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Go To Childminding Information, Advice & Vacancy Service

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Why your Childminder should have Insurance Protection

Download order form for "With Parents in Mind" pack

SERVICES TO PARENTS

Help is at hand from the NICMA - the Childminding Association who have over 21 years experience of providing information and advice on all aspects of quality childminding services.

In order to provide children with quality childcare and learning, the NICMA Quality Childminding Charter requires childminders who are members to work towards 10 quality standards:

Click here to view Quality Childminding Charter  

WHY CHOOSE CHILDMINDING FOR YOUR CHILD? Click Here

There are many benefits to choosing childminding as your preferred daycare option.

Benefits to your children

  • Children benefit from the value of the home as a place in which a child can feel comfortable and secure
  • The family environment with familiar surroundings
  • The one-to-one care and special relationship from the same adult on a daily basis
  • The individual attention provided by the Childminder is a positive factor in supporting children's learning
  • The love and affection provided by the Childminder and their family

Benefits to parents

  • Flexibility and choice in hours of care to meet parents individual and changing needs
  • Children are cared for within their own community, thereby avoiding stressful commuter journeys
  • Parents and children develop a trusting relationship with the Childminder ensuring that the care provided is appropriate to the needs of their child
  • Childminders can provide continuity of care from the age of a few months right up to school age and beyond
  • Childminders can facilitate attendance at local after school activities
  • Registered childcare which is eligible for the Childcare element of the Working Tax Credit

Quality Childminding Standards

The quality assurance of childminding provision for children under 12 years begins with registration and inspection to minimum standards as set out in the Children (NI) Order 1995 and associated Regulations and Guidance. Childminders are inspected annually by the Health and Social Services Trust and for those childminders who are NICMA members, the NICMA Quality Childminding Charter recommends childminders to work towards specific quality standards.

Childminding Information and Vacancy Service

We offer a FREE information helpline to assist parents in choosing the most suitable Childminder and keeping that relationship going. Our CHILDMINDING INFORMATION AND VACANCY helpline on 028 9181 1015 is open Mon - Thu 9.30am - 4.00pm and Fri 9.30am - 1.00pm and offers information on all aspects of childminding including registration, fees, contracts etc. It will also provide you with access to childminding vacancies to meet your specific needs and will give detail on the individual childminders e.g. has the Childminder had any training? Will they be able to collect my child from school? Do they provide an after school service?

"WITH PARENTS IN MIND" - Information

We have produced an information pack for parents called "WITH PARENTS IN MIND" which provides parents, looking for quality childcare, with all the information required in order to find the right care for your child, terms and conditions, maintaining the relationship with your childminder etc.



CHILDMINDING INFORMATION, ADVICE & VACANCY SERVICE

NICMA’s Childminding Information, Advice & Vacancy Service is a key element of the services provided for parents, childminders, employers and other stakeholders. We offer access to:

  • A database of detailed Childminder vacancies to match to parents specific childcare needs;
  • A telephone Information & Advice service to answer all queries related to childminding services;
  • A ‘Childminding Business Pack’, updated annually, to assist childminders in offering a professional childcare service;
  • ‘With Parents in Mind’ Information Pack to assist parents to make an informed choice about the best care for their child;
  • A range of publications and resources to enhance childcare practice.


To use the service and access information of details of childminding vacancies please contact the Information Officer on 028 9181 1015.

Northern Ireland Childminding Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Quote



Northern Ireland Childminding Early Development Quote


Northern Ireland Childminding NICMA Conference Quote
Company Limited by Guarantee Registered Company No: NI25861 Charity No: X0549
NICMA - the Childminding Association
16/18 Mill Street,Newtownards
Co. Down,BT23 4LU
Tel: 0871 200 2063
Fax: 028 9182 0921
Use of NICMA Logo