Friday, June 19, 2009

Childminding Week 2009: Childcare Committee Supporting each child to reach their full potential

Childcare Committee ‘Supporting each child to reach their full potential’

Forty Childminders gathered in Galway on Saturday (13/6/09) to explore various aspects of developing their childcare services. The event was supported by the Galway City and County Childcare Committee.

Mary Daly, education officer with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment presented Aistear, the national curriculum framework for children from birth to 6 yrs. Aistear was developed through – and is applicable to – all early years settings from childminding homes, to crèche’s to infant classrooms. It provides information for adults to help them plan for and provide enjoyable and challenging learning experiences so that all children can grow and develop as competent and confident learners.

Jan Mulvaney, an expert in childcare and education, explored the concept that ‘all children are special but some children have additional needs’ in a workshop that supported practitioners to ensure their care enables children rather than further disables them.

Ann Marie Lydon, Senior Community Dietician in the HSE West, examined ‘Good Nutrition Practices in Childminding Settings’. This popular workshop examined nutritional information and Ann Marie provided inspiring menus as well as practical and cost effective recipes ideas.

The day ended with ‘Music and Movement for Children’ facilitated by Laurie Link-Gordon, who persuaded all the delegates to get moving to the music and share their favourite songs, rhymes and children’s games.

Sheila Garrity, Childminder Advisory Officer with the Galway City & County Childcare Committee said, “The aim of this year’s childminders’ seminar was to enhance childminders’ skills in supporting each child in their care to reach their full potential. This is an important annual event whereby childminders not only build upon their skills and knowledge as a childminder, but also make contact with others in the business to swap information and experience.
The Galway City and County Childcare Committee provides support, information, training and networking opportunities to childminders and potential childminders through the National Childminding Initiative. Contact the Committee at 091-752039 or www.galwaychildcare.com to find out more.
Ends
16th June 2009


Notes to editors about Galway City & County Childcare Committee

The Galway City & County Childcare Committee was established in 2000. Its key aims are:

1. To coordinate, support and assist in the development of a range of quality childcare services in Galway
2. To coordinate the implementation of the National Childcare Investment Programme at local level, on behalf of the Office of the Minister for Children
3. To work with other agencies in developing and implementing special initiatives to support children and families.

Over 70% of parents of pre-school children who use childcare will use a childminder. For these families in which both parents work outside the home, Childminders will be the largest supply of formal and informal childcare. The Committee acknowledges and embraces the important role Childminders play in local community and encourages more childminders to contact the Committee to take advantage of the support we offer to their unique needs as a childminder.

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