|
| Back to Main News Section...
Title: Peace Funded Projects Celebrated By NICMA
Date: 28th June 2006
News Details:
Over 150 Registered Childminders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland celebrated their training achievements last night at NICMA – the Childminding Association’s Gala Awards Ceremony in Belfast City Hall. Councillor Wallace Brown, Lord Mayor of Belfast welcomed childminders, project funders and guests including those from NICMA’s European partner countries - Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Lithuania and said: “It is so important to recognise the valuable role played by Childminders in our City. As a society we must all support and acknowledge the invaluable part being played by many organisations and agencies, none more so than our childminders who provide ‘that home from home childcare’ with opportunities for individual attention as well as the rich learning environment of the home and local community. It is therefore important that we understand that the benefits of childminding are not confined to those in the workplace, but also have far reaching rewards for the greater community as a whole”.
The ceremony was a celebration of European and Childcare Partnership funded projects and showcased the learning achievements of childminders.
Bridget Nodder, NICMA’s Director said: “Tonight’s event has been the result of 5 training projects delivered over the last two years with funding from both the EU Peace programme and the ESF Building Sustainable Prosperityprogramme. It has enabled NICMA to deliver a range of childcare related training which has not only improved the quality of childcare to children and families, but has also contributed to community regeneration and peace building. In 2004, NICMA produced a report stating that ‘more than 70% of childminders in Northern Ireland had no formal training’. Now, as a result of NICMA accessing European funding programmes this has resulted in an increase of nearly 20% in the number of childminders holding training qualification”.
Contact Name: Bridget Nodder
Contact Number: 028 9181 1015/07850 102561
Email: bridget.nodder@nicma.org
Read Report
| | Back to Main News Section... |
| |
|
| 
