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?
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.
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