Three years to prepare, This Child Care Plan covers the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2005. The Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis during the 3 years of its life span. Was it ever reviewed?
Sperrin Lakeland Trust (Now named Western Area Health and Social Services Trust.)
April 2002
Child Care Plan
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1. INTRODUCTION
The introduction of “Children First the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy” in 1999 requires each of the 4 Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland to prepare a 3 year Child Care Plan which sets out how the Partnership will plan and deliver childcare services.
This Child Care Plan covers the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2005. The Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis during the 3 years of its life span.
The Plan puts the work of the Child Care Partnership into the context of current childcare needs within the Western Board area and sets targets for the development of services. This is in line with the principles outlined in Children First.
These include:
assessing need;
increasing childcare provision;
making childcare provision more accessible and affordable for all families;
improving quality;
making childcare an attractive career through the development of a training strategy and career structure.
The Plan should complement other Plans such as the Children Services Plan and The Pre-school Education Advisory Group’s Development Plan. During its preparation there was close co-operation with the officers and organisations responsible for the development and implementation of these Plans.
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2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT
There are a number of significant new developments and groups who impact on the work of the Child Care Partnership.
These are:
Political Structures (Programme for Government);
Departmental Policies and Initiatives;
Interdepartmental group on Early Years (IDGEY) and Children First Advisory Forum (CFAF);
Western Area Children and Young Peoples Committee (WACYPC);
Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG);
Cross Border Initiatives.
2.1 Political Structures
The signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the introduction of devolved Government has meant that the Northern Ireland departments are lead by local politicians.
This ensures new levels of accountability to MLA’s and local ministers. Local ministers have shown a keen interest in the workings of their departments with the result that decision-making reflects the needs of the region.
It has given voluntary and community groups the opportunity to lobby ministers and MLA’s on issues which affect their areas. An example of this, which will be outlined in more detail in Chapter 5, was the Fermanagh Early Years Partnership invited local MLA’s to one of their meetings to discuss issues relating to childcare in the county.
As new political structures become imbedded and are seen as an integral part of society, lobbying will become a more central feature of the work of voluntary and community groups. This should give them more influence over decisions which are taken and which affect local communities.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has set out its priorities for the next number of years in a paper entitled “Programme for Government”. In this paper the Assembly outlines where it intends to spend its money and priorities for future funding. Childcare is high on the agenda and, as a result, new initiatives such as Good Practice Networks and the Sure Start programme have already been funded.
The Children's Fund which will be introduced in 2002 will provide additional funding for the childcare sector.
2.2 Departmental Policies and Initiatives
There are a number of policies and initiatives which impact on the Child Care Plan and the Child Care Partnership.
These include:
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The Northern Ireland Assembly proposes to establish a Children’s Commissioner and has consulted widely on the role and remit of the Commissioner.
It is anticipated that the Children’s Commissioner will be appointed during 2002;
A Children’s Strategy will be launched during 2002.
The office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister consulted on a Children’s Strategy.
This will have an overarching effect among the departments who have responsibility for children’s affairs.
It will have an impact on childcare and the delivery of childcare services;
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, through the Family Policy Unit, is developing a new Child Care Strategy.
This will help determine the direction of childcare policies, planning and funding for the foreseeable future.
New Targeting Social Need ensures that the Boards and Trusts target their services at the families and communities which need them most. This is also important for the Child Care Partnership in developing its priorities.
Webmaster Note:(Devoloution was restored in N.I. in May 2007)
Examples include Sure Start and continuation funding for NOF Out of School Clubs which is targeted at the most deprived areas.
It is important that childcare is not seen as a lone service. It must complement other health and education initiatives such as Health Action Zones, Healthy Living Centres and Out of School Learning Initiatives.
Sure Start is a good example of how an integrated approach can benefit the educational, emotional, social and psychological development of young children.
Working in partnership enables agencies (Statutory, Voluntary and Community, health care, social care and educational) to pool their resources so that they complement, not duplicate, each other’s services.
2.3 Inter-departmental group on Early Years and Children First Advisory Forum
The Inter-Departmental Group on Early Years (IDGEY) has representation from the main departments who have responsibility for providing and delivering childcare services.
These include:
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
Department of Education,
Department of Employment
Learning and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
This group takes a lead role in planning policies, consulting with the Early Years sector and liaising with the 4 Child Care Partnerships on how they do their business. The Children First Advisory Forum (CFAF) has representatives from the 4 departments mentioned above.
It also has 2 representatives from each of the Child Care Partnerships, the Chair and one other representative.
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These representatives include PEAG and the voluntary sector. CFAF has responsibility for monitoring the impact and delivery of Children First.
2.4 Children and Young Peoples Committee (CYPC)
The Children and Young Peoples Committee is Chaired by the Director of Social Care, WHSSB. The group includes Senior Managers from the main statutory agencies with responsibility for or an interest in family and childcare.
The voluntary sector is represented by Childcare N.I. At present CYPC’s are considering further representation from the voluntary sector, representation from the community sector and ethnic minorities.
The Child Care Partnership is a sub-group of the Children and Young Peoples Committee and liaises closely with both members of the committee and the Children’s Services Planning Officer, particularly in the development of Childcare and Children’s Services Plans.
2.5 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)
The Pre-school Education Advisory Group is Chaired by the Western Education and Library Board and has an overlap in membership with the Western Area Child Care Partnership.
There is close co-operation between both groups including the sharing of information and the development of respective plans i.e. the Child Care Plan and the Pre-school Education Advisory Group Action Plan 2002 – 2003.
Statistical information on wards, ages and numbers of children, needs indicators and gaps in provision are shared to aid planning. 2.6 Cross Border
Both the Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Southern Area Child Care Partnership have long borders with the Republic of Ireland. Children from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland cross the border to avail of childcare services in the other jurisdiction.
It is essential when planning services that there should be co-operation between the planners on both sides of the border. Although co-operation is still at an early stage there are a number of initiatives and examples of good practice which have already taken place.
These include:
The Cross-border Rural Childcare Project completed its work with a conference in February 2001.
The main messages coming from the Project were:
1. the similarity of problems facing childcare on both sides of the border,
2. a commitment from Departments to promote rural childcare,
3. the importance of communities being able to identify their own childcare needs,
4. the success of the Cross-border Rural Childcare Project,
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5. the 6 childcare facilities which it helped establish and the need for further work and co-operation on cross border rural child care issues.
A planning meeting will be held in 2002 to develop the next phase of the Project.
If applications for funding are successful it is intended to development a rural childcare observatory, not only linking the border corridor between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland but also including the needs of other rural communities in areas such as the Glens of Antrim and the Irish Midlands.
The setting up of North / South political institutions should have a positive impact on co-operation in North / South childcare planning. Meetings between North / South Ministers and Departments will help develop joint planning, joint projects and initiatives and the sharing of best practice from both sides of the border.
The establishment of County Child Care Committees in the Republic of Ireland has created planning structures similar to the Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland.
The County Child Care Committees are developing childcare plans for their particular areas. It is important to ensure co-operation between the Border County Committees and the Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland.
The Child Care Partnership Coordinators in Northern Ireland meet on a regular basis to share information and discuss common issues and concerns.
The Child Care Partnership Coordinators have invited their counterparts in the border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal to meet in April 2002.
This meeting will enable the co-ordinators to discuss issues relevant to both.
Peace II – The introduction of Peace II funding will enable projects along the border corridor to co-operate and develop joint funding bids for crossborder projects.
This, with the other initiatives, will aid co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in developing relationships, joint planning of services and sharing of best practice.
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RESTRUCTURING THE CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP
3.1 Work undertaken to date
In 1999 the National Children’s Bureau was commissioned by the DHSS&PS to work with the 4 Child Care Partnerships to help them restructure to deliver on the recommendations of "Children First".
A number of days were put aside including a residential to undertake this task. The result was a paper entitled “Working in Partnership”. The main recommendations of this were agreed by the Western Area Child Care Partnership and a sub-group was established to implement the proposals. The Partnership at its meeting of 11th December 2001 finalised the restructure.
3.1.1 Structure
The structure of the Partnership will include the following components: Child Care Partnership/Executive Committee which will be the decision making body;
Permanent sub-groups;
Quality Assurance / Quality Development
Strategic Funding Panel;
Information and Strategic Analysis;
Local Early Years Fora – 1 in each district council area;
Short-term Working Groups – to be established to lead on particular pieces of work and will have a lifespan for the work to be undertaken;
Childcare Forum – inclusive body which will meet once or twice per annum with a particular focus or theme, e.g. a conference, consultation on ChildCare Plan.
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Table 1. WACCP Structure
Quality Assurance
Quality Development
Information and Strategic Analysis
Strategic Funding Panel
Child Care Forum
Short Term / Working Reference Groups
Short Term / Working Reference Groups
Limavady Early Years Forum
Derry Early Years Forum
Strabane District Child Care Forum
Omagh District Child Care Network
Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
Child Care Partnership / Executive Committee
3.1.2 Membership
The proposed membership for the different groups is:
Child Care Partnership – WHSSB,
Foyle Trust,
Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,
Westcare,
Children and Young Peoples Committee,
2 Education representatives,
T&EA,
DARD,
3 Voluntary Sector
(NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard),
5 Community Sector nominated through the Local Early Years Fora,
Disability,
Irish Medium,
Integrated Education,
Employers (currently Business in the Community),
District Councils and Parents.
(See appendix II for full list of members)
Quality Assurance and Quality Development (Convener Ms Veronica Baird) –
Westcare, NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard, Private daycare, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, T&EA, Childcare NI, Irish Language, Good Practice Network and Education.
Strategic Funding Panel (Convener Mr Seamus Gunn) –
DEL, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, NIPPA, PlayBoard, NICMA, NICIE, NOF, Local Strategic Partnerships, PEAG, Local Early Years Fora, Business in the Community and Support Workers.
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Information and Strategic Analysis (Convener Mr Eamon McTernan) –
Children and Young Peoples Committee,
Education,
Foyle Trust,
Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,
1 Sure Start Co-ordinator,
Good Practice Network,
Local Strategic Partnership,
NIHE and WHSSB Information Officer.
Local Early Years Fora Membership will be open to anyone working in or with an interest in the early years sector.
They include representatives from the different sectors, different types of provision and have a wide geographical spread. It is also important to encourage representation from ethnic minorities.
Short–term working groups (Chaired by a nominated member of the Child Care Partnership) –
may include representatives from the Partnership and its subgroups and can co-opt members from external organisations and/or individuals with an expertise in the particular subject.
(Chairs of sub-groups and working groups should be members of Child Care Partnership and persons identified will take initial responsibility for convening of the group)
Childcare Forum –
Large Board wide inclusive forum where all voluntary and community sector representatives will have the opportunity to meet.
3.2 Next Steps
3.2.1 Permanent Sub-Groups
The convener of the 3 permanent sub-groups will set up an initial meeting.
Membership will be agreed and where there are gaps in membership organisations will be identified and a letter sent to the Chief Executive Officer/Director seeking a nomination from the organisation.
If the sub-group is already in existence such as the Training Sub-group it will be augmented with additional members and new terms of reference to become the Quality Assurance / Quality Development Sub-group.
3.2.2 Terms of Reference
Each of the groups, as part of their establishment, will develop terms of reference, roles and responsibilities for members and a work programme for the year.
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3.2.3 New Structure Becomes Operational
The new structure should be operational by April 2002 with membership of all groups identified and terms of reference and a work programme developed for each group.
3.2.4 Review of Structure
As part of the ongoing development of the Partnership and its substructure a review of the new working arrangements will take place in March 2003 and any changes or improvements will be implemented.
This will form part of the annual review of the Child Care Plan.
3.3 Conclusion
The process of attempting to restructure the Partnership has been ongoing for some time. The recommendations outlined above reflect the work undertaken in that process.
Although it has been time consuming it is important that the structure reflects the discussions and debates which have taken place. It is essential that all organisations and individuals can sign up to it and it can deliver on Children First and the Child Care Plan.
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4 . CURRENT WORK
The Child Care Partnership is currently involved in a number of initiatives. This work is mainly undertaken through the partnership sub-groups and the local Early Years Fora.
4.1 Restructuring the Child Care Partnership
This has been explained in Chapter 3, however 2 initiatives should be mentioned.
"Children First" recommended that membership of the Child Care Partnerships should include:
"Government Departments,
statutory agencies,
employers,
parents,
voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers".
The WACCP has been exploring ways of involving both employers and parents.
4.1.1 Employers
The WACCP have been working with Business in the Community and PlayBoard in an attempt to involve the business sector.
It has also been in contact with Employers for Childcare in order to move this forward. To date there has been little success however it is planned to establish a working group with representation from the above organisations to develop an action for this initiative.
4.1.2 Parents
The 4 Child Care Partnerships have commissioned the Parents Advice Centre to undertake 2 pilot projects in each Partnership area to identify methods of involving parents on the Partnerships.
A Development Worker has been appointed to undertake this work.
The 2 pilots in the Western area are Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank in Foyle Trust and Omagh in Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
The Development Worker is working with groups of parents in both areas to explore the issues. The Worker will report back to the partnership during the Autumn of 2002 with her findings and recommendations.
In order to learn from this pilot project an external consultant has been appointed to undertake an evaluation of the project.
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4.2 Sub-Groups
Although the final membership of the sub-groups has not been agreed and terms of reference completed, 2 of the 3 permanent sub-groups are currently working.
These are extensions of existing sub-groups of the Area Early Years Committee.
These are the Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group and the Strategic Funding Panel.
4.2.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Development Sub-Group
This group will include members of the Training Sub-committee.
It will be supplemented by additional members and will have a remit for ensuring quality within the sector.
The group will work closely with the Trusts’ Registration and Inspection Teams, the Social Services Inspectorate, the Education and Training Inspectorate, the Good Practice Network and voluntary sector organisations to promote quality assurance.
It will also gather and disseminate information on best practice from within Northern Ireland, the UK and further afield.
It will encourage all childcare organisations and groups to implement existing good practice and to develop policies and procedures to ensure that quality assurance mechanisms are in place within their organisations.
4.2.2 Strategic Funding Panel
The Strategic Funding Panel will be an amalgamation of the existing Partnership selection panels.
These included Childhood Fund,
PlayCare,
New Opportunities Fund,
Early Years Development Fund and Sure Start Selection Panels.
In order to ensure a more joined up approach to the funding streams, which the Partnership has responsibility for assessing and allocating, it was felt that one funding panel should take responsibility for all of these funding initiatives.
More detailed information on each funding source is contained in Chapter 8.
4.3 Working Groups
Working Groups will be short-term and established as and when required. These groups will consider specific pieces of work such as consultation on departmental policies or other documents, reference groups for commissioning research or other specific issues.
At present there are no working groups established by the Child Care Partnership.
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However examples of these in the past included the Sure Start Selection Panel which assessed and made recommendations on which proposals should be funded and the Disability Research Reference Group which advised the researchers on the “Enabling Ability Report.”
These groups will be time limited, they will identify membership from both inside and outside the Partnership with particular expertise in the field that they are dealing with, will have clear Terms of Reference and conclude when the work is completed.
4.4 Local Early Years Fora
During 2001 the fifth local Early Years Fora was established in the Derry City Council Area.
4.4.1 Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
This group was established in 1998 and has a core membership with representation from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors. Following work with Stratagem in 2000, the group has been working on a strategy on lobbying.
This has included:
writing to all the political parties asking for a copy of their Childcare policies
during the elections contacting the candidates to ensure that Childcare was put on the agenda
inviting the MLA’s from Co. Fermanagh to a meeting with members of the Partnership to ensure that they heard the childcare issues and problems facing communities, families and children in the Fermanagh area.
4.4.2 Limavady Early Years Forum
This group was also established in 1998 and has representatives from all childcare sectors. During 2001 it arranged a number of study visits.
The first of these was to the Reggio Emilia conference in England. Members of the group went to the conference and, as a result of making contacts there, invited a number of people from the Reggio Emilia Centre in Birmingham to present a seminar on their work to childcare representatives within the Limavady District Council area.
Due to a wide interest from outside the Council area childcare representatives from other district were also invited.
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The second visit was the World Childcare Conference in Athens where 2 representatives of the group attended.
They brought back papers and information on examples of provision and best practice from different countries and made contacts with a number of other delegates.
The advantage of such visits is that members have the opportunity to see and experience best practice from other parts of the world and, through networking, can invite members back to present their work to other people within the Limavady District Council Area.
4.4.3 Strabane and District Early Years Forum
This group has been slow to develop however, some members from the Strabane District Council area have been attending the Omagh District Child Care Network meetings.
In order to help the group develop information sessions and a recruitment campaign will take place during 2002.
4.4.4 Omagh District Child Care Network
This group was established in 2000 and has developed a solid core membership with representatives from the different childcare sectors in the Omagh District Council Area.
The group have made contact with members of the District Council and the Local Strategic Partnership and are developing a proposal to the Local Strategic Partnership for funding for a training programme for Early Years providers.
4.4.5 Derry City Council Area Early Years Forum
This group was established in the Autumn of 2001 and has good representation from the different childcare sectors, the different areas of the District Council and different types of provision.
4.5 Good Practice Network
The Good Practice Network aims to address the following areas for Early Years providers in the Limavady Borough Council Area, and for the children’s parents who use their services.
Develop Quality Standards of Early Years Services
Improve information, which will include information for parents on services available in the area
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Promote parenting Education Board support programmes through the provision of Training and Development of the DELTA Model to improve early language development
The Network aims to address these issues in a pro-active and innovative manner through a mixture of support, research, promotion and linking of services.
To enable this there are currently 2 members of staff in place and I.T. systems have been set up.
4.5.1 Develop Quality Standards
The first of the Network's conferences “Quality is in the eye of the beholder” took place on 17th October 2001.
This was a valuable exercise and is the beginning of an ongoing process to enable the Network to assist member organisations improve their quality standards, thus improving the quality of services for users.
