Minister Poots launches new Childcare service

Parents only pay for the hours they use, with no retainers or holiday fees. With family purse strings increasingly tightened, this offers a new affordable childcare choice for all families.  Parents may also use Childcare Vouchers or Tax Credits to help reduce the cost even further. 

It will be particularly beneficial for parents working unconventional hours and for parents with children with special needs and/or disabilities. Larger families will also benefit as parents pay by the hour, rather than per child.

Jenny and Fergus McGivern have struggled to find suitable childcare since the birth of their son Joseph just over a year ago.  Jenny has recently signed up to access the Approved Home Childcare service, she commented:

“This is a brilliant service and so perfectly fills the gap in the market that we had been struggling to fill on our own! It means so much to us and is such a relief; a real answer to our prayers”!

In addition to providing a new childcare choice for families, the service will also create new childcare job opportunities for those wanting to work in this sector, with projections of over 100 jobs created within the first three years.

Edwin Poots MLA said “All of us across our community can work positively together to support families in helping children reach their full potential.  I therefore welcome Employers For Childcare’s new service as a positive step which builds on the work of my own Department’s Approved Home Childcare Scheme.  I hope that the new service will offer parents fresh opportunities for securing childcare that best suits them and their children’s needs.”

Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, launched the new innovative childcare service today (Thursday 14 June) and officially opened the new offices of Employers For Childcare Charitable Group in Lisburn. Minister Poots acknowledged the outstanding success and growth of this thriving Social Enterprise, a shining example of Social Enterprise in Northern Ireland.

Visit http://www.approvedhomechildcare.co.uk/  for more details