Supporting parents with childcare is pivotal to family life

Speaking in Lisburn at the official opening of the Employers For Childcare Charitable Group’s new premises the Minister said: “Our children are at the heart of our families and our communities. Their care and wellbeing is central to all that we do.

“We all recognise the importance of providing a safe, happy environment for our children. For many parents, this will mean making childcare choices.

“For some this will mean securing a registered childminder; or settling their child in a nursery or playschool; for others this will mean childcare in their own home.”

The Minister continued: “My Department introduced the approved Home Childcarer Approval Scheme in 2006. Three key aims underpinned its vision. These were to improve the quality, the accessibility and the affordability of home-based childcare. Those aims are all still valid.

“The scheme has meant that for families with particular needs – such as multiple birth families or those with parents working outside traditional Monday to Friday working hours, access to home-based childcare options has improved.

“The scheme also introduced checks undertaken by Social Services for childcare that takes place in the child’s own home, thereby contributing to improved quality of care.”

The Department will issue updated guidance to help both parents and approved home childcarers understand their roles and responsibilities in setting up and sustaining home childcare.

It provides a practical ‘how to’ guide with tips and advice on all aspects of approved home childcarer provision.

The Minister concluded: “The recently published review of health and social care in Northern Ireland, Transforming Your Care highlights the fact that health and social care needs of children and young people are best addressed by many agencies working together.

“My own Department’s Family Matters,family and parenting strategy, highlights the value of working together for families and communities and we know that parents welcome support from a wide range of formal and informal support networks as they strive to raise their children.

“I am therefore delighted that Employers for Childcare has taken proactive steps to identify opportunities to support parents in making best use of this scheme.”