The Network is currently working with WELB to offer members organisations an opportunity to go for an EEL accreditation.
4.5.2 Out of Schools Provision
Out of Schools Provision is a major gap within the area. To this end the Network was successful in a consortium application to the New Opportunities Fund.
A total of 5 groups were included, 2 of them private providers, with approximately 200 new Out of School places created.
4.5.3 Improve Information
A website has been developed and all members details are included on the site to allow parents to access this information.
The site also provides up to date information on Government policy, Quality Standards and up and coming events.
It is the Network's intention to develop the site further. This website will have a link with the WACCP webite.
There are currently 122 members on the Network database who each receive a regular newsletter with interesting information and updates.
An audit of existing services/providers and their needs is ongoing.
It is hoped that this will paint a picture of where the gaps exist and how best to fill them.
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4.5.4 Resource Library
The library is well resourced with relevant books, journals, articles, and videos.
4.5.5 Promote Parenting Education & Support
A total of 12 Network members have successfully completed DELTA training which was offered across the Limavady Borough Council area.
Other training events, including 2 x 2½ hour Child Observation Course which was purchased from NIPPA on behalf of members.
4.6 Sure Start
The 4 Sure Start projects funded under Round 1 Grants are now well established and have fully operational programmes.
They have appointed their staff teams who are delivering the programme to local families and children from 0-3years in their designated areas.
All 4 projects have had official launches which has enabled them to inform local professionals and parents of the work of the project.
The 4 Round 1 projects are Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank, Cherish in Irvinestown, Dungiven and Strabane.
In the second round 2 further projects have been approved. The first of these is in Shantallow and is managed differently from the other Sure Start projects.
It has a management committee consisting of the Resource Centre Derry (RCD) and Foyle Trust.
They have developed a programme which will be delivered by commissioning services from a range of agencies working in the Shantallow area.
Examples of these include Lifestart and Derry Travellers Support Group.
Because they are commissioning services, they have a smaller staff team than the other projects however, it was felt that this method was the best way of delivering the Sure Start programme to the area.
The final Sure Start project will be based in the Lisanelly and Strathroy areas of Omagh.
This proposal has been approved by the Child Care Partnership and the DHSSPS.
They will recruit a Sure Start Co-ordinator and other staff and it is anticipated that the project will begin in April 2002.
During 2001 the DHSSPS consulted on how they would evaluate the Sure Start projects. This included identifying what baseline data is needed for the projects in order for the evaluation to take place.
Other forms of monitoring include quarterly financial returns, a quarterly progress report and statistical information on contact with families and children. The qualitative and quantitative information which is being gathered by both 16
the DHSSPS and the Child Care Partnership plus the evaluations of the project will ensure that the programme and services provided by the 6 projects meet the needs of families and children in their area.
The first phase of funding for Sure Start will finish on 31 March 2003 however, it is anticipated that further funding from the DHSSPS will be available after that date.
4.7 Enabling Ability Research
The Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Disability Sub-group of the Children and Young Peoples Committee commissioned research into the needs of families and children with a disability in the Western Board area.
This research has been completed with two documents.
The first is a substantial research document which will have limited circulation but can be used for reference purposes.
The second is an enhanced Executive Summary including all the findings and recommendations of the research entitled “Enabling Ability”.
During 2001 the Disability Sub-group developed a draft strategy for children with a disability in the Western board and consulted widely on this.
It is planned to launch the strategy and the “Enabling Ability” research jointly in the Spring of 2002.
These 2 initiatives will be the basis for the planning and implementation of services for children with a disability and their families in the Western Board area.
There are a number of recommendations recommended in the Enabling Ability Report which are directly relevant to the Early Years Child Care Field.
These include:
Recommendation No.2
“Provide parents and service providers with the necessary information on conditions and services to enable them to best support children with disabilities. One method would be through the development of service directories.”
Recommendation No.4
“Services should be planned to take account of the needs of the whole family.”
Recommendation No.5
“Services should be an integral part of mainstream services for children.”
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Recommendation No.6
“A range of services should be accessible locally.”
Recommendation No.8
“Review existing respite care options which are available and encourage the development of flexible services.”
Recommendation No.12
“Service provision should be designed and developed with the active involvement of children and their families.”
Recommendation No.13
“Monitor and evaluate the quality of services, including using consumer representatives in a meaningful way.”
Recommendation No.16
“There should be active collaboration and coordination of services between and across all provider agencies.”
Recommendation No.17
“Strengthen the links between Health and Social Services, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Education and Library Boards.”
These recommendations need to be considered with the Strategy for Children with a Disability and the planning of future services and provision for children with a disability and their family needs to take them into account.
Copies of the “Enabling Ability” research document can be obtained from
Mr Colm Elliott, Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator,
Western Health and Social Services Board,
15 Gransha Park,
Clooney Road, Derry,
BT47 6 FN,
Telephone 02871 86 00 86
or
elliottc@whssb.n-i.nhs.uk.
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5 . INFORMATION
5.1 Demographic and Labour Market Data
The Partnership’s catchment area encompasses the district council areas of Limavady, Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Fermanagh.
The Western area has a population of 282,000 over an area of almost 5,000 sq kms from Limavady in the North to Enniskillen in the South.
Table 2.
Map of Western Board showing under-18 population by district council
• The district includes large urban areas including Northern Ireland’s second largest city together with some of the most remote rural areas.
The WHSSB’s Area is a border region with the North Western Health Board servicing the population further to the West in Donegal.
• Levels of deprivation, both rural and urban are amongst the worst in Northern Ireland as confirmed by the recent Measure of Deprivation Report, 2001.
The population of the the Western Board has more young and fewer old people than the Northern Ireland averages Limavady Council Area <18 Population - 9,484
Strabane Council Area <18 Population - 10,879
Derry Council Area <18 Population - 33,865
Omagh Council Area <18 Population - 14,318
Fermanagh Council Area <18 Population - 16,364
Limavady
Dungiven
Omagh
Irvinestown
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Strabane
Castlederg
Londonderry
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5.2 Population of Children/Young People in the West
5.2.1 Under 18 Population of the District Councils within WHSSB
Based on mid-year estimates supplied by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency a further breakdown of the population of children and young people in the Western Area is set out below.
Table 3.
Number of children within each age range by district council Age Band Fermanagh Limavady Derry Omagh Strabane Total
0-4 4,040 2,355 8,785 3,440 2,898 21,518
5-9 4,391 2,674 9,251 3,810 2,801 22,927
10-14 4,921 2,818 9,860 4,348 3,225 25,172
15-17 3,012 1,637 5,969 2,720 1,955 15,293
Total 0-14 13,352 7,847 27,896 11,598 8,924 69,617
Total <18 16,364 9,484 33,865 14,318 10,879 84,910
Source: NISRA Mid-Year Estimates, 2000
The Western Area has a higher than average proportion of its population under the age of 18, 30% compared with the Northern Ireland average of 27.1%.
The percentage of young people varies within each council area with Derry Council area having the highest (31.7%) See table below.
Table 4.
Percentage of Population Under 18 by Council Area.
Council Derry Limavady Strabane Omagh Fermanagh
% under 18 31.7% 29.8% 28.8% 30% 28.4%
The 1991 Census provides a more detailed breakdown of the numbers of children at smaller geographical areas (electoral wards).
The figures from the Census are however out of date and data from the 2001 Census will not be available until 2003.
In order to estimate the numbers of 0-14 at ward level, estimates have been given in Appendix IV based on the numbers of children aged 0-14 in receipt of child benefit.
5.2.2 Population Trends
While the population as a whole will continue to increase over the coming years the number of children under 18 is decreasing in all Boards. Between 1998 and 2013 NISRA project a 12% decrease in the population of children across Northern Ireland.
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The Western Board area will however have the lowest decrease of 8.42% over this same time period.
Table 5.
Mid Year Population Estimates for children 0-14 years during 1990’s
Age Band 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
0-4 24410 23902 23466 23038 22505 22438 22237 22125 21940
5-9 25311 25451 25372 25132 24915 24686 24206 23833 23395
10-14 24850 25111 25405 25670 25409 25495 25664 25613 25349
Within the Western Board local government districts the largest decrease in he number of children (1998 – 2013) is projected to be in the Omagh District (15.66%) with the lowest decrease in Strabane (5.51%).
Over the same period Derry city council area is projected to have the largest increase in the number of people of working age and the WHSSB will have the highest increase among the 4 Boards.
Table 6.
The graph illustrates the ongoing decrease in the child population within the Western area.
This continuing decrease will impact upon planning for the provision of early years services.
It is important, particularly with limited resources, that the services are targeted at areas where children need them.
It is inevitable that there will be displacement of existing services as the under 14 population decreases.
5.3 Deprivation within the Western Area
It is possible to identify the areas of highest deprivation with WHSSB from information, which is currently available such as the Noble Index.
Under 18 Population Change 1991 - 2000
19000
20000
21000
22000
23000
24000
25000
26000
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
0-4
5-9
10-14
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This information will be supplemented over the coming years with data from a number of sources.
These include rural indicators being developed by the Rural Development Council and from the Census data which is due to be published in 2003.
5.4 Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland 2001
The Robson Index of Deprivation highlighted areas of high deprivation across Northern Ireland.
This analysis has been updated by the recently published Northern Ireland Measures of Deprivation Report (Noble), which was published in June 2001.
The Noble Report provides a ward by ward analysis of deprivation across a number of domains.
The measures of deprivation are based on the premise that multiple deprivation is made up of separate dimensions, or “domains” of deprivation.
These domains reflect different aspects of deprivation.
Each domain is made up of a number of indicators, which cover aspects of this deprivation as comprehensively as possible.
Deprivation is measured using the following domains:
Income (and Child Poverty Index)
Employment
Health Deprivation and Disability
Education, Skills and Training
Geographical Access to Services
Social Environment and Housing
Each electoral ward is ranked on the basis of deprivation (for example a ward with a rank of 1 will represent the most deprived, while a ward with a rank of 566 will be the least deprived.
The Noble Index is based on the old electoral ward boundaries, which were in place at the time of the 1991 Census.
These boundaries were re-drawn in 1992. Examples of some of the domains used in the study are set out below.
5.4.1 Multiple Deprivation Measure
This measure incorporates the rankings from all the different domains and gives an overall rank for each ward.
A weighting is given for each of the different domains to arrive at the overall rank.
(See Map Appendix V - The top 33 deprived wards - MDM in WHSSB).
There are 33 wards from the Western Area in the overall 100 most deprived wards in NI. A full list of the Western Area wards and their multiple deprivation measure ranks are set out in Appendix V.
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5.4.2 Child Poverty Index (subset of Income Domain)
This Index ranks wards based on the number of dependants living in households claiming a number of means tested benefits (such as Income Support, Job Seekers allowance).
The Index clearly demonstrates a high level of Child Poverty within the West.
The 3 most deprived wards in Northern Ireland in relation to child poverty are located in urban areas of Derry City. A full list of Western Area wards and their ranks are set out in Appendix V (See Map - The top 33 deprived wards – Child Poverty in WHSSB)
5.4.3 Geographical Access to Services
This Index ranks wards based on their proximity to a range of services such as a post office, GP surgery, Accident and Emergency Hospital, dentist etc).
As expected the rural areas of Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh score highly (most deprived).
Rural wards within the Western area account for 6 of the 10 most deprived wards within Northern Ireland. A full list of Western Area wards are set out in Appendix V (See Map - The top 33 deprived wards - access in WHSSB)
The Noble Indicators are important in providing an analysis of deprivation across Northern Ireland.
A further piece of research is also currently underway which will provide more information on demography, economic structure and social activity of rural areas.
The Rural Development Council are undertaking a Rural Baselining Initiative.
The project will examine indicators such as:
demographic composition and change,
housing and property,
sense of community and community life and
availability of services and activities.
This study will provide a useful indication of levels of deprivation in rural areas of the Western Board.
In order to plan effectively and equitably it is essential to use all available data. The Nobel Indicators and the RDC research will complement each other and will help to ensure services are targeted at both urban and rural areas.
5.5 Rurality
The Western Board is the most rural of the 4 Boards which creates many additional problems when planning and delivering services.
These include:
Access to services even when they are available
Transport problems (a poor road system, lack of public transport, practically no railway system within the area and lack of access to privates cars)
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Considerable distances between the main towns in the area
The additional cost incurred in providing services to isolated areas.
Families and children living in isolated rural communities are often the ones who require the services most, yet cannot access them.
This is extremely important when planning services particularly in relation to equality of opportunity and targeting social need.
Children First states:
"The Government wants to ensure that a range of good quality childcare is available in every community…."
The Cross-border Rural Child Care Project provided examples of how communities could develop services to meet their own particular needs.
Examples of best practice can be learnt from this project and used as part of the planning framework for rural childcare services.
5.6 Other Issues
5.6.1 Information Officer
The Partnership has appointed an information officer with a remit to support the information requirements of the Partnership.
The information officer will develop and maintain a website on behalf of the Partnership and support the local Sure Start projects in addition to meeting the information requirements of Children’s Planning processes.
5.6.2. Website
The Childcare Partnership is in the process of developing a website, which will make information more accessible to the public. The site will hold details of all early years provision in the Western Area including day nurseries, crèches, playgroups etc.
In addition a range of other information will be provided including background to the childcare partnership,
useful statistics,
links to other childcare websites and publications which can be downloaded.
The address for the website is www.childcare-west.org
5.6.3 Information Leaflet
The Child Care Partnership has developed an information leaflet which informs on:
Membership
Purpose
Key tasks
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Funding
Achievements 2001-02
Contact details.
This leaflet will be available to any individual or organisation working within the sector or with an interest in childcare.
5.6.4 Newsheet
The partnership, as a means of keeping organisations and individuals informed will develop a quarterly newsheet for dissemination. The content will include information on:
The Partnership and its work
Examples of work undertaken by providers
Examples of best practice
New policies
Upcoming events, conferences, training etc.
5.6.5 Consultation
The Partnership will continue to develop mechanisms for consultation on a range of issues including the Child Care Plan and its Reviews, new Government initiatives and policies, funding and general topics relating to childcare.
5.6.6 Representation on Groups
As the new structure of the Partnership develops representation on all sub-committees, local early years fora and short-term working groups will be sought and encouraged from individuals who have an interest or expertise in the relevant subject matter.
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6 ASSESSMENT OF NEED
6.1 Current Levels of Child Care Provision
This section aims to identify the current levels and location of early years provision across the WHSSB’s area.
Information is provided for the following groups:
Crèches
Day Nurseries
Playgroups
Out of School Clubs
Childminders
The information provided on day nurseries, playgroups, out of school clubs and childminders will be more robust as registration with the local Trust is compulsory.
Registration of crèches is currently at a very early stage the data will not therefore reflect the true number of these groups providing a service.
Further information on the provision of statutory nursery places at lower geographical areas is available from WELB.
In order to estimate the current levels of childcare provision within WHSSB,
information has been drawn from a number of sources:
Information on childcare facilities registered with Foyle and Sperrin/ Lakeland Trusts, and
Information supplied by the WELB on PEAG funded statutory nursery places.
The Trust also publishes Article 20 reviews which give more details on services. More detailed information on services can be obtained from the Article 20 Reviews.
6.1.1 Crèches
A crèche provides play opportunities for a short period of time (usually 2 hours) during the day while parents either shop, undertake a leisure activity or attend a training course.
As mentioned above the process of registration of crèches is at an early stage. Information on the total number of places is therefore not yet available.
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The table below lists the crèches, which are currently registered across the Board’s area. Table 7. Crèches in WHSSB area.
WHSSB No of Crèches (registered)
Derry 20
Strabane 1
Limavady 6
Omagh 4
Fermanagh 1
6.1.2 Day Nurseries
Day Nurseries provide full day care for the length of the working day (max 9 hours) for children under 5 whose parents are working or for other reasons require this facility.
An analysis of the location of day nursery places is set out in Table 8.
It is clear that there is under provision of day nurseries in the Strabane locality.
In addition there are a significant number of rural wards with little or no day nursery provision.
6.1.3 Playgroups
Playgroups provide sessional daycare for children aged 3 – school going age for usually 2.5 hours per day to a maximum of 4 hours.
An analysis is provided in Table 8 of the number of playgroup places by locality across the Western Area. From the information provided it is clear that Strabane and Derry have the lowest number of places per 1000 of the population.
6.1.4 Out of School Groups
Out of School groups provide a care setting usually for 2 - 3 hours after school, where children are cared for by adults, where the parent is not available.
Other forms of Out of School provision include breakfast clubs, wraparound services and summer schemes.
The number of Out of School places has been continuing to rise over the past number of years.
Out of School services began with a very low baseline, however, the numbers have risen significantly due mainly to funding from Playcare and NOF. Derry Locality currently 27
has the lowest number of Out of School places per 1000 of the population.
6.1.5 Naiscoil
There has been continuing development in the number of Naiscoil (Irish medium) places available over the past number of years.
The figures for Naiscoil are included in the playgroup and out of school analysis.
6.1.6 Childminders
Childminders provide full daycare for children under school age and sessional care for school going children.
There are 455 registered childminders across the WHSSB’s area with the highest rate per 1000 places being in the Limavady area.
There are also a high number of unregistered childminders, normally grandparents or aunts.
The Trust and NICMA are constantly encouraging all childminders to become registered.
6.1.7 Home Base Services
A number of organisations and programmes provide a range of services to families within their own homes.
These include Lifestart, Homestart and Health Visiting.
These services provide alternative services to meet the needs of families and young children and are complementary to other centre based provision.
This home based work has been further developed within the Sure Start projects and has made a significant contribution not only to the Sure Start Programme, but to the availability of choice for families.
Home based programmes often don’t receive the recognition they deserve for the excellent work they have undertaken.
They are neglected when allocating grants and funding because they cannot easily be categorised.
