Cavan County Childcare Committee

Choosing Childcare

When and if the time comes to handing your child over to a stranger, you need to be fully informed of the different types of childcare services. This can be a daunting task for any parent and the type of childcare that you need will depend on your needs, your child’s needs and the type of childcare that you prefer.

There are a number of options when it comes to childcare. Services can be Community or privately run, centre based in a childcare facility or home based in your or the carers home.

Centre Based Childcare Facilities

A centre based childcare facility is ideal for you if you want your child to mix and socialize with similar aged children in an environment that is centered around early childhood care and education. Whether privately or community run they must be notified to and inspected by the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Child Care (pre school regulations) 2006.

Community and Private Childcare Services

There are two types of childcare services community and private; the Community work within the Not-for-Profit sector while private is for profit and are self employed. The only difference between the two is that parents using a community childcare service may avail of reduced rates through the community childcare subvention scheme if the parent is eligible.

Universal Free Pre School Year

A pre-school service offers a planned programme to children in the year prior to starting national school.  The Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Scheme is FREE and available to all children aged 3 years and 2 months.  It is not means tested.  The cost of the FREE pre school year is paid by the government to the pre school service directly.  The FREE year commences in September but it is the responsibility of the parent to register their child at the service of their choice prior to that.  In September, the parent is then required to complete a parent declaration form confirming their child's date of birth and PPS no. 

Parents of children with special needs can apply to split the free pre school year over two years, to do this parents must apply directly to the Department of Children & Youth Affairs, 43 - 49 Mespil Road, Dublin 4. 

Pre school services are covered under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Full-Day Care (Creche, Nursery)

Full day care services offer a structured day care service for children aged 0 - 6 for more than 5 hours per day and may include a sessional pre-school service.  Services such as those currently described as day nurseries and crèches are included in this definition. Full day care  services are covered under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Child care for school-going children provided outside of normal school hours where the same children attend the child care facility on a regular basis and access to the service is clearly defined by agreement with parents and guardians. The term “after-school child care” would generally refer to such a service which takes place after school hours during the school term. However, other school-age or “out-of-school” child care facilities may open before the school day, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and-or during school holidays. There is a variety of such services provided, which reflects the diverse needs of families for such child care. There is no notification or inspection system in place for school-age child care.

Home Based Childcare Services

A home based childcare service is ideal for you if you want your child to be cared for in a home environment where they can socialize in a small group of children of varying ages. Home based childcare services can also provide structured educational play and learning.

Childminder

A Childminding service” means a pre-school service which is offered by a person who single-handedly takes care of pre-school children, including the childminder’s own children, in the childminder’s home for a total of more than 2 hours per day. Exceptions do occur. This service refers to pre-school children looked after in the childminder’s home. This service is offered for the full working day or for different periods during the day. Childminders who mind three or more children are covered under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Childminders who mind less than three children do not legally have to notify the HSE but may choose to voluntarily notify the County Childcare Committee. These Childminders are expected to sign up to the National Guidelines to Childminders and offer a service of a quality similar to those that are notified and inspected by the HSE

Nanny/Au Pair

A Nanny Au Pair is employed by parents to provide childcare in the chihlds own home and can look after children of any age. Nannies may be live in or come to your home on a daily basis or as required. There is no legal requirement for a Nanny to be qualified in childcare but many have childcare training. Nannies do not have to notify the HSE pre school Services.

When choosing a nanny it is important that you interview the person and check all references supplied before offering the post. When employing a nanny, the parent should be aware of the relevant employment legislation and have employer’s liability insurance cover.

Choosing A Suitable Programme/Curriculum

Montessori

The Montessori Method revolves around the use of specific learning materials within a highly structures environment. Children then proceed through various learning experiences, which are graded from simple to complex. The Montessori teacher initially introduces the learning materials to the children. After this introduction, the children can explore them at their own pace and developmental level. The learning materials are grouped into 5 distinct areas; Practical Life, sensorial, mathematics, language and Culture.

Highscope

Highscope is an ‘active learning’ approach giving the children direct hands on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. The theory is that children learn best by carrying out activities they choose and complete themselves. One of the most distinctive features of the Highscope approach is the Plan – Do – Review system. Children choose whatever activity they want to do, carry it out and then reflect on it with the group leader when finished. The adult’s main role is to then further extend the child’s learning rather than direct or teach. The highscope environment contains several distinctive areas such as construction, art, home sand/water and book area.

