and frank discussion needed about childcare and how it can be improved.

“Childcare is an extremely important issue for all families. Juggling work, education or training, while securing suitable childcare, is a potentially stressful challenge for all parents.”

NICMA’s Director, Bridget Nodder, said:

“The Northern Ireland Executive has committed £12m towards childcare over the next four years.

“There are many problems which that funding can be used to tackle, including the need for more affordable and high quality childcare places.

“We’re very honoured that the Minister has taken the time to launch our proposal, and to listen to our ideas and concerns.”

Registered childminding is the most popular form of full-time childcare inNorthern Ireland, accounting for 61% of full-time daycare places.

Yet the number of registered childminders has fallen in recent years and many parents have difficulty finding childcare; a survey carried out for NICMA by Ipsos MORI found nearly a third (30%) of parents who had recently looked for childcare had found their search difficult, with 43% of those in rural areas encountering problems. 

NICMA is proposing the introduction of a Childminder Start-up Programme which would provide new childminders with practical start-up assistance, mentoring and resources.

Another issue of particular concern to NICMA is the length of time it can take to register as a childminder.

NICMA’s own survey evidence shows it takes, on average, seven months for a would-be childminder to go through the registration process – more than double the official maximum period of three months.

“We know the Department of Health has been reviewing this issue,” said Ms Nodder, “and we are proposing measures which we believe could address the problem.

“We are concerned that undue delays in registration times can put off potential childminders and can also lead to childminders operating illegally, without going through the registration process, thus putting at potential risk the children they’re looking after.”

Mr Poots said that action was being taken by the Executive and by his own Department:

“The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is considering how the development of a childcare strategy can best be taken forward. My Department is fully engaged with OFMDFM in this process.

“Action is also already being taken to improve inspection and registration processes, as well as to enhance the provision of information to parents.

“I commend NICMA for their ongoing work in assisting in the development of the childminding workforce and in helping to identify possible solutions for the difficulties in current childminding provision.”

For further details, please contact Bridget Nodder, NICMA Director on 07850 102561

Short Report:  http://www.nicma.org/cms/press%20releases/Way%20Forward%20for%20Childminding%20Briefing%20Paper%204PagePrecis.pdf

Full report:  http://www.nicma.org/cms/press%20releases/WayForward%20for%20Childminding%2012p%20Briefing%20Paper.pdf