It is essential that this is addressed to ensure that they receive an equitable share of funding and recognition for their work.
They have on many occasions led the way in “monitoring and evaluating” their work.
This good practice could be replicated in other areas of childcare practice.
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The Partnership recognised the contribution they have made and will ensure that they have access to equitable resources for their programme.
6.2 Mapping of Provision
Provision of playgroup, day nursery and out of school groups has been made available at ward cluster areas (see Table 8)
This mapping exercise is based on the postcode of each of the groups.
This lower level information when mapped together with the data provided in the Noble Report will assist in the process of identifying both areas of highest need and gaps in current provision.
Information is also provided at locality level across the Board.
These profiles provide a breakdown of early provision across the 5 localities within the Western Area. (See Appendix III)
6.3 Identifying gaps in provision at smaller Geographical Areas
The table below illustrates how it will be possible to begin the process of identifying areas where there is under-provision of early years services.
The table maps the provision of day nursery, out of school and playgroup places by ward clusters.
The ward clusters are homogenous areas as identified by the Western Education and Library Board.
This process is important as there is continuing expansion to housing developments especially in urban areas.
The use of a geographical information system will assist the process of identifying those areas with high populations of young people and limited or no provision.
This information is based on early years places which are registered with the local health and Social Services Trusts.
A further analysis of PEEP funded funded nursery places is available in the Pre-School Education Advisory Group’s Annual Report (December 2001).
Table 8. Early Years provision by Electoral Ward Clusters DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA
WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Places
Day Nursery Places
DERRY C''VAGH,F'SPRINGS,S'TOWN 96 38
ENAGH(DERRY)/EGLINTON 81 16 62
NEW BUILDINGS 48 30
CLAUDY 24 20
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ALTNAGELVIN 24 40 30
CULMORE 12 8 42
BANAGHER 48
BRANDYWELL,DIAMOND 63 45
HOLLY MOUNT 20
C'HILL,P'BURN,S.EAST,BALLYNASHALLOG 126
BEECHWOOD,C.CENTRAL,C.SOUTH,ROSEMOUNT,STRAND,
WESTLAND 133 64 63
SHANTALLOW WEST 72
C'DERMOT,EBRINGTON,LISNAGELVIN,
VICTORIA,CAW,KILFENNAN 162
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
LIMAVADY GREYSTEEL 24
COOLESSAN,ENAGH(LIM),GREYSTONE,RATHBRADY,ROESIDE 71 44
FOREST AGHANLOO 24 43
DUNGIVEN,UPPER GLENSHANE,HIGHLANDS,FEENY 210 16 30
MAGILLIGAN 24
BALLYKELLY/GLACK 88 56
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Places
Day Nursery Places
FERMANAGH
BALLINAMALLARD,
LISNARRICK,
IRVINESTOWN 116 40 122
KESH,EDERNEY AND LACK 22 24
CASTLECOOLE,ERNE,DEVENISH,PORTORA,ROSSORRY 140 24 45
DERRYGONNELLY 40
BELCOO AND GARRISON 46
TEMPO 24
FLORENCE COURT AND KINAWLEY 22 22
MAGUIRESBRIDGE 24
LISBELLAW 32 20
DONAGH 24
BOHO, CLEENISH AND LETTERBREEN 54 16
NEWTOWNBUTLER 22 20
DERRYLIN 26 24
BELLEEK AND BOA 24 50
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LISNASKEA 20 16
ROSSLEA 24
BROOKEBOROUGH 20
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
OMAGH COOLNAGARD,DERGMONEY,GORTRUSH,LISANELLY,STRUL
E,K'CLOGHER,DRUMRAGH,CAMOWEN 206 92 77
DRUMNAKILLY,TERMON 48 46
BERAGH,SIXMILECROSS 54 48 20
OWENKILLEW,GORTIN 90 16
TRILLICK 18 16 33
DRUMQUIN 24
DROMORE 26
FAIRY WATER 16
NEWTOWNSAVILLE 42
CLANABOGAN 20
FINTONA 48
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
STRABANE ARTIGARVAN,SLIEVEKIRK 48 24
BALLYCOLMAN,EAST,NORTH,SOUTH,WEST 103 16
NEWTOWNSTEWART 26
FINN,SION MILLS,VICTORIA BRIDGE 72
DUNNAMANAGH 33 25
CASTLEDERG,CLARE,GLENDERG 74 72
PLUMBRIDGE 24
The Partnership and the early years teams will analyse further the information contained in the above tables and will match this against the number of children in the different age groups in each ward.
This will help the Partnership prioritise and target services to the areas which need them most.
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7.QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
One of the central principles of "Children First" is the development of high quality childcare services.
It states "The Government wants to ensure that all childcare is of good quality so that it meets children's development needs and parents can have confidence in it."
The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance/Quality Development Sub-group, intends to develop a strategy/action plan which will help improve the already high standards within the childcare sector in the Western Board area.
Some of this work is ongoing and will be continued and developed further and new initiatives will be introduced.
7.1 Training
In autumn 1998 the first phase of the Training Bursary Initiative from the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) became operational.
This initiative was delivered through the Western Area Early Years Committee and co-ordinated through the WAEYC Training Sub Group who recruited a NVQ/Training Co-ordinator to oversee the project.
With support from the WHSSB Training Team the WAEYC were able to facilitate the training needs of a high percentage of practitioners in the childcare sector wishing to access funding to attain a qualification.
The funding from SSI focused on NVQ levels II and III, while the additional funds were allocated to a variety of other qualifications.
The second phase of the initiative began in September 1999 with funding from the Social Services Training Team, an allocation from the Childhood Fund and funding from SSI. All of this work was co-ordinated through the Training Sub Group.
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Table 9 below gives a breakdown of the grants awarded.
Western Health & Social Services Board Training Bursaries Initiative
September 1998 to September 2000
SPERRIN LAKELAND FOYLE TRUST
SECTOR EY
II
EY
III
PW
II
PW
III
BA (Hons)
D32/
D33
UKU High Scop e
EY
II
EY
III
PW
II
PW
III
High Scope
BTECH
EY
HNC D32/
D33
Totals
Childminders 5 11 - - - - - 11 4 - - - - - 1 32
Playgroup - 10 3 2 - 10 - - 1 - - 26
Statutory - 2 - - - - 2 2 5 8 1 - 20
Creche - 3 - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - 7
Private - 3 - - - - - - - 7 - - - - - - 10
Out Of School 9 5 - - - - 3 - 2 2 - - - - 21
TOTALS 5 29 9 5 3 2 2 2 14 25 2 2 5 9 1 - 116
SPERRIN LAKELAND = 57 FOYLE TRUST = 59
The Bursary initiative is now drawing to a close and all monies allocated have been spent and the majority of funded candidates have completed their qualifications.
A full evaluation of the project can be obtained from the WACCP report “Vocational Qualifications in Early Years Care and Education and Playwork” available from the Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator or on the WACCP's website.
Strong relationships have been built up with the Training Providers to ensure that the courses and training they provide meets the standards required by the Childcare Sector.
The Training Sub-committee has developed a Directory of Training Providers which is available from the Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator or the website.
The work initiated through the Training Bursary Project has raised the profile of the childcare both within the sector and with policy makers. Major benefits in terms of additional training bursaries and the Training Strategy have resulted, but more work is required.
The Partnership in April 2000 recognised the need to regularly review its strategy in relation to the needs of children and their families.
The development of a quality childcare sector plays a major part in this strategy. The remit of the Training Sub-committee will change from specifically training orientated to Quality Assurance and Development.
This change will reflect the outcomes of the original project and the need to ensure that training contributes to a broader developmental process for practitioners, groups and the children and families using them.
The group will require the development of a set of policies and procedures to overarch the work to be undertaken.
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It is essential that any funding available be utilized in the most effective manner possible.
Links with funding bodies will be essential to avoid duplication and waste. The links to current national and international strategies will also be essential to ensure that the overall outcomes provide a blanket of quality services.
Table 10 below outlines current funding available for Childcare Training.
The Bursary scheme is one of the most successful projects undertaken by the Partnership. There is now a workforce trained to recommended levels, however it is essential to build on this.
The next training phase will include:
Maintenance of the workforce at least to the recommended levels:
Training of staff to NVQ IV and Degree Level;
Identifying specialist training including work with children with special needs, child protection and first aid;
Capacity building with management committees;
Specialist training for staff working in Sure Start projects.
If the successes already achieved are to be maintained it is essential for the Partnership to develop a long-term training strategy including identifying future funding sources.
7.2 Good Practice Network
The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group will build on the links it has with the Good Practice Network.
It will continue to share best practice and Available Data on Current Funding in Early Years Care & Education February 2002
EDUCATION BOARD
21% EMPLOYER
4% SELF
4% OTHER
50% ESF
2% NEW DEAL
3% JOBSKILLS
7% WORKTRACK
3% ENTERPRISE
ULSTER 4% DEL
2% ILA
0%
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disseminate this information, not only to the Limavady District Council Area but to all areas within the Western Board. The Partnership will also make contact with the other 2 Good Practice Networks within Northern Ireland to learn from their models of best practice.
7.3 Registration and inspection
There are 2 main bodies who are responsible for the registration and inspection of childcare provision.
These are the Early years Teams within the Trusts and the Education and Training Inspectorate. The role of the Trusts Early Years Teams is to register all childcare facilities and to inspect them regularly to ensure they continue to meet the quality standards which have been set.
It is important to acknowledge that the standards set by the Early Years Teams is the minimum requirement and all groups are encouraged to aim for higher standards within their settings.
The Education and Training Inspectorate inspect pre-school providers (statutory, voluntary and private) who are part of the Pre-school Education expansion Programme.
Inspections or visits are also made to providers who are in accredited programmes such as High Scope and Effective Early Learning. This can result in providers receiving advice from 3 different sources and in a small percentage of cases this advice can be contradictory. A series of meetings have been arranged between the different agencies to try to co-ordinate the expectations of the inspecting agencies.
It is important to note that with new funding streams creating a range of new provision all of which has to be registered and inspected by the Trusts Early Years Teams an additional burden has been placed upon them with the result that they are finding it difficult to meet their statutory requirements. This should be considered as part of the review of resources.
7.4 Accreditation of Early Years Services
One of the most effective methods of improving quality standards is to encourage providers to have their services accredited.
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Umbrella Organisations such as NIPPA have an accreditation process for member groups.
Throughout the process of assessment, which entails meeting Benchmark Standards, groups are supported by their NIPPA Advisors.
NIPPA also promotes quality programmes such as Highscope, Effective Early Learning and the Reggio Emelia approach to learning.
7.5 Monitoring and evaluation
Much work has been undertaken recently on monitoring and evaluating projects and their practice.
This has been particularly significant within the Sure Start projects which have included a range of models of monitoring and evaluation to help ensure high quality services.
The Child Care Partnership in co-operation with the statutory and voluntary sectors will promote monitoring and evaluation of all services as a method of improving quality provision.
This will be in addition to the registration and inspection processes undertaken by the Trusts and the Education and Training Inspectorate.
7.6 Other developments
As part of the strategy/action plan the Partnership will develop other initiatives.
These will include:
Funding/planning pilot projects to improve quality standards;
Sharing and learning from best practice locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
Attending conferences, seminars and workshops;
Exchange visits.
The importance of improving quality standards cannot be overestimated therefore the Partnership intends to invest heavily both financially and with other available resources in this area of work.
February 2002
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8 FUNDING
During the last 5 years significant amounts of funding have been put into the Childcare Sector from a range of different funders.
This funding has included capital, staffing, revenue and training. This has eased the burden on organisations who, before that, spent a high percentage of their time in fundraising exercises.
A lot of energy was put into small fundraising schemes such as jumble sales and raffles with only minimum returns from these ventures. The result of Peace and Reconciliation Funding from the European Union and other sources has meant that groups can now concentrate their time and energy into providing a quality programme for the children who use their services.
With additional funding there also comes more accountability. This has meant that groups now have to keep very precise and up to date records of all financial transactions and return these to the funders at the end of the financial year.
The Partnership has recognised that this has been a problem for many management committees who do not have the capacity to undertake this work.
It is therefore essential that training is provided for members of management committees to ensure that they are properly skilled in financial accountability.
The main sources of funding for the child care sector are outlined below.
8.1 Childhood Fund
Under Peace I NIPPA has played a central role in the delivery of this major European Union investment, the Childhood Fund brought a much-needed injection of revenue and capital funding.
In total under the first round of Peace funding, 277 projects within the Western Board Area have received funding.
Over the lifespan of the programme the Childhood Fund awarded £ 4,329,926 within the Area, broken down as follows:
Table 11. Childhood Fund grants
Type of funding Number of projects Amount
Revenue 259 3,102,089
Capital 18 1,227,837
Total 277 4,329,926
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Awards were made to projects for an array of activities which ranged from revenue grants towards running costs, training and much need salary costs, to major capital awards for, outdoor play areas, renovation of existing buildings as well as numerous new buildings within the area.
The first round of Peace funding built a strong foundation, whilst Peace II provides the sector with opportunities to develop what has been achieved to date and continue the process of building a vibrant early years infrastructure which meets the needs of children, parents and communities in Northern Ireland.
Under Peace II arrangements, NIPPA have again been selected to deliver two actions through the Peace II programme, listed under Priority 2 Social Inclusion and Integration, which is delivered under two headings:
Measure 2.5 Investing in childcare
Measure 2.8 Accompanying Infrastructure and Equipment Support
As a result £9 million will be made available to enhance and develop high quality community based early years services and promote intervention as an effective means of combating educational underachievement, poverty and social exclusion.
Peace II provides opportunities for Northern Irelands Youngest Citizens, their families and communities to come together, to develop Peace and address the legacy of the past conflict.
For information on Peace II funding, visit the NIPPA and European
Structural Funds website at:
www.nippa.org
www.eugrants.org
8.2 Play Care
PlayClubs funded under Peace I continued to operate during 2001. Of the 19 clubs funded, 3 were awarded GAP funding of varying time spans.
All groups in receipt of Peace I funding completed their claims in July 2001.
The table below shows the funding order measures 1.3 and 1.4.
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Table 12. Playcare measures 1.3 and 1.4.
1.3 1.4
Awarded £822,928.09 £88,038.04
Allocated £795,870.12 £86,908.04
All clubs were supported to look at their sustainability and exit strategies.
Most clubs applied to the New Opportunity Fund and 16 were successful in obtaining further funding. Some clubs have now been awarded continuation funding for Year 2 and 3.
Clubs were also supported in building up their capacity through revising fees and linking with government in initiatives such as Working Family Tax Credit.
The PlayCare Development Officer continues to work with PlayClubs and Local Government Agencies, Social Services and Local Development Associations.
PlayBoard have once again been awarded as an Intermediary Funding Body (IFB) for Peace II.
PlayBoard will be involved in the administration of £3m to PlayClubs over the next 4 years.
Funding allocation comes under the 1.5 funding “Positive Action for Women”. This funding will be allocated in two rounds.
The call for applications opened in Jan 2002 and closed on 11 Feb 2002.
Funding is available to all existing Play Clubs and to communities wishing to open new clubs. The table below outlines the funding for sustaining PlayClubs funded under Peace I and the allocation for new projects under Peace II for each Partnership area.
Table 13.
Peace II funding for Playcare per Partnership.
Board Area 20% of allocation for new projects
80% for sustaining clubs from Peace I Total
EHSSB 37% £111,000 £444,000 £555,000
WHSSB 22% £66,000 £264,000 £330,000
NHSSB 21% £63,000 £252,000 £315,000
SHSSB 20% £60,000 £240,000 £300,000
TOTAL £300,000 £1,200,000 £1,500,000
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8.3 New Opportunities Fund (NOF)
The New Opportunities Fund was established as a lottery distributor in 1999 with £9.9 million available for out of school hours childcare across Northern Ireland.
The Western Area Child Care Partnership has an allocation of 22% of this figure which is approximately £2million. A total of 2,264 places were to be created with this funding.
There are 2 routes for applications.
These are single route applications capped at a maximum award of £50,000 and a consortium route with no ceiling but based on unit cost of approximately £550 per place.
In order to deliver this programme, the Partnership funded a development worker from EYDF which was managed by PlayBoard.
The role of the development worker is to:
Assist the Child Care Partnership in developing and implementing a local strategy for out of school hours child care
Identify need within local communities for out of school provision linked to NOF target areas
Contribute to and make use of a mapping system to effectively use NOF resources in Northern Ireland
Support, advise and develop local communities with an interest in applying to NOF
Promote the concept of integrated provision of play, care and education and develop demonstration models of excellence
Identify the training and developing needs of emerging projects
Work with community groups to enhance the quality of services they offer and to ensure financial viability for schemes and promote effective exit strategies.
Within the Western Board area there has been a high level of interest in NOF funding.
To date, over 38 groups have been funded with 2 groups already extending out of school provision further.
The table below shows the number of groups, number of places and amount of money allocated by District Council Area.
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Table 14. NOF Out of School funding by district council area.
Council No. of Groups No. of Places Amounts
Derry 9 528 307,455
Fermanagh 10 620 357,621
Omagh 10 530 321,637
Limavady 4 296 98,721
Strabane 5 272 125,078
TOTALS 38 2246 1,210,512
Continuation 6 164,773
TOTAL SPEND £1,375,285
NOF funding in the Western Board area has been allocated to a variety of types of provision.
These have included breakfast clubs, wraparound services, out of schools, holiday care and childminders. Of the groups currently receiving NOF funding, 16 have previously been in receipt of Playcare grants.
NICMA has been able to use NOF funding for set up grants to support childminders in establishing their businesses and becoming registered.
The table below gives a breakdown of these grants and the number of children minded in the Western Board area.
Table 15. NICMA Start Up Grants.
