Work childcare

CHILDCARE
The aim of the Partnership's Childcare work is to increase the quantity and quality of accessible childcare in the Partnership Area. To achieve this the Childcare Co-ordinator provides support to new and existing community childcare projects. This includes providing support and information in relation to training opportunities, funding and quality in childcare services. The facilitation of a network for childcare providers concerning childcare issues is also part of the Partnership's work as is support for individuals returning to training in Childcare.

Support to Early Years Services
On-going support and information is provided to 14 community-based services. Management committee support is also provided to local services which include the Fatima Children's Day Care Centre, the Intercultural Parent/Carer & Toddler Group, Dolphin House Crèche and Eala Óg Childcare project in Inchicore. This support assists the projects in improving the quality of their services.

The Intercultural Parent/Carer & Toddler Group has been running successfully now for more than 5 years. This service, which is aimed at people of different nationalities, has gone from strength to strength. It began with a number of parents meeting one morning a week and this has now risen to 3 morning sessions per week due to demand. There is an average attendance weekly of 69 adults and children which includes people of 17 different nationalities who live in the area.

The Partnership played a key role, in conjunction with local interests, in identifying the need for such a service and contributed to much of the work leading up to its establishment. The group continues to be supported by the Partnership which is regarded as important mainly because it helps prevent the potential social isolation that parents with young children may experience, especially those who are new to Ireland. It also provides a venue for young children to socialise, play and have fun alongside their parents/carers.

Quality Improvement Programme
The Quality Improvement Programme helps Early Years Services to develop their policies and procedures and supports managers and supervisors to promote best practice in their work.

Early Years Network
The Early Years Network is a training and policy forum which encourages participation and involvement of Early Years workers and parents. The committee plans and oversees activities on a yearly basis. The Childcare Co-ordinator identifies the training needs of workers and organises in-service training.

Development Fund
This fund is a small scale childminding support fund available to parents who need it in order to return to FETAC training in childcare. This limited fund may also be applied for by childcare workers as a contribution to study trips as part of their training.

Childcare Information Bureau
The Co-ordinator provides management support to the Childcare Information Bureau. The aim of the Bureau is to establish a quality childcare information service which will benefit all families and early years services in the Partnership area and the Dublin South Central area.

Policy Development
Work is currently in progress on studying the impact of the Childcare Subvention Schemes on community childcare providers. The co-ordinator is also linked with other national organisations and agencies on raising awareness and advocacy on issues in the early childhood sector.

If you would like further information on our Childcare work please contact our Childcare Co-ordinator at (01) 473 2196

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