Recruit more childminders

The charity is inviting anyone in four north Antrim communities who's interested in a career in childminding to attend an information session it's holding on Tuesday, 18th May in Rasharkin.

The event is being held as part of a wider drive by NICMA to recruit up to 150 new registered childminders in more than 50 rural communities throughout Northern Ireland, backed by funding from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Rural Childcare Programme.

NICMA has identified Rasharkin, Garvagh, Kilrea and Dunloy and the areas surrounding those communities as districts where there is a particular shortage of childminders at the moment. While its campaign isn't limited to these areas, it's especially keen to encourage people from these four communities to attend the drop-in information session.

"The evidence we have is that many parents in these areas are having difficulty accessing suitable, high quality and affordable childcare at the moment," said NICMA's Director, Bridget Nodder.

"We'd like to invite anyone who thinks they might be interested in a career in childcare to come along to the information session and find out more."

NICMA is aiming to recruit an additional 10 registered childminders in these communities which should result in the creation of up to 40 additional childcare places.

Bridget says there are many benefits to being a childminder.

"You have the enormous satisfaction of playing a major role in the lives of the children you care for," she explains.

"It's so rewarding to watch those children grow, and to feel that you've contributed to their development."

And Bridget points out that there are also real practical advantages to childminding too.

"You can work in your own home, choosing the hours you wish to work and the services you wish to provide," she says.

"If you have a family, you can care for your own children at the same time and qualify for working tax credits.

"And you'll meet other childminders in your area, and get to know more people in your local community."

In a survey commissioned by NICMA and carried out by Ipsos MORI, 43% of rural parents who'd recently sought childcare said they had found it difficult or impossible to find a place, compared to 28% in urban areas.

In addition to creating hundreds of new childcare places throughout Northern Ireland, the project will also offer a comprehensive programme of professional support and training for the new childminders.

"Many newly-registered childminders leave the profession within the first year and lack of business know-how is undoubtedly a factor," explains Bridget.

"The support and training offered by this programme will equip our new recruits with the business skills and professional know-how they need to succeed.

"That's important because we want to create sustainable, high-quality childcare places which parents can depend on."

Bridget urges anyone who thinks they might be interested in childminding to come along to the charity's drop-in information session which will be held between 10am and 12.30pm in the Community Centre, 135 Duneany Road, Rasharkin.

"Don't worry at all if you're not sure," says Bridget. "The whole purpose of the drop-in session is to enable you to get some useful information about becoming a childminder.

"This event will be really informal. If you're at all interested in childminding, now's the chance to get all your questions answered over a cup of tea or coffee."

Experts will be on hand to provide advice on all the practical aspects of becoming a childminder, including the registration process, and tax and benefits issues. Tea and coffee will be available. No pre-booking is required.

If you would like to find out more about NICMA's rural childcare project or you'd like any information on childminding, please contact either Maeve Milne, NICMA's project co-ordinator, on 07855 144138 or NICMA on 028 9181 1015. More information is also available on NICMA's website: www.nicma.org