Number of Grants
Under 5 Child Care Places Created
Over 5 Child Care Places Created
Total Places Created
Foyle 93 130 100 323
Sperrin / Lakeland Omagh 33 48 30 111
Sperrin / Lakeland Enniskillen 31 34 27 92
Total 157 212 157 526
Recent changes to NOF awards has extended the number of years groups can receive NOF funding.
Initially only groups situated in the 5% most deprived wards could receive second and third year funding. This has now been extended to the 25% most deprived wards. It is likely that approximately 90% of Western NOF groups can access second and third year awards.
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With applications for funding not ending until February 2003 it is anticipated that the target of 2,664 new places in the Western Board area will be exceeded.
The New Opportunities Fund has recently announced further funding for out of schools for 4-14 year olds and also for services for children from 0-3 years.
A new amount of £9million is likely to result in additional funding being available for one year funded out of school projects in areas which are more sustainable and increased revenue funding for second and third year existing groups for second and third year grants.
Of the existing NOF groups approximately 33 are likely to be eligible for second and third year funding. Currently 5 recipient groups have been successful in obtaining continuation funding. Another 4 are awaiting confirmation of second and third year awards.
With the new £9million available in 2002 the likely allocation to the Western Area Child Care Partnership is outlined in the table below:
Table 16. Proposed NOF funding for 0-4 years and 4-14 years from 2002
AGE GROUPS WACCP PERCENTAGES TOTAL AMOUNT
0-3 years 22% £1,240,800
4-14years 22% £620,400
Total £1,861,200
Based on the financial projections and likely continuation spend across the area it will be possible to create approximately 10 new out of school clubs.
Considering where NOF funding has been allocated the following areas
have been targeted for new out of school developments:
Magilligan / Limavady Council area
Caw, Victoria and Clondermott wards - Derry City Council Area East
Shantallow East and West – Derry City Council Area West
South, East and Ballycolman, Strabane Town
Newtownstewart, Strabane Rural
Fintona and Dromore, Omagh Rural
Castlecool, Rossary and Portora, Enniskillen Town
42
Derrygormley, Bellcoo and Garrison, Enniskillen Rural West
Rosslea and Brookborough, Enniskillen Rural East.
As well as identifying target areas for new development the Child Care Partnership will consider the following pieces of work:
An audit to identify further training needs
Capacity building to ensure business planning is central to existing providers action to ensure services remain sustainable after NOF funding
Further marketing needs to take place on Working Families Tax Credit to ensure families of middle to low income and Loan Parents have access to affordable child care
A joined up approach between services for 0-3 years and 4-14 years should allow NOF funding to create and sustain services, particularly in rural communities where infrastructure can be limited.
The Partnership needs to develop mechanisms to disseminate best practice.
To date, out of schools provision has been cross community and open to all. It is important therefore to ensure that groups have financial assistance to provide more integrated childcare places for special needs and vulnerable children.
The new NOF programme for children from 0-3 years will provide capital funding for groups. It is important for the Partnership to ensure that funding from other sources is available for revenue costs for groups to ensure their long term financial stability.
This has been enhanced by the different selection panels of the Child Care Partnerships being reconstituted as Strategic Funding Panel.
8.4 Early Years Development Fund
The Child Care Partnerships are allocated financial assistance from the DHSS&PS through the Early Years Development Fund.
This funding is to aid the partnerships in infrastructural support for their work.
During 2001- 2002 Early Years Development Fund was used for the following: Support the staffing needs of the Partnership
Provide funding for local Early Years fora
Commission and publish research into the needs of children with disabilities and their families
43
Commission the Parents Advice Centre to undertake work with parents groups to ensure consultation with parents so that their views and needs can be expressed
Funding for training
A grant aid scheme for voluntary organisations working with children with special needs (26 grants allocated).
The Early Years Development Fund is a small allocation of money to the Partnership however, it has enabled the Partnership to, not only support its infrastructure, but to provide grants to organisations working with a range of different groups.
In planning how to allocate future funding EYDF will come under the umbrella of the Strategic Funding Panel and will complement funding from all the other sources available to the Child Care Partnership.
8.5 Other Funding Sources
There are a number of other funding sources which are available to the child care sector.
8.5.1 Health and Social Services Trust
Both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts provide Grant Aid to playgroups. This grant aid is limited and has not been increased over the last number of years.
It is targeted at groups who do not receive PEAG places.
8.5.2 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)
The Pre-Education Expansion Programme commenced in 1998.
The aim of the Western Education and Library Board’s (WELB) Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) is to provide quality education places for children in their pre-school year.
The objective of the Pre-School Education Advisory Group is to provide additional places, in a range of settings in the voluntary, private and statutory nursery sectors. Children from socially disadvantaged circumstances and the oldest pre-school 4 year olds (those with July or August birthdays) will be given priority in the first instance.
The longer term aim is to provide a full year of pre-school education for any child whose parents wish it.
There are 1270 funded places available in the voluntary/private sector under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme.
44
Recurrent funding of approximately £1.5million will be allocated to voluntary and private providers in the programme every year.
The PEEP has established 36 new nursery units, 9 of which are Community Nursery Units. The final 8 nursery units will be opening in September 2002.
The table below indicates by District Council Area the Department of Education Expected Provision and the proposed provision by 2002.
Table 17. PEAG funded places and percentages.
District Council Area P1
Population Department of Education
Expected Provision Department of Education
Expected Provision as % of P1
Population Proposed Provision by 2002
Proposed Provision as % of P1
Population
Omagh 741 621 83.8 639 86.2
Fermanagh 805 670 83.2 690 85.7
Strabane 563 481 85.4 527 93.6
Limavady 485 404 83.3 395 81.4
Derry 1738 1508 86.8 1660 95.5
8.5.3 Local Strategic Partnerships
The District Partnerships have been restructured in preparation for Peace II as Local Strategic Partnerships.
Similar to District Partnerships there is one in each of the 5 District council areas in the Western Board area. The LSP’s will consider applications for funding from childcare providers under the Peace II initiative.
It is important to ensure that there is communication between the Local Strategic Partnerships and other funders, particularly Childhood Fund and Playcare to ensure that the grants which they allocate are complementary and not duplication.
8.5.4 The Community Fund
The National Lottery Charity Board has changed its name to the Community Fund and offers grants to childcare providers.
8.5.5 BBC Children In Need
The BBC Children in Need has provided significant funding to the childcare sector since its inception.
45
8.5.6 Londonderry Regeneration Initiative (LRI)
LRI Funding for the childcare sector is allocated through the Western Health and Social Services Board and applications for funding can be made directly to the Director of Social Care, WHSSB. It only provides funding within the Derry City Council area.
8.5.7 Children's Fund
The Children's Fund will be launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002 and will provide funding for both the statutory and voluntary sectors for the creation of services for children.
8.5.8 Trust Funds
There are a number of Trust Funds which provide funding to the childcare sector in Northern Ireland.
8.6 Sustainability
Although the childcare sector has received considerable additional funding over the last number of years, practically all of this funding is short-term and the maximum term for grants are normally 2 to 3 years.
This has made long term financial planning very difficult for the groups working in the sector.
They are often required to give elaborate exit strategies however, their only source is the statutory sector which will not have funding for long term sustainability.
This has been recognised at Departmental level, child care partnership level and with groups on the ground.
The Children First Advisory Forum has established a working group to look at sustainability.
This group will report back its findings to CFAF and the Interdepartmental Group on Early Years during 2002.
It is important that planning for sustainability takes place at all levels therefore the Child Care Partnership will look at sustainability within the Western Board area and will consider the findings of the CFAF working group before deciding on a strategy.
One of the major issues at present is the report from NIPPA which identified 18 PEAG places per session as a viable number to make groups sustainable.
This exercise, although useful when it was initially carried out, is now out of date and was never meant as a definitive number for longterm sustainability even though it has been used in the planning and assessing of Peace II applications.
This should be re-evaluated in more depth to establish the true costs of providing childcare services.
46
Groups on the ground must now begin to plan their longer term funding strategies, particularly in the light of Peace II being the last round of European funding.
The Child Care Partnership can aid this exercise by helping build capacity within management committees and local communities and helping them to identify alternative sources of funding when their current grants come to an end.
It is essential that all childcare funders create opportunities to meet and share their strategic planning. This will ensure a more joined up approach to funding which should help improve providers opportunities for sustainability.
The IDEGEY and Child Care Partnerships are in an ideal position to facilitate this sharing of information between funding bodies and have a number of examples of it.
This, however, needs to be built on if providers are to remain sustainable.
February 2002
Child Care Plan
47
9 WORKPLAN FOR 2002 – 2005
Key Target Related Objectives
Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
1. Restructure the WACCP
a)To identify new members of the WACCP
Establish working group to consider involvement in WACCP of employers
Implement recommendations of Parents
Advice Centre Pilots on involvement in WACCP of employers
Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations
Induction for new members
All relevant sectors and interests will have a seat on the WACCP.
An induction policy for new members will be in place.
A mechanism for the involvement of employers and parents will be in place.
WACCP WACCP Chair Co-ordinator
b)To identify new members of substructure
Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations
Induction for new sub-structure members
All relevant sectors and interests will be involved in the sub-groups, local early years fora and working groups.
Chair Co-ordinator/Chair of Sub-Groups
48
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance
Indicators Lead Role
c)To agree Terms of Reference for all groups
Each sub-group to draft own Terms of Reference
Share with WACCP and redraft Each sub-group and working group will have its own terms of reference.
Convener/ members of subgroup Convener
d)To agree Partnership’s work programme for 2002-2003
Organise Planning day
Draft Action Plan
Implement Action Plan
The Partnership will have a timetable for its work and identified priorities and duties for completion of the various tasks.
Chair/Co-ordinator Facilitator WACCP
e) To identify support needs of the WACCP to carry out its duties
Agree staff required
Agree lead agency
Recruit staff when necessary
Induct staff
Develop work programme
EYDF Budget set for 2002-2003.
Employ necessary staff to facilitate the work of the Partnership.
All new staff members will have received induction.
WACCP WACCP Lead agency Lead agency Lead agency/WACCP
Child Care Plan
49
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
2. Establish quality assurance framework
a) To develop and implement a quality assurance strategy
Draft strategy and endorse it
Implement strategy
A Quality Assurance Framework will be in place.
Quality Assurance/ Quality Development Group
b) To work in partnership with relevant bodies
Establish mechanisms for consultation with Early Years Teams, SSI, ETI and voluntary community care sector
Work with the Good Practice Network on the dissemination of information on best practice
Provide information on the website
Provide information in newsheet
Promote the registration of childminders
Regular meetings with EY Teams, SSI and ETI will have taken place.
Have agreed a process for sharing information from Good Practice Network.
Provided information on quality in the website.
Written and circulated 2 newsheets.
Agreed a mechanism for providing the registration of childminders.
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group Information Officer
Information Officer Quality Assurance- Development Group/NICMA
50
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c) To promote standards on good practice
Develop/share standards on best practice
Provide training on best practice
Encourage groups to have policies and procedures in place for all areas of practice
Identify training priorities, identified funding for training and provided grants.
Agreed policies and procedures all childcare providers should have in place.
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Umbrella organisations Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
d)To promote an ethos of monitoring and evaluating services
Ensure mechanisms are in place for monitoring financial and non-financial returns from Sure Start projects
Encourage all providers to monitor and evaluate their practice
Provide training on monitoring and evaluation Inspected quarterly financial and new financial monitoring reports for Sure Start.
A policy will be in place for promoting, monitoring and evaluation of practice. Developed a training programme on monitoring and evaluation.
WHSSB Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group
Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group
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Key Target Related Objectives
Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
3. Develop mechanisms for improving information within the Child Care sector
a)To ensure there is a two way flow of information between organisations / individuals within the sector
Develop / launch WACCP website
Develop / launch newsheet
Promote membership of local early years fora.
Provide opportunities for consultation
Build relationships with County childcare committees in Republic of Ireland
Website will be operational.
First 2 copies of newsheet will be published.
Have met representatives from county childcare committees and established regular forum.
Information Officer Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator WACCP Co-ordinator / Cross Border Rural Childcare Project
b)To provide statistical information to the Sector
Continue to update statistical information
Publish any new or amended information on the website
Regularly update information/ statistics/indicators of need/gaps in provision Regularly update information on website
Information Officer
Information Officer
52
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c)To develop a range of directories of services
Encourage all early years fora to publish directories of services
Publish Directory of Services of childcare training procedures
Each District Council area will have a directory of childcare services.
Information on training providers will be available to the sector.
Co-ordinator Quality Assurance / Quality Development subgroup
4. To identify gaps in provision and target services at these areas
a)To analyse information on gaps in provision
Breakdown statistics / information on services to as low an area as possible
Prioritise areas where services should be targeted
Identify how these services could be established in particular areas Areas in which to target relevant services will have been identified.
Information Officer WACCP / Trusts WACCP / Trusts
b)To identify how information can be made more robust
Analyse information from RDC research
Analyse information from 2001 census to establish how it could benefit planning for childcare services
More robust information will be available for planning/targeting services
Information Officer
Information Officer
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
5. To develop a strategy for long term sustainability within the Childcare Sector
a)To contribute to the CFAF sustainability working group
Provide information on sustainability
Identify the main issues relating to sustainability within the Childcare sector Publication of work of CFAF sustainability subgroup WACCP
WACCP
b)To develop a Board with Sustainability Strategy / Action Plan
Implement recommendations of CFAF Sustainability sub-group
Identify main priorities / action which need to be put in place
Provide training to the Sector on financial accountability and capacity building
Provide information on funding sources Identified main areas for action within Western Board Area Strategic Funding Panel
Strategic Funding Panel
54
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c)To assess and allocate funding
Assess and allocate Childhood Fund grants
Assess and allocate Playcare grants
Assess and allocate Early Years Development Funds grants
Assess and allocate other grants as appropriate Funding from various sources will have been allocated to the sector
Strategic Funding Panel
5 d) to contribute to the development of New grant programmes
Identifying priority areas for new grants
Inform relevant grant making body Strategic Funding Panel
Strategic Funding Panel REFERENCES
1. Article 20 Review, Foyle Trust.
2. Article 20 Review, Sperrin Lakeland HSC Trust
3. Children First, NI Child Care Strategy, DHSS, DENI, T&E Agency
4. Directory of Training Providers, Western Board area, WACCP, Training Sub-Group
5. Enabling Ability, Karen Casson & Maria Herron
6. Locality Profiles, Information Dept, WHSSB
7. Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, Social Disadvantage Research Centre, Dept of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford
8. Rural Baselining Initiative, A Work In Progress, Rural Development Council
9. Social Security Statistics Agency 10. Vocational Qualifications in Early Years Care, Education and Playwork, WACCP, Training Sub-Group
11. Western Area PEAG Action Plan, December 2001
APPENDICES
Appendix I
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
C&YPC Children and Young Peoples Committee
CBRCCP Cross-border Rural Childcare Project
CCP Child Care Partnership
CFAF Children First Advisory Forum
CSP Children’s Services Plan
DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
DE Department of Education and Learning
DEL Department of Employment and Learning
DHSS&PS Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety
ETI Education and Training Inspectorate
EYDF Early Years Development Fund
IDGEY Inter-departmental Group on Early Years
NICMA Northern Ireland Childminding Association
NIPPA Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association
NLCB National Lottery Charities Board
NOF New Opportunities Fund
PEAG Pre-school Education Advisory Group
PEEP Pre-school Education Expansion Programme
SSI Social Services Inspectorate
WACCP Western Area Child Care Partnership
WAEYC Western Area Early Years Committee
WELB Western Education and Library Board
WHSSB Western Health and Social Services Board
Appendix II
MEMBERSHIP OF THE WACCP
Name Organisation Sector
Ms Carmel Rooney (Chair) WHSSB Health & Social Care
Ms Margaret Kelly WHSSB Health & Social Care
Mr Eamon McTernan WACYPC Health & Social Care
Mr Gerry Conway Foyle Trust Health & Social Care
Vacant Sperrin/Lakeland Trust Health & Social Care
Ms Veronica Baird Westcare Health & Social Care
Mr Seamus Gunn DEL Training and employment
Mr Paddy Mackey WELB Education
Mr Shaun McBride NICIE Education
Mr Peter Duffy CCMS Education
Mr Paddy McGahan DARD Rural
Ms Ann Brolly Limavady Borough Council
Councils
Mr Gerry Craig Derry City Council Councils
Mr Brian McMahon Strabane District Council Councils
Mr Vincent Brogan Omagh District Council Councils
Mr Jim Ledwith Fermanagh District Council
Councils
Ms Nora Nevin NIPPA Voluntary
Ms Carol Gallagher NICMA Voluntary
Vacant Childcare NI Voluntary
Ms Marguerite Hunter- Blair
PlayBoard Voluntary
Mr Danny Cassidy Altram Irish Medium
Ms Bridgeen Irwin Limavady Early years
Forum
Local Early Years Fora
Mr Joe McGrann Derry City Council Area
Early Years Forum
Local Early Years Fora
Vacant Strabane District Early Years Network
Local Early Years Fora
Ms Mary Begley Omagh Area Childcare Network
Local Early Years Fora
Ms Maeve McGuigan Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
Local Early Years Fora
Limava
L/Derry
Straba
Castled
Oma
Enniskill
Lisnask
Appendix III
Registered Childcare Service Provision Profile by Locality
Derry Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Derry 5150 3635 9251 9860 5969 33865
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 3635
Service No of Places Places per 1000*
children (3-4)
Playgroup* 909 250
No of Creches 20 -
Day Nursery Places 280 77
Statutory Nursery Places
1378 379
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 16,933
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children (4-12)
Out of School Day Care 178 10
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 27,896
Service No Of Childminders/ Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 144 -
Childminding Places Available 587 21
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. * Playgroup figure includes Naiscoils and Family & Childcare Centres
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen Lisnaskea Limavady Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Limavady 1339 1016 2674 2818 1637 9484
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1016
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 417 410
No of Creches 6 -
Day Nursery Places 73 72
Statutory Nursery Places 208 204
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 4896
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 140 29
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 7,847
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 83 -
Childminding Places Available 335 43
* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen Lisnaskea Strabane Council Area
Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Strabane 1723 1175 2801 3225 1955 10879
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1175
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 380 323
No of Creches - -
Day Nursery Places - -
Statutory Nursery Places 364 309
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 5211
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 137 26
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 8,924
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Childminders Available** 24
Childminding Places Available 82
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. *No of Places in Strabane Council Area (includes places from both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts)
**No of Childminders based on those registered with Foyle Early Years Team catchment area.
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Omagh Council Area
Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Omagh 2037 1403 3810 4348 2720 14318
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1403
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 592 421
No of Crèches 4 -
Day Nursery Places 130 93
Statutory Nursery Places 286 203
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 7075
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 218 31
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 11,598
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Childminders Available* 88
Childminding Places Available 365
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. * Childminders registered with Sperrin Early Years - Includes some parts of Strabane Council Area
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Fermanagh Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Fermanagh 2311 1729 4391 4921 3012 16364
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1729
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 680 393
No of Crèches 1 -
Day Nursery Places 259 150
Statutory Nursery Places 364 210
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 8177
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 164 20
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 13,352
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 116 -
Childminding Places Available 376 28
* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.
