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With effect from 1 April 2009 the responsibilities of the Northern Childcare Partnership have transferred, on an interim basis, to the new regional Health and Social Care Board. This website will continue to be available until 31st December 2009 as part of the further transfer of responsibility to the Education and Skilla Authority. During this time existing contact details will remain.
Information On The Northern Childcare Partnership
The Northern Childcare Partnership is a partnership of Voluntary and Statutory Agencies working together in the Northern Health and Social Services Board area. The partnership aims to take forward locally the Government's Childcare strategy 'Children First' for enhancing childcare provision, a copy of the strategy can be found on the publications page.
This provision includes pre-school play groups, out of school hours childcare, child minders, day-care facilities and crèche facilities for children aged 0-14.
It is a requirement of 'Children First' that a Childcare Partnership be established in each Health and Social Services Board Area in Northern Ireland, and they devise and implement a three year Childcare Plan for their area.
The Rural Childcare Programme, through Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, is now open to applications.
For the full application pack, please contact 028 82 247727 or email rural.childcareprogramme@dardni.gov.uk with your request. All related documents can also be accessed on the DARD website, www.dard.gov.uk. Please note the closing date for this programme is 5.00pm on Tuesday 30th June 2009.
Listening To Children Booklet
The NCP has recently published a booklet called 'Listening to Children', which has been written in consultation with a small group of early years specialists from NEELB, NICMA, Playboard, and Early Years. This booklet is designed as a guide for a wide range of practitioners to encourage them to consult with children of any age and allow them to communicate their thoughts and ideas in a fun and meaningful way. Children are experts in their own lives and can therefore share with us a lot about their experience even from a very young age. The booklet is available to download from our Publications Section.
