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Childminding Support Groups and Drop Ins

CHILDMINDING SUPPORT GROUPS

There is a network of Childminding Support Groups affiliated to NICMA across Northern Ireland. The groups exist to provide a support network to self-employed childminders who work in isolation and offer a range of activities including:-

  • Social Activities
  • Training - e.g. First Aid, Special Needs
  • Toy Library
  • Guest Speakers
  • Support, advice and sharing of information

Information evenings and get togethers are also organised in those areas not serviced by support groups. For further support and guidance please contact the local Childminding Development Officer.

If you are interested in attending, contact the local Childminding Development Officer.

CHILDMINDING DROP-INS

 A Drop-in is a regular session for childminders and their ‘minded’ children where the childminders access group interaction and support from each other and the children have opportunity for group play, social interaction and group learning.

Drop-ins run at regular intervals but we would recommend that they operate no more than once weekly, as NICMA’s purpose is to provide ‘quality childcare and education in a registered homebased setting’.

A ‘Drop-in’ aims to:

  • Provide a safe and stimulating environment where children have the opportunity to play, develop, learn and interact in a ‘group’ setting.
  • Provide a fully inclusive setting to all the children.
  • Encourage registered childminders to access support, advice and training and reduce their sense of isolation.
  • Raise the profile of ‘registered’ childminding to prospective childminders, parents and other agencies.

Eastern Health & Social Services Board
Ulster Community Hospital Trust & Down Lisburn Trust
Contact: Tracey Scott Tel: 07891039094
Childminding Development Officer, Eastern Childcare Partnership

Group Venue Evening Time
Ballynahinch Grove House,Dromore Street 1st Wednesday 8.00pm
Bangor Epworth Hall, Methodist Church Hamilton Road 3rd Tuesday 7.30pm
Colin Glen Christ the Redeemer Parish Hall, Lagmore 3rd Wednesday 7.30pm
Lisburn Trinity Methodist Church, Knockmore Rd, Lisburn 2nd Tuesday 7.30pm
Newtownards NICMA Office Newtownards 2nd Wednesday 7.30pm


Eastern Health & Social Services Board
South & East Trust/North & West Belfast Trust
Contact: Liz Brown Tel: 07517 472271

GroupVenueEveningTime
East Belfast & Castlereagh Strandtown Baptist Church, Belmont Road 2nd Tuesday 7.30pm
Carryduff Contact NICMA Office    
North & West Belfast Millennium Community Outreach Centre, Springfield Rd Bi-Monthly
3rd Monday
7..30pm


Northern Health & Social Services Board
Homefirst trust
Contact: Clare McKay Tel: 07746974643
NICMA Childminding Development Officer

Group Venue Evening Time
Ballymena George Sloan Centre 2nd Monday 7.30pm - 9:30pm
Causeway SNACC (Support Network Association Causeway Childminders) Mountfern Complex Coleraine
3rd Wednesday
7.30pm 
Crumlin/Antrim Women in Touch Centre,Main Street Crumlin 1st Thursday 7.30pm
Larne Gloucester Park Day Centre 1st Wednesday 8.00pm - 10.00pm
Magherafelt Women's Centre, Magherafelt Last Tuesday of Month 7.30pm
Oakfield & Woodburn Drop In Centres meet regularly in Carrickfergus. For further information contact the NICMA office on 028 91 811015


Southern Health & Social Services Board
Contact:- Michelle Grant Tel: 07738 176 199
NICMA Childminding Development Officer

GroupVenueEveningTime
Armagh Day Unit, Mullinure Hospital Armagh 1st Monday 8:00pm
Banbridge Social Educ. Centre Commercial Road, Banbridge 3rd Monday 8.00pm
Dungannon Conference Room 1, South Tyrone Hospital 4th Thursday 8.00pm
Kilkeel Kilkeel Leisure Centre Bi- Monthly
3rd Tuesday
7.30pm
Clogher Valley Group Surestart Offices,Main Street Augher Bi- Monthly
1st Monday
7.30pm
Newry/ South Armagh South Armagh Surestart Camlough or Orana Surestart Warren Point Newry Venue rotates monthly 2nd Tuesday 7.30pm


Western Heath & Social Services Board
Sperrin Lakeland Trust
Contact:- Maria Moss : 07855 392147
NICMA Childminding Development Officer

GroupVenueEveningTime
Enniskillen Family Centre,Coleshill,Enniskillen 1st Thursday 8.00pm
Omagh Gortmore Day Centre, Derry Road Last Monday 8.00pm
Drop-in-Centre Omagh Early Years Centre 2nd Friday 10.00am-11.30am


Western Heath & Social Services Board
Foyle Trust
Contact:- Clare Hagan  Tel: 07842 871840
NICMA Childminding Development Officer

Group Venue Evening Time
Foyle MDEC, Altnagelvin Hospital 1st Monday 7.30pm
Shantallow/Littlehands - Surestart Drop-in-Centre Springtown/Creevagh Surestart Ringfort Road,Hazelbank, Derry Every Thursday 9.30am - 11.00am
Limavady Buttercup Toy Library, Limegrove School, Limavady Monday Morning 9.30am -11.30 am.

 

 



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NICMA - the Childminding Association
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Co. Down,BT23 4LU
Tel: 0871 200 2063
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