Appendix IV
NUMBER OF CHILDREN 0-14 AT WARD LEVEL
The information below gives an indication of the number of children aged 0- 14 at electoral ward level. The Partnership is tasked with the role of planning strategically for the childcare provision of those in this age group. The information is sourced from the uptake of child benefit at ward level.
Derry
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Altnagelvin 954
Creggan South 645
New Buildings 865
Ballynashallog 718
Crevagh 1442
Pennyburn 1083
Banagher 724
Culmore 1682
Rosemount 618
Beechwood 429
Ebrington 647
Shantallow East 755
Brandywell 603
Eglinton 874
Shantallow West 2076
Carn Hill 867
Enagh (Derry) 831
Springtown 952
Caw 634
Foyle Springs 966
Strand (Derry) 582
Claudy 581
Holly Mount 909
The Diamond 1086
Clondermot 559
Kilfennan 521
Victoria (Derry) 709
Creggan Central 853
Lisnagelvin 524
Westland 625
Strabane Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Artigarvin 524
East 462
Sion Mills 532
Ballycolman 616
Finn 584
Slievekirk 416
Glenderg 514
South 741
Castlederg 536
Newtownstewart 461
Victoria Bridge 500
Clare 453
North 798
West 757
Dunnamanagh 432
Plumbridge 475
Omagh Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years Ward 0-14 Years
Beragh 484
Drumquin 394
Lisanelly 549
Camowen 699
Drumragh 570
Newtownsaville 476
Clanabogan 428
Fairy Water 439
Owenkillew 514
Coolnagard 396
Fintona 446
Sixmilecross 467
Dergmoney 656
Gortin 430
Strule 337
Dromore 540
Gortrush 379
Termon 572
Drumnakilly 603
Killyclogher 577
Trillick 452
Limavady Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Aghanloo 684
Feeny 442
Magilligan 318
Ballykelly 500
Forest 507
Rathbrady 249
Coolessan 439
Glack 322
Roeside 401
Dungiven 638
Greysteel 638
The Highlands 328
Enagh
(Limavady) 642 Greystone
(Limavady) 389 Upper Glenshane 411
Fermanagh Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ballinamallard 470
Devenish 254
Lisnaskea 730
Belcoo and Garrison 418
Donagh 262
Maguires Bridge 408
Belleek and Boa 486
Erne 535
Newtownbutler 481
Boho Cleenish and Letterbreen 417
Florence Court and Kinawley 376
Portora 845
Brookeborough 388
Irvinestown 468
Rosslea 439
Castlecoole 755
Kesh Ederney and Lack 630
Rossorry 279
Derrygonnelly 417
Lisbellaw 546
Tempo 454
Derrylin 461
Lisnarrick 224
Source: Social Security Agency
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, June 2001
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain (1 - Most Deprived, 566 - Least Deprived)
Ward Name LGD Name
Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure
Domain Ward Name LGD Name Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain Ward Name LGD Name
Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain
Brandywell Derry 70.95 6
Irvinestown Fermanagh 29.75 138
Derrylin Fermanagh 16.84 310
Creggan South Derry 63.36 13
Culmore Derry 29.48 142
Aghanloo Limavady 16.56 318
The Diamond Derry 61.50 15
Lisanelly Omagh 29.07 145
Killyclogher Omagh 16.52 319
St. Peter's Derry 60.18 17
Crevagh & SpringtoDerry 28.88 147
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 16.00 326
Victoria Derry 58.29 18
Ebrington Derry 28.37 151
Clanabogan Omagh 15.91 327
East Strabane 56.52 21
Drumnakilly Omagh 28.11 152
Ballykelly Limavady 15.55 336
Creggan Central Derry 56.05 22
Banagher Derry 28.07 153
Strule Omagh 15.19 341
Shantallow East Derry 55.29 23
Feeny Limavady 27.76 157
Florence Court & Kinawle Fermanagh 14.99 346
Binevenagh Limavady 54.86 24
Artigarvan Strabane 27.39 160
Ballinamallard Fermanagh 14.91 347
Shantallow West Derry 53.11 27
Camowen Omagh 26.83 165
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 14.82 350
Westland Derry 50.16 31
Rosslea Fermanagh 26.68 166
Island Fermanagh 14.68 353
Castlederg Strabane 49.71 34
Slievekirk Strabane 26.67 167
Eglinton Derry 14.13 364
Termon Omagh 46.97 39
Claudy Derry 26.23 170
Coolnagard Omagh 13.95 367
Glen Derry 46.16 42
Brookeborough Fermanagh 26.01 172
Pennyburn Derry 13.29 379
Rosemount Derry 46.14 43
Newtownsaville Omagh 25.99 173
Ballynashallog Derry 13.02 381
Fintona Omagh 46.08 44
Trillick Omagh 25.94 174
Rathbrady Limavady 12.87 384
Carn Hill Derry 44.55 49
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 25.61 177
Lisbellaw Fermanagh 12.16 399
Beechwood Derry 43.92 52
Finn Strabane 25.44 180
Fairy Water Omagh 12.16 400
Glenderg Strabane 43.45 57
North Strabane 25.04 188
Roeside Limavady 11.63 410
Corrody Derry 43.29 58
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 24.98 190
Castlecoole Fermanagh 10.05 432
Coolessan Limavady 41.89 62
Erne Fermanagh 24.16 201
Rossorry Fermanagh 9.93 436
Strand Derry 40.55 65
Magilligan Limavady 23.79 207
Altnagelvin Derry 9.55 439
Clare Strabane 38.86 72
Glack Limavady 23.36 215
Owenkillew Omagh 38.86 73
Dungiven Limavady 22.90 220
Newtownstewart Strabane 38.52 77
Faughan Derry 22.73 223
Sion Mills Strabane 38.04 80
Dergmoney Omagh 22.33 226
Multiple Deprivation Measure constructed by using seven transformed
Dunnamanagh Strabane 37.77 83
The Highlands Limavady 22.28 227
domain scores as follows:
West Strabane 37.68 85
Upper Glenshane Limavady 22.25 228
Caw Derry 36.78 88
Enagh Limavady 21.83 235
Income (25%)
Plumbridge Strabane 36.10 92
Tempo Fermanagh 21.20 240
Employment (25%)
Victoria Bridge Strabane 35.53 94
Forest Limavady 20.88 246
Health, Deprivation and Disability (15%)
Sixmilecross Omagh 35.33 96 Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 20.61 251
Education, Skills and Training (15%)
South Strabane 34.92 98
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 19.32 267
Geographical Access to Services (10%)
Dromore Omagh 32.72 114
New Buildings Derry 19.04 272
Social Environment (5%)
Drumquin Omagh 32.65 115
Lisnagelvin Derry 18.90 275
Housing Stress (5%)
Clondermot Derry 32.47 117
Boho, Cleenish & L Fermanagh 18.56 282
Newtownbutler Fermanagh 31.58 120
Donagh Fermanagh 18.36 286
Enagh Derry 31.26 125
Beragh Omagh 17.87 291
Devenish Fermanagh 31.02 128
Drumragh Omagh 17.78 292
Lisnaskea Fermanagh 30.94 129
Gortin Omagh 17.02 307
Gortrush Omagh 30.85 130
Gresteel Limavady 16.94 309
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Child Poverty Measure (Wards Ranked 1 - 566) 1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived
Ward Name LGD Name
Rank of Child Poverty Measure Score
Shantallow East Derry 1 92.39
Plumbridge Strabane 160 50.47
Castlecoole Fermanagh 348 32.32
Brandywell Derry 2 91.43
Culmore Derry 162 50.35
Donagh Fermanagh 349 32.31
Creggan South Derry 3 89.36
Erne Fermanagh 163 49.95
Faughan Derry 351 32.20
Shantallow West Derry 7 83.63
Enagh Limavady 164 49.82
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 352 31.88
Creggan Central Derry 11 82.35
Upper Glenshane Limavady 171 49.11
Magilligan Limavady 361 31.48
East Strabane 18 79.10
Drumquin Omagh 175 48.48
Rossorry Fermanagh 362 31.37
Glen Derry 19 78.66
Clare Strabane 176 48.45
Florence Court & Kinawl Fermanagh 367 31.18
Coolessan Limavady 24 75.82
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 177 48.41
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 371 30.91
Victoria Derry 30 74.09
Trillick Omagh 178 48.32
Forest Limavady 375 30.39
Strand Derry 37 72.58
Feeny Limavady 179 48.14
Dergmoney Omagh 380 29.85
Castlederg Strabane 39 72.03
Termon Omagh 180 48.06
Lisbellaw Fermanagh 397 27.72
The Diamond Derry 42 71.62
Ebrington Derry 183 47.58
Derrylin Fermanagh 413 26.15
Carn Hill Derry 46 70.56
Victoria Bridge Strabane 188 47.05
Aghanloo Limavady 417 25.58
Devenish Fermanagh 49 69.83
Dungiven Limavady 189 47.03
Rathbrady Limavady 419 25.53
Beechwood Derry 50 69.71
Sixmilecross Omagh 205 45.28
Clanabogan Omagh 428 23.82
St. Peter's Derry 52 68.77
The Highlands Limavady 206 45.17
Roeside Limavady 429 23.81
Westland Derry 54 68.57
Brookeborough Fermanagh 212 44.25
Gortin Omagh 430 23.62
Binevenagh Limavady 59 67.04
Finn Strabane 213 44.16
Eglinton Derry 435 22.49
South Strabane 62 66.72
Lisnagelvin Derry 217 43.98
Altnagelvin Derry 437 22.03
Rosemount Derry 74 65.73
Drumnakilly Omagh 221 43.48
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 439 22.00
West Strabane 83 62.48
Artigarvan Strabane 229 42.77
Fairy Water Omagh 445 21.45
Lisanelly Omagh 90 61.10
Killyclogher Omagh 231 42.41
Ballynashallog Derry 461 19.89
Glenderg Strabane 92 60.88
Banagher Derry 234 42.16
Ballinamallard Fermanagh 467 19.27
Corrody Derry 102 59.07
Slievekirk Strabane 238 41.73
Drumragh Omagh 480 17.51
Newtownstewart Strabane 104 58.91
Island Fermanagh 260 39.74
Clondermot Derry 107 57.81
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 262 39.64
Note: Newtownbutler Fermanagh 114 57.04
North Strabane 266 39.24
The Child Poverty Measure is a sub-set of the Income Domain.
Sion Mills Strabane 127 54.41
Tempo Fermanagh 271 38.94
The Income Domain includes people of all ages, whereas the Child Poverty
Fintona Omagh 133 54.14 Strule Omagh 279 38.30
Measure is for 0-15 year olds only.
Camowen Omagh 138 53.37
Pennyburn Derry 284 38.03
Enagh Derry 139 53.36
Beragh Omagh 289 37.73
Indicators Used:
Dunnamanagh Strabane 143 53.17
Gresteel Limavady 304 35.96
Children In Income Support Households (DSD, August 1999)
Caw Derry 144 53.12
Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 305 35.94
Children In Income Based Job Seekers Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)
Crevagh & Springtow Derry 145 52.92
Newtownsaville Omagh 312 35.29
Gortrush Omagh 146 52.90 Boho,
Cleenish & L Fermanagh 321 34.61
Children In Family Credit Households (DSD, August 1999)
Irvinestown Fermanagh 148 52.74
Glack Limavady 327 34.47
Children In Disability Working Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)
Lisnaskea Fermanagh 150 52.49
Coolnagard Omagh 333 33.80
Rosslea Fermanagh 154 51.71
Claudy Derry 335 33.46
Owenkillew Omagh 158 50.91
Ballykelly Limavady 340 33.13
Dromore Omagh 159 50.53
New Buildings Derry 344 32.65
Source: (NISRA, 2001)
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Geographical ACCESS to Services Domain (Wards Ranked 1-566) 1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived
Ward Name LGD Name
Access Domain Score Rank of Access Domain Ward Name LGD Name
Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 2.48 1
Gortin Omagh .86 99
Coolnagard Omagh -.41 370
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 2.33 2
Artigarvan Strabane .83 103
Ballynashallog Derry -.42 372
Glenderg Strabane 2.08 3
Ballinamallard Fermanagh .80 111
Altnagelvin Derry -.44 379
Plumbridge Strabane 1.84 5
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh .76 115
Gortrush Omagh -.44 382
Owenkillew Omagh 1.83 6
Fairy Water Omagh .76 116
West Strabane -.45 383
Rosslea Fermanagh 1.78 8
Newtownstewart Strabane .76 117
Roeside Limavady -.45 384
Newtownbutler Fermanagh 1.59 11
Clanabogan Omagh .75 118
Pennyburn Derry -.55 416
Derrylin Fermanagh 1.56 12
Ballykelly Limavady .75 120
Shantallow East Derry -.55 418
Magilligan Limavady 1.56 13
Lisbellaw Fermanagh .67 138
Binevenagh Limavady -.55 420
Feeny Limavady 1.51 14
Gresteel Limavady .65 143
Lisanelly Omagh -.59 426
Dunnamanagh Strabane 1.45 18
Castlederg Strabane .50 177
East Strabane -.64 434
Upper Glenshane Limavady 1.39 23
Fintona Omagh .44 184
Creggan South Derry -.65 436
Banagher Derry 1.38 25
Faughan Derry .38 200
Creggan Central Derry -.72 455
Sixmilecross Omagh 1.36 26
Sion Mills Strabane .37 202
South Strabane -.73 457
Brookeborough Fermanagh 1.35 27
Eglinton Derry .36 204
Dergmoney Omagh -.79 474
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 1.35 28
Dungiven Limavady .36 205
Glen Derry -.80 477
Termon Omagh 1.34 30
Enagh Derry .35 208
Brandywell Derry -.90 493
Glack Limavady 1.33 31
Irvinestown Fermanagh .33 213
Lisnagelvin Derry -.99 503
Clare Strabane 1.27 35
Lisnaskea Fermanagh .28 221
Devenish Fermanagh -1.03 512
Drumquin Omagh 1.26 39
Culmore Derry .27 225
Clondermot Derry -1.03 513
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 1.24 42
New Buildings Derry .23 231
Beechwood Derry -1.17 526
Slievekirk Strabane 1.23 43
Corrody Derry .19 235
Rosemount Derry -1.27 534
The Highlands Limavady 1.22 45
Crevagh & SpringtowDerry .04 252
Victoria Derry -1.29 535
Florence Court & KinawFermanagh 1.22 46
Enagh Limavady .00 258
Ebrington Derry -1.38 540
Donagh Fermanagh 1.16 50
Shantallow West Derry -.04 271
Westland Derry -1.48 546
Boho, Cleenish & LetteFermanagh 1.15 52
Castlecoole Fermanagh -.04 272
The Diamond Derry -1.49 547
Trillick Omagh 1.15 53
Rossorry Fermanagh -.10 280
Island Fermanagh -1.61 553
Newtownsaville Omagh 1.13 54
Coolessan Limavady -.11 282
Strand Derry -1.78 562
Victoria Bridge Strabane 1.06 64
Drumragh Omagh -.12 284
Indicators Used:
Drumnakilly Omagh 1.04 66
North Strabane -.15 294
Access to a post office
Aghanloo Limavady 1.04 68
Killyclogher Omagh -.25 319
Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)
Claudy Derry .99 77 Caw Derry -.27 325
Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh .98 78
Strule Omagh -.33 345
Access to a dentist
Tempo Fermanagh .94 84
Rathbrady Limavady -.35 351
Access to an Optician
Dromore Omagh .89 92
Camowen Omagh -.35 352
Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)
Finn Strabane .89 93
Carn Hill Derry -.36 353
Access to a library
Beragh Omagh .88 97
Erne Fermanagh -.37 357
Access to a museum
Forest Limavady .87 98
St. Peter's Derry -.41 369
Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment Agency
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland
Multiple Deprivation Measure
Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB
Key Indicators Used:
Income Deprivation - 25%
Employment Deprivation - 25%
Health deprivation & Disability - 15%
Geographical access to services - 10%
Social Environment - 5%
Fermanagh
Omagh
Limavady
Derry
Strabane
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland
Child Poverty Measure
Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern Fermanagh Omagh Strabane
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB Limavady based on:
Children in Income Support Households
Children in Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Households
Children in Family Credit Households
Children in Disability Working Allowance
Derry
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland Access to Services Measure
Limavady Council Area
Derry Council Area
Strabane Council Area
Omagh Council Area
Fermanagh Council Area
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB Key Indicators Used:
Access to a post office
Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)
Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)
Access to a dentist
Access to an Optician
Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)
Access to a library
Access to a museum
Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment Agency
Source: Measure of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, 2001
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Child Care Plan
1
1. INTRODUCTION
The introduction of “Children First the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy” in 1999 requires each of the 4 Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland to prepare a 3 year Child Care Plan which sets out how the Partnership will plan and deliver childcare services.