Eclectic Approach/Play Based Curriculum

The idea that it is possible to plan and provide a programme within a variety of different frameworks, methods and ideas is known as an eclectic approach. The eclectic approach usually does not have any one particular programme in place but takes in elements of good practice from various different early education models and uses them to shape a child centered curriculum. Play is recognized as one of the most important ways of learning for children and is usually a major feature of the eclectic approach.

Irish Medium

A pre school that operates through the medium of Irish is called a Naoinra. In addition to the general advantages of pre school education, the Naoinra aims to introduce children to the Irish language or to further encourage their use of Irish. No pressure is placed on the children to speak Irish. The idea is that the child will acquire Irish by listening, understanding, isolating words and structures and eventually produce words, phrases and sentences.

Aistear 

Aistear is Ireland’s curriculum framework for children from birth to six years. It contains information for parents and practitioners that will help them plan for and provide challenging and enjoyable learning experiences that can enable all children to grow and develop as competent and confident learners in the context of loving relationships with others. Aistear describes the types of learning and development that are important for children in their early years, and offers ideas and suggestions on how these might be nurtured.

Childrens Well Being

Inspection & Notification

The Child Care pre school regulations 2006, regulations all pre school facilities except those delivered by childminders caring for less than three children.

Pre school childcare providers are required to notify the health Service Executive (HSE) that they are providing services.

In addition they are required to take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health , safety and welfare of pre school children attending their service.

Overall the Department of Health and Children has responsibility for ensuring compliance and developing policy in this area. Responsibility for the development of childcare services now lies with the office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, which is an integral part of the department of health and Children. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to inspect and regulate pre school childcare services.

The pre school regulations now cover vary important areas such as the health, welfare and development of the child as well as behaviour, adult/child ratios, premises and facilities, floor space, heating and ventilation, sanitation, food, safety measures, facilities for rest, and play and insurance.

One of the main elements outlined in the pre school regulations is ensuring that a sufficient number of competent adults are supervising children at all times. Specific ratios of staff to children set in the guidelines are outlined below.

Pre school services, including childminders that are notified receive and annual inspection from the HSE. The inspection is designed to ensure the health, safety and welfare and development of children. It is also there to ensure that the pre school service complies with the relevant statutory requirement including the pre school regulations.

Childminders who are caring for more than 3 pre school children (exemptions apply) are required to notify the HSE of their service. The OMCYA encourages childminders who are caring for 3 or less pre school children to voluntary notify to their county Childcare Committee.

Recognising A Quality Childcare Service

Good quality childcare provides a safe stimulating environment and supports the physical, emotional, social, moral and intellectual development of children. When visiting different childcare facilities, do not be afraid to ask questions. A good facility will only be too happy to share all their information

General Information

Whenever you first approach a childcare service requiring information, there are a few key pieces of information that you should be given upfront. A well organised and quality service will have this information promptly to hand, mostly in writing or print, presented in a clear, easy to understand manner, and should leave you with very few questions to ask.

This should include

• Is the service notifies/inspected to the HSE or a voluntary notified childminder to Cavan County Childcare Committee?
• The hours of operation and the fee charges/arrangements
• The age range of children catered for and what is the maximum number of children they can cater for at any one time
• Can your child be accommodated if they have additional needs 9e.g. learning, physical or behavioural)?
• What facilities are provided for play, sleep, toilet/nappy changing and meals? Is there a sample menu for foods provided.
• The aims/philosophy of the service.

Relationships and Interactions

Staff in a childcare setting should encourage positive interactions between children. They should actively engage in interactions with children individually and in groups and support in the development of relationships between both children and staff and children together. Things to look out for?

• Does the service feel welcoming to both you and your child?
• Does the atmosphere seem to be warm and caring?
• Is there positive interaction between staff and children?
• Opportunities for children to play in pairs, groups or individually?

Questions to ask?

Does the service has a key worker system in place

Do siblings and children of different age groups mix during the day?

Does the service have a positive behaviour policy and how are instances of negative interactions dealt with?

