Committee Structure

• Function of the Committee
• Sub-committees and Working Groups
• Operational Sub Committee
• Development, Training Quality, Equality & Diversity Sub Committee
• Project Evaluation Sub Committee
• Linkages with other agencies

Function of the Committee

The Leitrim County Childcare Committee brings together representatives of statutory, social partner and voluntary agencies and groups with a remit for and / or interest in childcare provision.  The key function of the Committee is to oversee and ensure that childcare in the county is developed in a strategic and co-ordinated way.

Sub-committees and Working Groups

The following sub-committees support and progress the work of the overall committee:

Operational Sub Committee

Oversees tasks related to finance, staff support and development, policy, monitoring, evaluation, planning and public relations / information.

Development, Training Quality, Equality & Diversity Sub Committee

Assesses how and where development support should be delivered to new and existing facilities.
Oversees the training strategy and co-ordinates the provision of training.
Continually develops an understanding of what constitutes quality, sets quality targets and co-ordinates actions aimed at achieving quality.
Co-ordinates actions relating to access and diversity, including transport initiatives, research, education and assessing and responding to the needs of target groups.

Project Evaluation Sub Committee

Accesses the quality and capacity of all applications to develop childcare services within the county. This sub committee oversees all the expression of interest forms/staffing and capital grant application forms in consultation with a representative from POBAL.

Short-term working groups will be formed comprising of external members as the need arises.

Linkages with other agencies

Linkages with agencies take place through the County Committee structure itself, as well as through the work of sub-committees and working groups as required.  Relevant players will be invited to participate in working groups to progress work on particular areas as deemed necessary.

The Leitrim County Development Board and the nominee of its Community Forum will be represented on the Leitrim County Childcare Committee, thus ensuring that the policies of the two bodies are complementary and that childcare development is an important element in the overall social and economic development of the county.  Actions related to the implementation of the National Children’s Strategy, which is co-ordinated locally by the CDB, will be also be an important area of co-operation.