This Child Care Plan covers the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2005. The Plan will be reviewed on an annual basis during the 3 years of its life span.
The Plan puts the work of the Child Care Partnership into the context of current childcare needs within the Western Board area and sets targets for the development of services. This is in line with the principles outlined in Children First.
These include:
assessing need;
increasing childcare provision;
making childcare provision more accessible and affordable for all families;
improving quality;
making childcare an attractive career through the development of a training strategy and career structure.
The Plan should complement other Plans such as the Children Services Plan and The Pre-school Education Advisory Group’s Development Plan. During its preparation there was close co-operation with the officers and organisations responsible for the development and implementation of these Plans.
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2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT
There are a number of significant new developments and groups who impact on the work of the Child Care Partnership.
These are:
Political Structures (Programme for Government);
Departmental Policies and Initiatives;
Interdepartmental group on Early Years (IDGEY) and Children First Advisory Forum (CFAF);
Western Area Children and Young Peoples Committee (WACYPC);
Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG);
Cross Border Initiatives.
2.1 Political Structures
The signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the introduction of devolved Government has meant that the Northern Ireland departments are lead by local politicians.
This ensures new levels of accountability to MLA’s and local ministers. Local ministers have shown a keen interest in the workings of their departments with the result that decision-making reflects the needs of the region.
It has given voluntary and community groups the opportunity to lobby ministers and MLA’s on issues which affect their areas. An example of this, which will be outlined in more detail in Chapter 5, was the Fermanagh Early Years Partnership invited local MLA’s to one of their meetings to discuss issues relating to childcare in the county.
As new political structures become imbedded and are seen as an integral part of society, lobbying will become a more central feature of the work of voluntary and community groups. This should give them more influence over decisions which are taken and which affect local communities.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has set out its priorities for the next number of years in a paper entitled “Programme for Government”. In this paper the Assembly outlines where it intends to spend its money and priorities for future funding. Childcare is high on the agenda and, as a result, new initiatives such as Good Practice Networks and the Sure Start programme have already been funded.
The Children's Fund which will be introduced in 2002 will provide additional funding for the childcare sector.
2.2 Departmental Policies and Initiatives
There are a number of policies and initiatives which impact on the Child Care Plan and the Child Care Partnership.
These include:
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The Northern Ireland Assembly proposes to establish a Children’s Commissioner and has consulted widely on the role and remit of the Commissioner.
It is anticipated that the Children’s Commissioner will be appointed during 2002;
A Children’s Strategy will be launched during 2002.
The office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister consulted on a Children’s Strategy.
This will have an overarching effect among the departments who have responsibility for children’s affairs.
It will have an impact on childcare and the delivery of childcare services;
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, through the Family Policy Unit, is developing a new Child Care Strategy.
This will help determine the direction of childcare policies, planning and funding for the foreseeable future.
New Targeting Social Need ensures that the Boards and Trusts target their services at the families and communities which need them most. This is also important for the Child Care Partnership in developing its priorities.
Webmaster Note:(Devoloution was restored in N.I. in May 2007)
Examples include Sure Start and continuation funding for NOF Out of School Clubs which is targeted at the most deprived areas.
It is important that childcare is not seen as a lone service. It must complement other health and education initiatives such as Health Action Zones, Healthy Living Centres and Out of School Learning Initiatives.
Sure Start is a good example of how an integrated approach can benefit the educational, emotional, social and psychological development of young children.
Working in partnership enables agencies (Statutory, Voluntary and Community, health care, social care and educational) to pool their resources so that they complement, not duplicate, each other’s services.
2.3 Inter-departmental group on Early Years and Children First Advisory Forum
The Inter-Departmental Group on Early Years (IDGEY) has representation from the main departments who have responsibility for providing and delivering childcare services.
These include:
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,
Department of Education,
Department of Employment
Learning and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
This group takes a lead role in planning policies, consulting with the Early Years sector and liaising with the 4 Child Care Partnerships on how they do their business. The Children First Advisory Forum (CFAF) has representatives from the 4 departments mentioned above.
It also has 2 representatives from each of the Child Care Partnerships, the Chair and one other representative.
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These representatives include PEAG and the voluntary sector. CFAF has responsibility for monitoring the impact and delivery of Children First.
2.4 Children and Young Peoples Committee (CYPC)
The Children and Young Peoples Committee is Chaired by the Director of Social Care, WHSSB. The group includes Senior Managers from the main statutory agencies with responsibility for or an interest in family and childcare.
The voluntary sector is represented by Childcare N.I. At present CYPC’s are considering further representation from the voluntary sector, representation from the community sector and ethnic minorities.
The Child Care Partnership is a sub-group of the Children and Young Peoples Committee and liaises closely with both members of the committee and the Children’s Services Planning Officer, particularly in the development of Childcare and Children’s Services Plans.
2.5 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)
The Pre-school Education Advisory Group is Chaired by the Western Education and Library Board and has an overlap in membership with the Western Area Child Care Partnership.
There is close co-operation between both groups including the sharing of information and the development of respective plans i.e. the Child Care Plan and the Pre-school Education Advisory Group Action Plan 2002 – 2003.
Statistical information on wards, ages and numbers of children, needs indicators and gaps in provision are shared to aid planning. 2.6 Cross Border
Both the Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Southern Area Child Care Partnership have long borders with the Republic of Ireland. Children from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland cross the border to avail of childcare services in the other jurisdiction.
It is essential when planning services that there should be co-operation between the planners on both sides of the border. Although co-operation is still at an early stage there are a number of initiatives and examples of good practice which have already taken place.
These include:
The Cross-border Rural Childcare Project completed its work with a conference in February 2001.
The main messages coming from the Project were:
1. the similarity of problems facing childcare on both sides of the border,
2. a commitment from Departments to promote rural childcare,
3. the importance of communities being able to identify their own childcare needs,
4. the success of the Cross-border Rural Childcare Project,
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5. the 6 childcare facilities which it helped establish and the need for further work and co-operation on cross border rural child care issues.
A planning meeting will be held in 2002 to develop the next phase of the Project.
If applications for funding are successful it is intended to development a rural childcare observatory, not only linking the border corridor between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland but also including the needs of other rural communities in areas such as the Glens of Antrim and the Irish Midlands.
The setting up of North / South political institutions should have a positive impact on co-operation in North / South childcare planning. Meetings between North / South Ministers and Departments will help develop joint planning, joint projects and initiatives and the sharing of best practice from both sides of the border.
The establishment of County Child Care Committees in the Republic of Ireland has created planning structures similar to the Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland.
The County Child Care Committees are developing childcare plans for their particular areas. It is important to ensure co-operation between the Border County Committees and the Child Care Partnerships in Northern Ireland.
The Child Care Partnership Coordinators in Northern Ireland meet on a regular basis to share information and discuss common issues and concerns.
The Child Care Partnership Coordinators have invited their counterparts in the border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal to meet in April 2002.
This meeting will enable the co-ordinators to discuss issues relevant to both.
Peace II – The introduction of Peace II funding will enable projects along the border corridor to co-operate and develop joint funding bids for crossborder projects.
This, with the other initiatives, will aid co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in developing relationships, joint planning of services and sharing of best practice.
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RESTRUCTURING THE CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP
3.1 Work undertaken to date
In 1999 the National Children’s Bureau was commissioned by the DHSS&PS to work with the 4 Child Care Partnerships to help them restructure to deliver on the recommendations of "Children First".
A number of days were put aside including a residential to undertake this task. The result was a paper entitled “Working in Partnership”. The main recommendations of this were agreed by the Western Area Child Care Partnership and a sub-group was established to implement the proposals. The Partnership at its meeting of 11th December 2001 finalised the restructure.
3.1.1 Structure
The structure of the Partnership will include the following components: Child Care Partnership/Executive Committee which will be the decision making body;
Permanent sub-groups;
Quality Assurance / Quality Development
Strategic Funding Panel;
Information and Strategic Analysis;
Local Early Years Fora – 1 in each district council area;
Short-term Working Groups – to be established to lead on particular pieces of work and will have a lifespan for the work to be undertaken;
Childcare Forum – inclusive body which will meet once or twice per annum with a particular focus or theme, e.g. a conference, consultation on ChildCare Plan.
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Table 1. WACCP Structure
Quality Assurance
Quality Development
Information and Strategic Analysis
Strategic Funding Panel
Child Care Forum
Short Term / Working Reference Groups
Short Term / Working Reference Groups
Limavady Early Years Forum
Derry Early Years Forum
Strabane District Child Care Forum
Omagh District Child Care Network
Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
Child Care Partnership / Executive Committee
3.1.2 Membership
The proposed membership for the different groups is:
Child Care Partnership – WHSSB,
Foyle Trust,
Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,
Westcare,
Children and Young Peoples Committee,
2 Education representatives,
T&EA,
DARD,
3 Voluntary Sector
(NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard),
5 Community Sector nominated through the Local Early Years Fora,
Disability,
Irish Medium,
Integrated Education,
Employers (currently Business in the Community),
District Councils and Parents.
(See appendix II for full list of members)
Quality Assurance and Quality Development (Convener Ms Veronica Baird) –
Westcare, NIPPA, NICMA, PlayBoard, Private daycare, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, T&EA, Childcare NI, Irish Language, Good Practice Network and Education.
Strategic Funding Panel (Convener Mr Seamus Gunn) –
DEL, Foyle Trust, Sperrin/Lakeland Trust, NIPPA, PlayBoard, NICMA, NICIE, NOF, Local Strategic Partnerships, PEAG, Local Early Years Fora, Business in the Community and Support Workers.
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Information and Strategic Analysis (Convener Mr Eamon McTernan) –
Children and Young Peoples Committee,
Education,
Foyle Trust,
Sperrin/Lakeland Trust,
1 Sure Start Co-ordinator,
Good Practice Network,
Local Strategic Partnership,
NIHE and WHSSB Information Officer.
Local Early Years Fora Membership will be open to anyone working in or with an interest in the early years sector.
They include representatives from the different sectors, different types of provision and have a wide geographical spread. It is also important to encourage representation from ethnic minorities.
Short–term working groups (Chaired by a nominated member of the Child Care Partnership) –
may include representatives from the Partnership and its subgroups and can co-opt members from external organisations and/or individuals with an expertise in the particular subject.
(Chairs of sub-groups and working groups should be members of Child Care Partnership and persons identified will take initial responsibility for convening of the group)
Childcare Forum –
Large Board wide inclusive forum where all voluntary and community sector representatives will have the opportunity to meet.
3.2 Next Steps
3.2.1 Permanent Sub-Groups
The convener of the 3 permanent sub-groups will set up an initial meeting.
Membership will be agreed and where there are gaps in membership organisations will be identified and a letter sent to the Chief Executive Officer/Director seeking a nomination from the organisation.
If the sub-group is already in existence such as the Training Sub-group it will be augmented with additional members and new terms of reference to become the Quality Assurance / Quality Development Sub-group.
3.2.2 Terms of Reference
Each of the groups, as part of their establishment, will develop terms of reference, roles and responsibilities for members and a work programme for the year.
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3.2.3 New Structure Becomes Operational
The new structure should be operational by April 2002 with membership of all groups identified and terms of reference and a work programme developed for each group.
3.2.4 Review of Structure
As part of the ongoing development of the Partnership and its substructure a review of the new working arrangements will take place in March 2003 and any changes or improvements will be implemented.
This will form part of the annual review of the Child Care Plan.
3.3 Conclusion
The process of attempting to restructure the Partnership has been ongoing for some time. The recommendations outlined above reflect the work undertaken in that process.
Although it has been time consuming it is important that the structure reflects the discussions and debates which have taken place. It is essential that all organisations and individuals can sign up to it and it can deliver on Children First and the Child Care Plan.
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4 . CURRENT WORK
The Child Care Partnership is currently involved in a number of initiatives. This work is mainly undertaken through the partnership sub-groups and the local Early Years Fora.
4.1 Restructuring the Child Care Partnership
This has been explained in Chapter 3, however 2 initiatives should be mentioned.
"Children First" recommended that membership of the Child Care Partnerships should include:
"Government Departments,
statutory agencies,
employers,
parents,
voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers".
The WACCP has been exploring ways of involving both employers and parents.
4.1.1 Employers
The WACCP have been working with Business in the Community and PlayBoard in an attempt to involve the business sector.
It has also been in contact with Employers for Childcare in order to move this forward. To date there has been little success however it is planned to establish a working group with representation from the above organisations to develop an action for this initiative.
4.1.2 Parents
The 4 Child Care Partnerships have commissioned the Parents Advice Centre to undertake 2 pilot projects in each Partnership area to identify methods of involving parents on the Partnerships.
A Development Worker has been appointed to undertake this work.
The 2 pilots in the Western area are Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank in Foyle Trust and Omagh in Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
The Development Worker is working with groups of parents in both areas to explore the issues. The Worker will report back to the partnership during the Autumn of 2002 with her findings and recommendations.
In order to learn from this pilot project an external consultant has been appointed to undertake an evaluation of the project.
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4.2 Sub-Groups
Although the final membership of the sub-groups has not been agreed and terms of reference completed, 2 of the 3 permanent sub-groups are currently working.
These are extensions of existing sub-groups of the Area Early Years Committee.
These are the Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group and the Strategic Funding Panel.
4.2.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Development Sub-Group
This group will include members of the Training Sub-committee.
It will be supplemented by additional members and will have a remit for ensuring quality within the sector.
The group will work closely with the Trusts’ Registration and Inspection Teams, the Social Services Inspectorate, the Education and Training Inspectorate, the Good Practice Network and voluntary sector organisations to promote quality assurance.
It will also gather and disseminate information on best practice from within Northern Ireland, the UK and further afield.
It will encourage all childcare organisations and groups to implement existing good practice and to develop policies and procedures to ensure that quality assurance mechanisms are in place within their organisations.
4.2.2 Strategic Funding Panel
The Strategic Funding Panel will be an amalgamation of the existing Partnership selection panels.
These included Childhood Fund,
PlayCare,
New Opportunities Fund,
Early Years Development Fund and Sure Start Selection Panels.
In order to ensure a more joined up approach to the funding streams, which the Partnership has responsibility for assessing and allocating, it was felt that one funding panel should take responsibility for all of these funding initiatives.
More detailed information on each funding source is contained in Chapter 8.
4.3 Working Groups
Working Groups will be short-term and established as and when required. These groups will consider specific pieces of work such as consultation on departmental policies or other documents, reference groups for commissioning research or other specific issues.
At present there are no working groups established by the Child Care Partnership.
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However examples of these in the past included the Sure Start Selection Panel which assessed and made recommendations on which proposals should be funded and the Disability Research Reference Group which advised the researchers on the “Enabling Ability Report.”
These groups will be time limited, they will identify membership from both inside and outside the Partnership with particular expertise in the field that they are dealing with, will have clear Terms of Reference and conclude when the work is completed.
4.4 Local Early Years Fora
During 2001 the fifth local Early Years Fora was established in the Derry City Council Area.
4.4.1 Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
This group was established in 1998 and has a core membership with representation from the statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors. Following work with Stratagem in 2000, the group has been working on a strategy on lobbying.
This has included:
writing to all the political parties asking for a copy of their Childcare policies
during the elections contacting the candidates to ensure that Childcare was put on the agenda
inviting the MLA’s from Co. Fermanagh to a meeting with members of the Partnership to ensure that they heard the childcare issues and problems facing communities, families and children in the Fermanagh area.
4.4.2 Limavady Early Years Forum
This group was also established in 1998 and has representatives from all childcare sectors. During 2001 it arranged a number of study visits.
The first of these was to the Reggio Emilia conference in England. Members of the group went to the conference and, as a result of making contacts there, invited a number of people from the Reggio Emilia Centre in Birmingham to present a seminar on their work to childcare representatives within the Limavady District Council area.
Due to a wide interest from outside the Council area childcare representatives from other district were also invited.
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The second visit was the World Childcare Conference in Athens where 2 representatives of the group attended.
They brought back papers and information on examples of provision and best practice from different countries and made contacts with a number of other delegates.
The advantage of such visits is that members have the opportunity to see and experience best practice from other parts of the world and, through networking, can invite members back to present their work to other people within the Limavady District Council Area.
4.4.3 Strabane and District Early Years Forum
This group has been slow to develop however, some members from the Strabane District Council area have been attending the Omagh District Child Care Network meetings.
In order to help the group develop information sessions and a recruitment campaign will take place during 2002.
4.4.4 Omagh District Child Care Network
This group was established in 2000 and has developed a solid core membership with representatives from the different childcare sectors in the Omagh District Council Area.
The group have made contact with members of the District Council and the Local Strategic Partnership and are developing a proposal to the Local Strategic Partnership for funding for a training programme for Early Years providers.
4.4.5 Derry City Council Area Early Years Forum
This group was established in the Autumn of 2001 and has good representation from the different childcare sectors, the different areas of the District Council and different types of provision.
4.5 Good Practice Network
The Good Practice Network aims to address the following areas for Early Years providers in the Limavady Borough Council Area, and for the children’s parents who use their services.
Develop Quality Standards of Early Years Services
Improve information, which will include information for parents on services available in the area
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Promote parenting Education Board support programmes through the provision of Training and Development of the DELTA Model to improve early language development
The Network aims to address these issues in a pro-active and innovative manner through a mixture of support, research, promotion and linking of services.
To enable this there are currently 2 members of staff in place and I.T. systems have been set up.
4.5.1 Develop Quality Standards
The first of the Network's conferences “Quality is in the eye of the beholder” took place on 17th October 2001.
This was a valuable exercise and is the beginning of an ongoing process to enable the Network to assist member organisations improve their quality standards, thus improving the quality of services for users.
The Network is currently working with WELB to offer members organisations an opportunity to go for an EEL accreditation.
