Early Years Childcare & Education Programme

• Areas of Support
• Mentoring Support
• Childcare Workers Relief Panel
• Parent and Toddler Groups
• Pre-school Services
• Respecting Difference Training
• BCCN Quality Development Accreditation Programme
• Childcare Providers Network

Under the Early Years Childcare and Education Programme the County Childcare Committee aims to support new and existing childcare services throughout the county, including playgroups, preschools, crèches and parent and toddler groups.

Areas of Support

General development support for new and existing services includes:

• assistance with completion of funding applications
• advice in relation to securing premises
• developing aims and objectives
• developing policies
• assistance with recruitment of staff and human resources issues
• assistance with setting up a childcare facility
• support to those participating in quality programmes.

Mentoring Support

The Childcare Support and Development Worker assists with the provision of mentoring support to childcare providers who will receive professional mentoring in a specific area, which will enhance the quality of the service and the capacity of staff and committee members.

Childcare Workers Relief Panel

LCCC has formed a childcare worker relief panel. This is a database of trained childcare workers who are available for relief work in childcare services throughout the county. If a childcare provider wishes to avail of this panel they should contact the office. If you are a trained childcare worker and wish to be placed on the relief panel please contact the office for an application from.

Parent and Toddler Groups

Parent and Toddler groups offer an important service to families. Some parents can feel isolated and parent and toddler groups can provide valuable support to parents. Parent and toddler groups provide play opportunities for children and social opportunities for parents, carers and childminders in a relaxed atmosphere. New members are always welcome so if you wish to attend a group in your area please contact the County Childcare Committee for contact details of parent & toddler groups in your locality. If you wish to set up a parent and toddler group please contact us for further information.

Pre-school Services

Pre-school services relate to any pre-school, playgroup, Montessori School, High/Scope School, Steiner School, crèche or similar services.  Pre-school services may be privately run or operated by voluntary committees within a community.  There are currently 26 community-run and 12 privately-run playgroups in the county.  There are also 13 full day care services catering for children under the age of 5 years.
LCCC run an annual advertisement in the local papers, all childcare services including pre-schools, playgroups, crèches and parent and toddler groups are invited to advertise their service in this advert.  There is a charge (which is decided annually) for each service to submit their information, further information.  If you wish to advertise your service please complete the attached form and return to the office.
LCCC administers annual grants to community-run childcare services on behalf of the HSE. If you wish to apply please complete the application form and return to the office.
Download the Pre School Annual Grant Form (pdf)

BCCN Quality Development Accreditation Programme

The BCCN has devised to provide information, training, support and accreditation to service providers and staff seeking to deliver a quality pre-school service that promotes the needs and rights of children, parents, management and staff.  The BCCN believes quality pre-school services promote the health, well being, learning and development of children and provide valuable support to parents and families.  In order to deliver a comprehensive, quality service all aspects of the service are considered including:

• Legislation & management
• Staffing a pre-school service
• Partnership with parents
• Premises
• Safety, health & hygiene
• The learning environment
• The pre-school play curriculum

There are currently 5 services participating in the programme; Drumkeerin Childcare Services, Kiltubrid Playgroup, Tiny Toppers Pre-school Playgroup, Tiny Hearts Community Crèche and Playschool and Carrigallen Community Childcare Facility Ltd.
Kinlough Community Playgroup completed the programme and were presented with their Quality Award in 2006.

Respecting Difference Training

The International Fund for Ireland is providing just over £1.1m/€1.6m for an innovative new pre-school project aimed at helping young children to develop positive attitudes to diversity. Developed and run by Early Years - the Organisation for Young Children, The Respecting Difference Programme will deliver mutual understanding and diversity training and resource packs for practitioners, teachers, parents and pre-school management committees across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.

“The Respecting Difference Programme is a unique media initiative for children using cartoons and interactive play materials to help young children understand and respect those who are different and encourage inclusion in a very simple child-friendly way. The programme, backed by research and evaluation from Queen’s University Belfast, has been effectively tested and piloted to ensure it delivers an effective programme for young children - what is good for children is good for everyone.”

In commitment to our Equality and Diversity Action, LCCC has secured 21 free places on the Respecting Difference Programme over the next three years (7 places per year).

Each successful group will receive:

• 5 full days training (4 initial and 1 follow up day) on the Respecting Difference Programme for all staff in the childcare setting.
• A contribution to staff cover while permanent staff are training. All settings will be provided with €500 as a contribution to replacement staff costs if necessary.
• A resource box and Service Design Curriculum for all implementing settings. This is valued at approximately €500 and will provide the necessary resources and curriculum to fully implement a Respecting Difference Programme.
• 10 hour Early Years Specialist support (From a Senior Early Years Specialist employed by Early Years) per month for each implementing setting which will include monthly visits and cluster support.
• 3 Parent engagement workshops per setting
• 3 Management Support and Training sessions

Anti Bias Media initiative Training Respecting Difference, held in the Bush Hotel in April 2008

Please Note:

• Childcare groups/Practitioners who have already participated on this training programme through LCCC are still eligible to apply for this extended training package.
• The programme is open to Community and Privately run childcare groups.
• Application forms are available from LCCC.
• Following the closing date for application, a panel will select 7 groups for participation on the next role out of the programme. All selection decisions are final.
• If your group is unsuccessful, you may reapply next year.

Childcare Providers Network

The Childcare Support and Development Worker co-ordinates the childcare providers network. The network aim to provide support and information to both community and private childcare providers throughout the county.

Contact us!
If you require any further information on upcoming training or events or if you would like to suggest ideas for information sessions or workshops, please do not hesitate to contact us.