Environment

Ask yourself the following:

• Is the premises clean, bright, well lit where possible by natural lighting?
• Is the premises well ventilated?
• Child friendly environment
• Does the equipment and furniture appear safe appropriate and well maintained?
• Is their an awareness and understanding of child safety, particularly on entering and exiting the premises.
• Suitable outdoor play area and environment.
• Variation in toy equipment e.g. home corner, sand and water play, puzzles books and blocks
• Appropriate sleeping and rest facilities
• Evidence of children’s creative abilities e.g. art work displayed at children’s eye level

Important questions:

How often is the equipment checked for damages?

What is the routine for sleep and rest times?

Does the service have a policy on T.V./DVD usage?

What safety checks are carried out and when?

What is the policy on visitors coming to the setting and when?

The Programme/Curriculum

The services programme/curriculum should cater for all areas of childrens development, be well documented and the documents available and readily in use.

Things to look for

A broad range of planned activities that children can participate in regularly

Evidence of different activities children have participated in.

Evidence of both child led and adult led chosen activities.

Important questions

How does the curriculum/programme support your child’s learning and development?

Does the chosen curriculum offer opportunities for parents to become involved in children’s learning?

Are children provided with opportunities to learn about their own and other cultures?

What is the general daily routine?

Does the timetable appear to achieve a good balance between quiet activities (painting, jig saws rest time) and more energetic i=ones (e.g. dancing outdoor play and free play) between child led activities (e.g. free play) and adult chosen ones (e.g. story time?)

Do children attending all day (including babies) get a break away from the main room?

Are children taught practical skills (e.g. hand washing, toilet training, dressing etc…)

Health and Safety

Services should implement a full range of policies and procedures to promote the health and welfare of both children and adults in the setting.

Things to look for:

• Up to date policies and procedures relating to all areas of risk within the setting
• Fire safety equipment (e.g. smoke alarms, fire extinguishers) and evidence of regular fire drills
• An accident and incident recording book
• Well maintained equipment and premises
• Clearly marked emergency exists.

Important questions:

Does the service have adequate insurance including additional cover for collecting/transporting children in cars or for outings?

What is the policy on reporting accidents and illness to parents?

Are there any other persons, excluding childcare staff, who will have access to the children at any time?

Have all staff been vetted by an Garda Síochána?

Parental Involvement

The service should have a written policy on parental involvement in the setting and the sharing of information with parents. Parents should also be provided with a parent’s handbook containing all the services policies and procedures, mission statement, opening hours, curriculum/programme and relevant fees. A viewing of the entire facility should be provided, prior to you enrolling your child.

Important questions:

What arrangements are in place to facilitate regular information sharing between parents and the child’s key worker?

How can parents become involved in the activities within the setting?

Does the service have a mechanism for reporting the child’s progress to parents?

Are parents provided with daily feedback on their child’s progress and general well-being?

Policies and Procedures

Childcare services are obliged by law to implement a range of up to date policies and procedures, which should be reviewed on a regular basis.

Look for Policies on…………

Administration:

Admissions, Fees and Payment, Collection of Children, Record Keeping, Complaints.

Personnel:

Recruitment, Training, Confidentially, Student Placement.

Health and Safety:

Child Protection, First Aid, Immunisation, Hygiene, Accident Prevention, Fire Safety, Outings, Nappy Changing, Toileting, Head Lice, Child and Staff Illness, Administration of Medication, Cleaning and Checking Equipment and Play Items.

Childcare and Education:

Curriculum, Equipment, Equal Opportunities, Positive Behaviour Management, Language, Bullying.

Partnership with Parents:

Parental Involvement, Settling In, Contacting and Informing Parents

Important questions:

How often are the Policies and

Procedures reviewed?

Staff Training and Qualifications

All staff in a childcare setting are required to have skills, knowledge and attitudes appropriate to their roles and responsibilities within the setting.

Things to look for:

Evidence of staff qualifications/training

A set of key principles/ guidelines staff are subscribing to

A policy on professional development.

Important questions:

Are all staff qualified at FETAC Level 5 or equivalent?

Are all staff working in supervisory positions qualified at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent and/or have relevant experience?

Are staff encouraged to engage in professional development and what opportunities are offered to them?