4.5.2 Out of Schools Provision
Out of Schools Provision is a major gap within the area. To this end the Network was successful in a consortium application to the New Opportunities Fund.
A total of 5 groups were included, 2 of them private providers, with approximately 200 new Out of School places created.
4.5.3 Improve Information
A website has been developed and all members details are included on the site to allow parents to access this information.
The site also provides up to date information on Government policy, Quality Standards and up and coming events.
It is the Network's intention to develop the site further. This website will have a link with the WACCP webite.
There are currently 122 members on the Network database who each receive a regular newsletter with interesting information and updates.
An audit of existing services/providers and their needs is ongoing.
It is hoped that this will paint a picture of where the gaps exist and how best to fill them.
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4.5.4 Resource Library
The library is well resourced with relevant books, journals, articles, and videos.
4.5.5 Promote Parenting Education & Support
A total of 12 Network members have successfully completed DELTA training which was offered across the Limavady Borough Council area.
Other training events, including 2 x 2½ hour Child Observation Course which was purchased from NIPPA on behalf of members.
4.6 Sure Start
The 4 Sure Start projects funded under Round 1 Grants are now well established and have fully operational programmes.
They have appointed their staff teams who are delivering the programme to local families and children from 0-3years in their designated areas.
All 4 projects have had official launches which has enabled them to inform local professionals and parents of the work of the project.
The 4 Round 1 projects are Ballymagroarty/Hazelbank, Cherish in Irvinestown, Dungiven and Strabane.
In the second round 2 further projects have been approved. The first of these is in Shantallow and is managed differently from the other Sure Start projects.
It has a management committee consisting of the Resource Centre Derry (RCD) and Foyle Trust.
They have developed a programme which will be delivered by commissioning services from a range of agencies working in the Shantallow area.
Examples of these include Lifestart and Derry Travellers Support Group.
Because they are commissioning services, they have a smaller staff team than the other projects however, it was felt that this method was the best way of delivering the Sure Start programme to the area.
The final Sure Start project will be based in the Lisanelly and Strathroy areas of Omagh.
This proposal has been approved by the Child Care Partnership and the DHSSPS.
They will recruit a Sure Start Co-ordinator and other staff and it is anticipated that the project will begin in April 2002.
During 2001 the DHSSPS consulted on how they would evaluate the Sure Start projects. This included identifying what baseline data is needed for the projects in order for the evaluation to take place.
Other forms of monitoring include quarterly financial returns, a quarterly progress report and statistical information on contact with families and children. The qualitative and quantitative information which is being gathered by both 16
the DHSSPS and the Child Care Partnership plus the evaluations of the project will ensure that the programme and services provided by the 6 projects meet the needs of families and children in their area.
The first phase of funding for Sure Start will finish on 31 March 2003 however, it is anticipated that further funding from the DHSSPS will be available after that date.
4.7 Enabling Ability Research
The Western Area Child Care Partnership and the Disability Sub-group of the Children and Young Peoples Committee commissioned research into the needs of families and children with a disability in the Western Board area.
This research has been completed with two documents.
The first is a substantial research document which will have limited circulation but can be used for reference purposes.
The second is an enhanced Executive Summary including all the findings and recommendations of the research entitled “Enabling Ability”.
During 2001 the Disability Sub-group developed a draft strategy for children with a disability in the Western board and consulted widely on this.
It is planned to launch the strategy and the “Enabling Ability” research jointly in the Spring of 2002.
These 2 initiatives will be the basis for the planning and implementation of services for children with a disability and their families in the Western Board area.
There are a number of recommendations recommended in the Enabling Ability Report which are directly relevant to the Early Years Child Care Field.
These include:
Recommendation No.2
“Provide parents and service providers with the necessary information on conditions and services to enable them to best support children with disabilities. One method would be through the development of service directories.”
Recommendation No.4
“Services should be planned to take account of the needs of the whole family.”
Recommendation No.5
“Services should be an integral part of mainstream services for children.”
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Recommendation No.6
“A range of services should be accessible locally.”
Recommendation No.8
“Review existing respite care options which are available and encourage the development of flexible services.”
Recommendation No.12
“Service provision should be designed and developed with the active involvement of children and their families.”
Recommendation No.13
“Monitor and evaluate the quality of services, including using consumer representatives in a meaningful way.”
Recommendation No.16
“There should be active collaboration and coordination of services between and across all provider agencies.”
Recommendation No.17
“Strengthen the links between Health and Social Services, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Education and Library Boards.”
These recommendations need to be considered with the Strategy for Children with a Disability and the planning of future services and provision for children with a disability and their family needs to take them into account.
Copies of the “Enabling Ability” research document can be obtained from
Mr Colm Elliott, Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator,
Western Health and Social Services Board,
15 Gransha Park,
Clooney Road, Derry,
BT47 6 FN,
Telephone 02871 86 00 86
or
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5 . INFORMATION
5.1 Demographic and Labour Market Data
The Partnership’s catchment area encompasses the district council areas of Limavady, Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Fermanagh.
The Western area has a population of 282,000 over an area of almost 5,000 sq kms from Limavady in the North to Enniskillen in the South.
Table 2.
Map of Western Board showing under-18 population by district council
• The district includes large urban areas including Northern Ireland’s second largest city together with some of the most remote rural areas.
The WHSSB’s Area is a border region with the North Western Health Board servicing the population further to the West in Donegal.
• Levels of deprivation, both rural and urban are amongst the worst in Northern Ireland as confirmed by the recent Measure of Deprivation Report, 2001.
The population of the the Western Board has more young and fewer old people than the Northern Ireland averages Limavady Council Area <18 Population - 9,484
Strabane Council Area <18 Population - 10,879
Derry Council Area <18 Population - 33,865
Omagh Council Area <18 Population - 14,318
Fermanagh Council Area <18 Population - 16,364
Limavady
Dungiven
Omagh
Irvinestown
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Strabane
Castlederg
Londonderry
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5.2 Population of Children/Young People in the West
5.2.1 Under 18 Population of the District Councils within WHSSB
Based on mid-year estimates supplied by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency a further breakdown of the population of children and young people in the Western Area is set out below.
Table 3.
Number of children within each age range by district council Age Band Fermanagh Limavady Derry Omagh Strabane Total
0-4 4,040 2,355 8,785 3,440 2,898 21,518
5-9 4,391 2,674 9,251 3,810 2,801 22,927
10-14 4,921 2,818 9,860 4,348 3,225 25,172
15-17 3,012 1,637 5,969 2,720 1,955 15,293
Total 0-14 13,352 7,847 27,896 11,598 8,924 69,617
Total <18 16,364 9,484 33,865 14,318 10,879 84,910
Source: NISRA Mid-Year Estimates, 2000
The Western Area has a higher than average proportion of its population under the age of 18, 30% compared with the Northern Ireland average of 27.1%.
The percentage of young people varies within each council area with Derry Council area having the highest (31.7%) See table below.
Table 4.
Percentage of Population Under 18 by Council Area.
Council Derry Limavady Strabane Omagh Fermanagh
% under 18 31.7% 29.8% 28.8% 30% 28.4%
The 1991 Census provides a more detailed breakdown of the numbers of children at smaller geographical areas (electoral wards).
The figures from the Census are however out of date and data from the 2001 Census will not be available until 2003.
In order to estimate the numbers of 0-14 at ward level, estimates have been given in Appendix IV based on the numbers of children aged 0-14 in receipt of child benefit.
5.2.2 Population Trends
While the population as a whole will continue to increase over the coming years the number of children under 18 is decreasing in all Boards. Between 1998 and 2013 NISRA project a 12% decrease in the population of children across Northern Ireland.
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The Western Board area will however have the lowest decrease of 8.42% over this same time period.
Table 5.
Mid Year Population Estimates for children 0-14 years during 1990’s
Age Band 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
0-4 24410 23902 23466 23038 22505 22438 22237 22125 21940
5-9 25311 25451 25372 25132 24915 24686 24206 23833 23395
10-14 24850 25111 25405 25670 25409 25495 25664 25613 25349
Within the Western Board local government districts the largest decrease in he number of children (1998 – 2013) is projected to be in the Omagh District (15.66%) with the lowest decrease in Strabane (5.51%).
Over the same period Derry city council area is projected to have the largest increase in the number of people of working age and the WHSSB will have the highest increase among the 4 Boards.
Table 6.
The graph illustrates the ongoing decrease in the child population within the Western area.
This continuing decrease will impact upon planning for the provision of early years services.
It is important, particularly with limited resources, that the services are targeted at areas where children need them.
It is inevitable that there will be displacement of existing services as the under 14 population decreases.
5.3 Deprivation within the Western Area
It is possible to identify the areas of highest deprivation with WHSSB from information, which is currently available such as the Noble Index.
Under 18 Population Change 1991 - 2000
19000
20000
21000
22000
23000
24000
25000
26000
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
0-4
5-9
10-14
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This information will be supplemented over the coming years with data from a number of sources.
These include rural indicators being developed by the Rural Development Council and from the Census data which is due to be published in 2003.
5.4 Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland 2001
The Robson Index of Deprivation highlighted areas of high deprivation across Northern Ireland.
This analysis has been updated by the recently published Northern Ireland Measures of Deprivation Report (Noble), which was published in June 2001.
The Noble Report provides a ward by ward analysis of deprivation across a number of domains.
The measures of deprivation are based on the premise that multiple deprivation is made up of separate dimensions, or “domains” of deprivation.
These domains reflect different aspects of deprivation.
Each domain is made up of a number of indicators, which cover aspects of this deprivation as comprehensively as possible.
Deprivation is measured using the following domains:
Income (and Child Poverty Index)
Employment
Health Deprivation and Disability
Education, Skills and Training
Geographical Access to Services
Social Environment and Housing
Each electoral ward is ranked on the basis of deprivation (for example a ward with a rank of 1 will represent the most deprived, while a ward with a rank of 566 will be the least deprived.
The Noble Index is based on the old electoral ward boundaries, which were in place at the time of the 1991 Census.
These boundaries were re-drawn in 1992. Examples of some of the domains used in the study are set out below.
5.4.1 Multiple Deprivation Measure
This measure incorporates the rankings from all the different domains and gives an overall rank for each ward.
A weighting is given for each of the different domains to arrive at the overall rank.
(See Map Appendix V - The top 33 deprived wards - MDM in WHSSB).
There are 33 wards from the Western Area in the overall 100 most deprived wards in NI. A full list of the Western Area wards and their multiple deprivation measure ranks are set out in Appendix V.
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5.4.2 Child Poverty Index (subset of Income Domain)
This Index ranks wards based on the number of dependants living in households claiming a number of means tested benefits (such as Income Support, Job Seekers allowance).
The Index clearly demonstrates a high level of Child Poverty within the West.
The 3 most deprived wards in Northern Ireland in relation to child poverty are located in urban areas of Derry City. A full list of Western Area wards and their ranks are set out in Appendix V (See Map - The top 33 deprived wards – Child Poverty in WHSSB)
5.4.3 Geographical Access to Services
This Index ranks wards based on their proximity to a range of services such as a post office, GP surgery, Accident and Emergency Hospital, dentist etc).
As expected the rural areas of Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh score highly (most deprived).
Rural wards within the Western area account for 6 of the 10 most deprived wards within Northern Ireland. A full list of Western Area wards are set out in Appendix V (See Map - The top 33 deprived wards - access in WHSSB)
The Noble Indicators are important in providing an analysis of deprivation across Northern Ireland.
A further piece of research is also currently underway which will provide more information on demography, economic structure and social activity of rural areas.
The Rural Development Council are undertaking a Rural Baselining Initiative.
The project will examine indicators such as:
demographic composition and change,
housing and property,
sense of community and community life and
availability of services and activities.
This study will provide a useful indication of levels of deprivation in rural areas of the Western Board.
In order to plan effectively and equitably it is essential to use all available data. The Nobel Indicators and the RDC research will complement each other and will help to ensure services are targeted at both urban and rural areas.
5.5 Rurality
The Western Board is the most rural of the 4 Boards which creates many additional problems when planning and delivering services.
These include:
Access to services even when they are available
Transport problems (a poor road system, lack of public transport, practically no railway system within the area and lack of access to privates cars)
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Considerable distances between the main towns in the area
The additional cost incurred in providing services to isolated areas.
Families and children living in isolated rural communities are often the ones who require the services most, yet cannot access them.
This is extremely important when planning services particularly in relation to equality of opportunity and targeting social need.
Children First states:
"The Government wants to ensure that a range of good quality childcare is available in every community…."
The Cross-border Rural Child Care Project provided examples of how communities could develop services to meet their own particular needs.
Examples of best practice can be learnt from this project and used as part of the planning framework for rural childcare services.
5.6 Other Issues
5.6.1 Information Officer
The Partnership has appointed an information officer with a remit to support the information requirements of the Partnership.
The information officer will develop and maintain a website on behalf of the Partnership and support the local Sure Start projects in addition to meeting the information requirements of Children’s Planning processes.
5.6.2. Website
The Childcare Partnership is in the process of developing a website, which will make information more accessible to the public. The site will hold details of all early years provision in the Western Area including day nurseries, crèches, playgroups etc.
In addition a range of other information will be provided including background to the childcare partnership,
useful statistics,
links to other childcare websites and publications which can be downloaded.
The address for the website is www.childcare-west.org
5.6.3 Information Leaflet
The Child Care Partnership has developed an information leaflet which informs on:
Membership
Purpose
Key tasks
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Funding
Achievements 2001-02
Contact details.
This leaflet will be available to any individual or organisation working within the sector or with an interest in childcare.
5.6.4 Newsheet
The partnership, as a means of keeping organisations and individuals informed will develop a quarterly newsheet for dissemination. The content will include information on:
The Partnership and its work
Examples of work undertaken by providers
Examples of best practice
New policies
Upcoming events, conferences, training etc.
5.6.5 Consultation
The Partnership will continue to develop mechanisms for consultation on a range of issues including the Child Care Plan and its Reviews, new Government initiatives and policies, funding and general topics relating to childcare.
5.6.6 Representation on Groups
As the new structure of the Partnership develops representation on all sub-committees, local early years fora and short-term working groups will be sought and encouraged from individuals who have an interest or expertise in the relevant subject matter.
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6 ASSESSMENT OF NEED
6.1 Current Levels of Child Care Provision
This section aims to identify the current levels and location of early years provision across the WHSSB’s area.
Information is provided for the following groups:
Crèches
Day Nurseries
Playgroups
Out of School Clubs
Childminders
The information provided on day nurseries, playgroups, out of school clubs and childminders will be more robust as registration with the local Trust is compulsory.
Registration of crèches is currently at a very early stage the data will not therefore reflect the true number of these groups providing a service.
Further information on the provision of statutory nursery places at lower geographical areas is available from WELB.
In order to estimate the current levels of childcare provision within WHSSB,
information has been drawn from a number of sources:
Information on childcare facilities registered with Foyle and Sperrin/ Lakeland Trusts, and
Information supplied by the WELB on PEAG funded statutory nursery places.
The Trust also publishes Article 20 reviews which give more details on services. More detailed information on services can be obtained from the Article 20 Reviews.
6.1.1 Crèches
A crèche provides play opportunities for a short period of time (usually 2 hours) during the day while parents either shop, undertake a leisure activity or attend a training course.
As mentioned above the process of registration of crèches is at an early stage. Information on the total number of places is therefore not yet available.
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The table below lists the crèches, which are currently registered across the Board’s area. Table 7. Crèches in WHSSB area.
WHSSB No of Crèches (registered)
Derry 20
Strabane 1
Limavady 6
Omagh 4
Fermanagh 1
6.1.2 Day Nurseries
Day Nurseries provide full day care for the length of the working day (max 9 hours) for children under 5 whose parents are working or for other reasons require this facility.
An analysis of the location of day nursery places is set out in Table 8.
It is clear that there is under provision of day nurseries in the Strabane locality.
In addition there are a significant number of rural wards with little or no day nursery provision.
6.1.3 Playgroups
Playgroups provide sessional daycare for children aged 3 – school going age for usually 2.5 hours per day to a maximum of 4 hours.
An analysis is provided in Table 8 of the number of playgroup places by locality across the Western Area. From the information provided it is clear that Strabane and Derry have the lowest number of places per 1000 of the population.
6.1.4 Out of School Groups
Out of School groups provide a care setting usually for 2 - 3 hours after school, where children are cared for by adults, where the parent is not available.
Other forms of Out of School provision include breakfast clubs, wraparound services and summer schemes.
The number of Out of School places has been continuing to rise over the past number of years.
Out of School services began with a very low baseline, however, the numbers have risen significantly due mainly to funding from Playcare and NOF. Derry Locality currently 27
has the lowest number of Out of School places per 1000 of the population.
6.1.5 Naiscoil
There has been continuing development in the number of Naiscoil (Irish medium) places available over the past number of years.
The figures for Naiscoil are included in the playgroup and out of school analysis.
6.1.6 Childminders
Childminders provide full daycare for children under school age and sessional care for school going children.
There are 455 registered childminders across the WHSSB’s area with the highest rate per 1000 places being in the Limavady area.
There are also a high number of unregistered childminders, normally grandparents or aunts.
The Trust and NICMA are constantly encouraging all childminders to become registered.
6.1.7 Home Base Services
A number of organisations and programmes provide a range of services to families within their own homes.
These include Lifestart, Homestart and Health Visiting.
These services provide alternative services to meet the needs of families and young children and are complementary to other centre based provision.
This home based work has been further developed within the Sure Start projects and has made a significant contribution not only to the Sure Start Programme, but to the availability of choice for families.
Home based programmes often don’t receive the recognition they deserve for the excellent work they have undertaken.
They are neglected when allocating grants and funding because they cannot easily be categorised.
It is essential that this is addressed to ensure that they receive an equitable share of funding and recognition for their work.
