Background to the Research

• In response to identified problems within childcare, a childcare strategy for NI 'Children First' was published in September 1999. The Strategy recognised that "the people delivering childcare are crucial to the quality of service provided." Children First also indicated that the Training and Employment Agency would "develop a childcare training strategy for Northern Ireland»" with the aim of ensuring that "»the resources available are used as efficiently and effectively as possible."
• In late 1999, DHFETE, in consultation with DHSSPS and DENI commissioned independent research consultants to carry out a review of the childcare training arrangements in NI.
• This report sets out the Departments' response to the issues identified including setting three key strategic objectives to improve training arrangements as well as an action plan and proposals for improving co-ordination. IDGEY, which consists of three Departments, the Education and Training Inspectorate and the Social Services Inspectorate, regularly review the strategic objectives and action plan.
• Specific issues to improve the quality of childcare which need to be addressed are:
  • Increasing the number and improving the quality of entrants to the sector.
  • Maximising the benefit from training funding by targeting it at the most appropriate courses.
  • Improving the image of the sector to make it attractive as a career.
  • Improving the information on employment and qualifications in the sector to inform the future development of training strategy.
    

Action Proposals

• IDGEY considered the strategic objectives and key issues recommended by the Review and proposed an action plan for each of the following objectives to drive forward the improvements in childcare training which would impact directly on the quality of childcare provision.
  

Strategic Objectives

• To ensure that the quality of childcare is improved to meet children's needs and government's wider objectives, IDGEY set three key strategic objectives in relation to training:
  • To improve co-ordination between stakeholders.
  • To improve the qualification levels of existing childcare staff and to increase the number and improve the quality of new entrants.
  • To improve the quality of training.
• Other actions recommended by the Review will be considered as new arrangements, particularly in relation to co-ordination, are put in place.