Childminding Thematic Working Group
Childminding is one the most common forms of childcare in Ireland. According to the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey Special Module 2006, there are almost 120,000 children minded by 37,000 Childminders in Ireland. 70% of parents with pre-school children are using Childminders for their childcare needs. 83% of parents with school aged children who use childcare also use a Childminder.
The Childminding Thematic Work group was created in response to the need to support, advise and provide information for childminders and parents. One objective of the DCCC Action Plan was to promote initiatives targeted at the support and inclusion of childminders, including the development of voluntary notification with the HSE. The purpose of the Childminding Thematic Work group comprises of the following objectives:
- To inform policy development in the sector, including financial & other supports.
- To review good practice in other countries.
- To facilitate childminders in raising their concerns.
- Share information and learning for our work in relation to childminding.
The membership of the group includes a variety of people working with childminders:
- Childminder Representative
- Dublin City Childcare Committee Board Representative and staff member
- Childminding Advisory Officers
- Local Childcare Resource Service Representative from the following areas:
- Dublin North West
- Dublin North Central
- Dublin South Central
- Dublin South East
- Dublin Central
The DCCC board rep and staff member feed back information to the manager and board of DCCC at the monthly executive meetings and bi-monthly board meetings.
The group meet four times a year and at the start of each year complete a Work plan stating their aims for the year ahead.