Overview
The Minimum Standards for Childminding & Day Care for Children Under Age 12 were launched in July 2012.
The Minimum Standards for Childminding & Day Care for Children Under Age 12 which were launched in July 2012 by the Department of Health and will ensure quality childcare for all children and parents who use registered services. For the first time, they mean that all parents and children who use registered child care can expect to receive a consistent minimum standard of care, no matter where they are in Northern Ireland.
The standards will be used by Health and Social Care Trusts to register and inspect childminding and day care services for children under age 12.
Standards
The Standards state that all registered childminders must attend training in 3 core areas:
- Health & Safety
- Child Protection/Safeguarding
- First Aid
Core Training for Childminders
- Health & Safety in a Childminding setting
- Safeguarding Children
To enable NICMA members to become compliant we have developed the training for 2 of the core areas (Health & Safety and Safeguarding Children). This is being delivered at a charge of £25 for NICMA members and £55 for Non Members. This training will be sufficient for you to meet the requirements of registration for 3 years from completion.
First Aid training
The Minimum Standards also require Childminders to hold a 12 hour Paediatric First Aid qualification which needs to be renewed every 3 years. Childminders are responsible themselves for accessing the qualification and to help, NICMA have compiled a list of some First Aid providers who are able to offer this training.
My Childminding Policies
As a requirement within the Minimum Standards, Childminders are required to have appropriate policies in place. NICMA have a range of 29 Policies, a template ‘Statement of Purpose’ and Risk Assessment information available either FREE OF CHARGE as downloads from the MEMBERS AREA of the web site or to purchase (for a nominal fee) as a hard copy from NICMA.