Background to the Research

• Childminding is the provision of care and education for children under the age of 14 years, usually in the childminder's home.
• Childminders are self employed and enter into a business contract directly with parents.
• The Children [NI] Order 1995 defines a Registered Childminder as: "a person who looks after 1 or more children under the age of 12, for more than 2 hours per day, on domestic premises, for reward".
• In order to become a Registered Childminder, an individual must meet the standards set forth by the 11 Health & Social Services Trusts, which are also supported by the Children [NI] Order 1995 and the Children Order Guidance and Regulations Volume 2 Family Support, Childminding and Day Care.
• This process involves checking to ensure that the environment where the children will cared for is suitable.
• All individuals within the household over the age of 10 are vetted.
• Inspections are conducted by the HSST's and the overall provision of childcare is regulated by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
• It is an offence under the Children [NI] Order 1995 to provide unregistered childminding.
  

Research Approach

• The aim of this document is to:
  • Outline the role of NICMA.
  • Explore the benefits of childminding for all parties.
  • Set out the current provision.
  • Highlight the key issues currently facing the sector.
  • Make recommendations on the best way forward for the sector.
    

Main Findings

Benefits of Childminding

• Children's individual needs can be met through individual attention and interaction with other children.
• Low adult /child ratio - childminders can care for up to 3 children of pre-school age and 3 children of school age.
• Flexibility and choice in hours of care - ranging from full time to part time to meet the needs of working parents.
• Family friendly - allows siblings to be minded together, enhancing the development of emotional bonds and family stability.
• Part of the community - children are minded within their own community, allowing them to develop relationships and links with local organizations.
• Real life learning - children can participate in real life skills like cooking and shopping which can enhance their basic language and social skills.
• Support and back up - childminders can assist with homework and can help in emergency situations.
• Equality of Opportunity - it offers a more inclusive learning environment, particularly for children with disabilities who can be cared for alongside children of differing abilities.
• Investing in Children's Learning - society will reap the rewards of a good quality education and childcare system in the future.
• Meeting individual needs of children and families - through a highly flexible, affordable safe and reliable home based system of childcare.
• It will also assist in meeting the aims of Children First - The Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy - through improving access to affordable, flexible childcare.
• It will help to sustain the local economy by encouraging women's return to and retention within the workplace.
• It will promote social inclusion amongst children.

Current Provision

• The most up to date research, 'The Availability, use of, and demand for Childcare Services among the parents of children aged 0 - 14 in Northern Ireland', which was commissioned by the Equality Commission, DEL and the 4 Childcare Partnerships in 2002, concluded that demand for childminding far outstrips supply.
• The report recommended that a 20% increase in childminders is needed to meet the additional 5,500 places that would be needed by 2010.
• The report also highlights that two other studies have found an increase in unregistered childminders and outlines the dangers from an increase in such practices.

Funding

• Historically, the sector has suffered from a lack of long term funding which has had a detrimental effect on service planning.
• In 2003/04, NICMA received £713,039 to support the 4,384 registered Childminders who provide care for 22,161 children.
• In comparison, its counterparts in England and Wales have experienced substantial investment.

NICMA - Key Issues

• The report provides an overview of NICMA's strategic plans, its previous achievements and highlights the benefits of membership.
  • The poor perception of childminding in Northern Ireland.
  • Need for joined up thinking.
  • Lack of long term funding.
  • The increase in unregistered childminders.
  • The shortage of registered childminders.
  • The lack of support for childminders.
  • The need for training and Quality Assurance.
  • The need to develop specialist childminding services.
  • Public Liability Insurance.
  • Continuous improvement.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Raising the profile of Childminding through a publicity strategy.
• One Lead Minister/one lead department appointed to oversee policy.
• The development of a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy.
• Addressing the Unregistered Childminding Issue through a Recruitment and Retention Campaign, as part of the Publicity Strategy.
• Increasing number of Registered Childminders part of the Recruitment and Retention Campaign.
• Increased support for Childminders.
• The development of a regional Training & Quality Assurance strategy.
• Commission research to identify the usage and needs of Specialist Childminding Services.
• Holding a minimum level of Public Liability Insurance must become mandatory.
• A team should be established to monitor progress against the report's recommendations.
• In order to implement the above recommendations, the establishment of the following is required:
  • A Childminding Implementation Task Force, which will draw upon the expertise of relevant stakeholder agencies from within the Early years sector.
  • An NI Childminding Advisory group will be established to quality assure the work of the Task Force.
  • The NICMA Project team, comprising NICMA Senior Managers, will work at operational level to implement the work of the Task Force.
  • A chart outlining the proposed implementation plan is also included.