They have on many occasions led the way in “monitoring and evaluating” their work.
This good practice could be replicated in other areas of childcare practice.
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The Partnership recognised the contribution they have made and will ensure that they have access to equitable resources for their programme.
6.2 Mapping of Provision
Provision of playgroup, day nursery and out of school groups has been made available at ward cluster areas (see Table 8)
This mapping exercise is based on the postcode of each of the groups.
This lower level information when mapped together with the data provided in the Noble Report will assist in the process of identifying both areas of highest need and gaps in current provision.
Information is also provided at locality level across the Board.
These profiles provide a breakdown of early provision across the 5 localities within the Western Area. (See Appendix III)
6.3 Identifying gaps in provision at smaller Geographical Areas
The table below illustrates how it will be possible to begin the process of identifying areas where there is under-provision of early years services.
The table maps the provision of day nursery, out of school and playgroup places by ward clusters.
The ward clusters are homogenous areas as identified by the Western Education and Library Board.
This process is important as there is continuing expansion to housing developments especially in urban areas.
The use of a geographical information system will assist the process of identifying those areas with high populations of young people and limited or no provision.
This information is based on early years places which are registered with the local health and Social Services Trusts.
A further analysis of PEEP funded funded nursery places is available in the Pre-School Education Advisory Group’s Annual Report (December 2001).
Table 8. Early Years provision by Electoral Ward Clusters DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA
WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Places
Day Nursery Places
DERRY C''VAGH,F'SPRINGS,S'TOWN 96 38
ENAGH(DERRY)/EGLINTON 81 16 62
NEW BUILDINGS 48 30
CLAUDY 24 20
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ALTNAGELVIN 24 40 30
CULMORE 12 8 42
BANAGHER 48
BRANDYWELL,DIAMOND 63 45
HOLLY MOUNT 20
C'HILL,P'BURN,S.EAST,BALLYNASHALLOG 126
BEECHWOOD,C.CENTRAL,C.SOUTH,ROSEMOUNT,STRAND,
WESTLAND 133 64 63
SHANTALLOW WEST 72
C'DERMOT,EBRINGTON,LISNAGELVIN,
VICTORIA,CAW,KILFENNAN 162
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
LIMAVADY GREYSTEEL 24
COOLESSAN,ENAGH(LIM),GREYSTONE,RATHBRADY,ROESIDE 71 44
FOREST AGHANLOO 24 43
DUNGIVEN,UPPER GLENSHANE,HIGHLANDS,FEENY 210 16 30
MAGILLIGAN 24
BALLYKELLY/GLACK 88 56
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Places
Day Nursery Places
FERMANAGH
BALLINAMALLARD,
LISNARRICK,
IRVINESTOWN 116 40 122
KESH,EDERNEY AND LACK 22 24
CASTLECOOLE,ERNE,DEVENISH,PORTORA,ROSSORRY 140 24 45
DERRYGONNELLY 40
BELCOO AND GARRISON 46
TEMPO 24
FLORENCE COURT AND KINAWLEY 22 22
MAGUIRESBRIDGE 24
LISBELLAW 32 20
DONAGH 24
BOHO, CLEENISH AND LETTERBREEN 54 16
NEWTOWNBUTLER 22 20
DERRYLIN 26 24
BELLEEK AND BOA 24 50
30
LISNASKEA 20 16
ROSSLEA 24
BROOKEBOROUGH 20
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
OMAGH COOLNAGARD,DERGMONEY,GORTRUSH,LISANELLY,STRUL
E,K'CLOGHER,DRUMRAGH,CAMOWEN 206 92 77
DRUMNAKILLY,TERMON 48 46
BERAGH,SIXMILECROSS 54 48 20
OWENKILLEW,GORTIN 90 16
TRILLICK 18 16 33
DRUMQUIN 24
DROMORE 26
FAIRY WATER 16
NEWTOWNSAVILLE 42
CLANABOGAN 20
FINTONA 48
DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA WARDNAME Playgroup Places
Out of School Day Nursery Places
STRABANE ARTIGARVAN,SLIEVEKIRK 48 24
BALLYCOLMAN,EAST,NORTH,SOUTH,WEST 103 16
NEWTOWNSTEWART 26
FINN,SION MILLS,VICTORIA BRIDGE 72
DUNNAMANAGH 33 25
CASTLEDERG,CLARE,GLENDERG 74 72
PLUMBRIDGE 24
The Partnership and the early years teams will analyse further the information contained in the above tables and will match this against the number of children in the different age groups in each ward.
This will help the Partnership prioritise and target services to the areas which need them most.
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7.QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
One of the central principles of "Children First" is the development of high quality childcare services.
It states "The Government wants to ensure that all childcare is of good quality so that it meets children's development needs and parents can have confidence in it."
The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance/Quality Development Sub-group, intends to develop a strategy/action plan which will help improve the already high standards within the childcare sector in the Western Board area.
Some of this work is ongoing and will be continued and developed further and new initiatives will be introduced.
7.1 Training
In autumn 1998 the first phase of the Training Bursary Initiative from the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) became operational.
This initiative was delivered through the Western Area Early Years Committee and co-ordinated through the WAEYC Training Sub Group who recruited a NVQ/Training Co-ordinator to oversee the project.
With support from the WHSSB Training Team the WAEYC were able to facilitate the training needs of a high percentage of practitioners in the childcare sector wishing to access funding to attain a qualification.
The funding from SSI focused on NVQ levels II and III, while the additional funds were allocated to a variety of other qualifications.
The second phase of the initiative began in September 1999 with funding from the Social Services Training Team, an allocation from the Childhood Fund and funding from SSI. All of this work was co-ordinated through the Training Sub Group.
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Table 9 below gives a breakdown of the grants awarded.
Western Health & Social Services Board Training Bursaries Initiative
September 1998 to September 2000
SPERRIN LAKELAND FOYLE TRUST
SECTOR EY
II
EY
III
PW
II
PW
III
BA (Hons)
D32/
D33
UKU High Scop e
EY
II
EY
III
PW
II
PW
III
High Scope
BTECH
EY
HNC D32/
D33
Totals
Childminders 5 11 - - - - - 11 4 - - - - - 1 32
Playgroup - 10 3 2 - 10 - - 1 - - 26
Statutory - 2 - - - - 2 2 5 8 1 - 20
Creche - 3 - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - 7
Private - 3 - - - - - - - 7 - - - - - - 10
Out Of School 9 5 - - - - 3 - 2 2 - - - - 21
TOTALS 5 29 9 5 3 2 2 2 14 25 2 2 5 9 1 - 116
SPERRIN LAKELAND = 57 FOYLE TRUST = 59
The Bursary initiative is now drawing to a close and all monies allocated have been spent and the majority of funded candidates have completed their qualifications.
A full evaluation of the project can be obtained from the WACCP report “Vocational Qualifications in Early Years Care and Education and Playwork” available from the Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator or on the WACCP's website.
Strong relationships have been built up with the Training Providers to ensure that the courses and training they provide meets the standards required by the Childcare Sector.
The Training Sub-committee has developed a Directory of Training Providers which is available from the Child Care Partnership Co-ordinator or the website.
The work initiated through the Training Bursary Project has raised the profile of the childcare both within the sector and with policy makers. Major benefits in terms of additional training bursaries and the Training Strategy have resulted, but more work is required.
The Partnership in April 2000 recognised the need to regularly review its strategy in relation to the needs of children and their families.
The development of a quality childcare sector plays a major part in this strategy. The remit of the Training Sub-committee will change from specifically training orientated to Quality Assurance and Development.
This change will reflect the outcomes of the original project and the need to ensure that training contributes to a broader developmental process for practitioners, groups and the children and families using them.
The group will require the development of a set of policies and procedures to overarch the work to be undertaken.
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It is essential that any funding available be utilized in the most effective manner possible.
Links with funding bodies will be essential to avoid duplication and waste. The links to current national and international strategies will also be essential to ensure that the overall outcomes provide a blanket of quality services.
Table 10 below outlines current funding available for Childcare Training.
The Bursary scheme is one of the most successful projects undertaken by the Partnership. There is now a workforce trained to recommended levels, however it is essential to build on this.
The next training phase will include:
Maintenance of the workforce at least to the recommended levels:
Training of staff to NVQ IV and Degree Level;
Identifying specialist training including work with children with special needs, child protection and first aid;
Capacity building with management committees;
Specialist training for staff working in Sure Start projects.
If the successes already achieved are to be maintained it is essential for the Partnership to develop a long-term training strategy including identifying future funding sources.
7.2 Good Practice Network
The Child Care Partnership, through the Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group will build on the links it has with the Good Practice Network.
It will continue to share best practice and Available Data on Current Funding in Early Years Care & Education February 2002
EDUCATION BOARD
21% EMPLOYER
4% SELF
4% OTHER
50% ESF
2% NEW DEAL
3% JOBSKILLS
7% WORKTRACK
3% ENTERPRISE
ULSTER 4% DEL
2% ILA
0%
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disseminate this information, not only to the Limavady District Council Area but to all areas within the Western Board. The Partnership will also make contact with the other 2 Good Practice Networks within Northern Ireland to learn from their models of best practice.
7.3 Registration and inspection
There are 2 main bodies who are responsible for the registration and inspection of childcare provision.
These are the Early years Teams within the Trusts and the Education and Training Inspectorate. The role of the Trusts Early Years Teams is to register all childcare facilities and to inspect them regularly to ensure they continue to meet the quality standards which have been set.
It is important to acknowledge that the standards set by the Early Years Teams is the minimum requirement and all groups are encouraged to aim for higher standards within their settings.
The Education and Training Inspectorate inspect pre-school providers (statutory, voluntary and private) who are part of the Pre-school Education expansion Programme.
Inspections or visits are also made to providers who are in accredited programmes such as High Scope and Effective Early Learning. This can result in providers receiving advice from 3 different sources and in a small percentage of cases this advice can be contradictory. A series of meetings have been arranged between the different agencies to try to co-ordinate the expectations of the inspecting agencies.
It is important to note that with new funding streams creating a range of new provision all of which has to be registered and inspected by the Trusts Early Years Teams an additional burden has been placed upon them with the result that they are finding it difficult to meet their statutory requirements. This should be considered as part of the review of resources.
7.4 Accreditation of Early Years Services
One of the most effective methods of improving quality standards is to encourage providers to have their services accredited.
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Umbrella Organisations such as NIPPA have an accreditation process for member groups.
Throughout the process of assessment, which entails meeting Benchmark Standards, groups are supported by their NIPPA Advisors.
NIPPA also promotes quality programmes such as Highscope, Effective Early Learning and the Reggio Emelia approach to learning.
7.5 Monitoring and evaluation
Much work has been undertaken recently on monitoring and evaluating projects and their practice.
This has been particularly significant within the Sure Start projects which have included a range of models of monitoring and evaluation to help ensure high quality services.
The Child Care Partnership in co-operation with the statutory and voluntary sectors will promote monitoring and evaluation of all services as a method of improving quality provision.
This will be in addition to the registration and inspection processes undertaken by the Trusts and the Education and Training Inspectorate.
7.6 Other developments
As part of the strategy/action plan the Partnership will develop other initiatives.
These will include:
Funding/planning pilot projects to improve quality standards;
Sharing and learning from best practice locally, regionally, nationally and internationally;
Attending conferences, seminars and workshops;
Exchange visits.
The importance of improving quality standards cannot be overestimated therefore the Partnership intends to invest heavily both financially and with other available resources in this area of work.
February 2002
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8 FUNDING
During the last 5 years significant amounts of funding have been put into the Childcare Sector from a range of different funders.
This funding has included capital, staffing, revenue and training. This has eased the burden on organisations who, before that, spent a high percentage of their time in fundraising exercises.
A lot of energy was put into small fundraising schemes such as jumble sales and raffles with only minimum returns from these ventures. The result of Peace and Reconciliation Funding from the European Union and other sources has meant that groups can now concentrate their time and energy into providing a quality programme for the children who use their services.
With additional funding there also comes more accountability. This has meant that groups now have to keep very precise and up to date records of all financial transactions and return these to the funders at the end of the financial year.
The Partnership has recognised that this has been a problem for many management committees who do not have the capacity to undertake this work.
It is therefore essential that training is provided for members of management committees to ensure that they are properly skilled in financial accountability.
The main sources of funding for the child care sector are outlined below.
8.1 Childhood Fund
Under Peace I NIPPA has played a central role in the delivery of this major European Union investment, the Childhood Fund brought a much-needed injection of revenue and capital funding.
In total under the first round of Peace funding, 277 projects within the Western Board Area have received funding.
Over the lifespan of the programme the Childhood Fund awarded £ 4,329,926 within the Area, broken down as follows:
Table 11. Childhood Fund grants
Type of funding Number of projects Amount
Revenue 259 3,102,089
Capital 18 1,227,837
Total 277 4,329,926
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Awards were made to projects for an array of activities which ranged from revenue grants towards running costs, training and much need salary costs, to major capital awards for, outdoor play areas, renovation of existing buildings as well as numerous new buildings within the area.
The first round of Peace funding built a strong foundation, whilst Peace II provides the sector with opportunities to develop what has been achieved to date and continue the process of building a vibrant early years infrastructure which meets the needs of children, parents and communities in Northern Ireland.
Under Peace II arrangements, NIPPA have again been selected to deliver two actions through the Peace II programme, listed under Priority 2 Social Inclusion and Integration, which is delivered under two headings:
Measure 2.5 Investing in childcare
Measure 2.8 Accompanying Infrastructure and Equipment Support
As a result £9 million will be made available to enhance and develop high quality community based early years services and promote intervention as an effective means of combating educational underachievement, poverty and social exclusion.
Peace II provides opportunities for Northern Irelands Youngest Citizens, their families and communities to come together, to develop Peace and address the legacy of the past conflict.
For information on Peace II funding, visit the NIPPA and European
Structural Funds website at:
www.nippa.org
www.eugrants.org
8.2 Play Care
PlayClubs funded under Peace I continued to operate during 2001. Of the 19 clubs funded, 3 were awarded GAP funding of varying time spans.
All groups in receipt of Peace I funding completed their claims in July 2001.
The table below shows the funding order measures 1.3 and 1.4.
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Table 12. Playcare measures 1.3 and 1.4.
1.3 1.4
Awarded £822,928.09 £88,038.04
Allocated £795,870.12 £86,908.04
All clubs were supported to look at their sustainability and exit strategies.
Most clubs applied to the New Opportunity Fund and 16 were successful in obtaining further funding. Some clubs have now been awarded continuation funding for Year 2 and 3.
Clubs were also supported in building up their capacity through revising fees and linking with government in initiatives such as Working Family Tax Credit.
The PlayCare Development Officer continues to work with PlayClubs and Local Government Agencies, Social Services and Local Development Associations.
PlayBoard have once again been awarded as an Intermediary Funding Body (IFB) for Peace II.
PlayBoard will be involved in the administration of £3m to PlayClubs over the next 4 years.
Funding allocation comes under the 1.5 funding “Positive Action for Women”. This funding will be allocated in two rounds.
The call for applications opened in Jan 2002 and closed on 11 Feb 2002.
Funding is available to all existing Play Clubs and to communities wishing to open new clubs. The table below outlines the funding for sustaining PlayClubs funded under Peace I and the allocation for new projects under Peace II for each Partnership area.
Table 13.
Peace II funding for Playcare per Partnership.
Board Area 20% of allocation for new projects
80% for sustaining clubs from Peace I Total
EHSSB 37% £111,000 £444,000 £555,000
WHSSB 22% £66,000 £264,000 £330,000
NHSSB 21% £63,000 £252,000 £315,000
SHSSB 20% £60,000 £240,000 £300,000
TOTAL £300,000 £1,200,000 £1,500,000
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8.3 New Opportunities Fund (NOF)
The New Opportunities Fund was established as a lottery distributor in 1999 with £9.9 million available for out of school hours childcare across Northern Ireland.
The Western Area Child Care Partnership has an allocation of 22% of this figure which is approximately £2million. A total of 2,264 places were to be created with this funding.
There are 2 routes for applications.
These are single route applications capped at a maximum award of £50,000 and a consortium route with no ceiling but based on unit cost of approximately £550 per place.
In order to deliver this programme, the Partnership funded a development worker from EYDF which was managed by PlayBoard.
The role of the development worker is to:
Assist the Child Care Partnership in developing and implementing a local strategy for out of school hours child care
Identify need within local communities for out of school provision linked to NOF target areas
Contribute to and make use of a mapping system to effectively use NOF resources in Northern Ireland
Support, advise and develop local communities with an interest in applying to NOF
Promote the concept of integrated provision of play, care and education and develop demonstration models of excellence
Identify the training and developing needs of emerging projects
Work with community groups to enhance the quality of services they offer and to ensure financial viability for schemes and promote effective exit strategies.
Within the Western Board area there has been a high level of interest in NOF funding.
To date, over 38 groups have been funded with 2 groups already extending out of school provision further.
The table below shows the number of groups, number of places and amount of money allocated by District Council Area.
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Table 14. NOF Out of School funding by district council area.
Council No. of Groups No. of Places Amounts
Derry 9 528 307,455
Fermanagh 10 620 357,621
Omagh 10 530 321,637
Limavady 4 296 98,721
Strabane 5 272 125,078
TOTALS 38 2246 1,210,512
Continuation 6 164,773
TOTAL SPEND £1,375,285
NOF funding in the Western Board area has been allocated to a variety of types of provision.
These have included breakfast clubs, wraparound services, out of schools, holiday care and childminders. Of the groups currently receiving NOF funding, 16 have previously been in receipt of Playcare grants.
NICMA has been able to use NOF funding for set up grants to support childminders in establishing their businesses and becoming registered.
The table below gives a breakdown of these grants and the number of children minded in the Western Board area.
Table 15. NICMA Start Up Grants.
Number of Grants
Under 5 Child Care Places Created
Over 5 Child Care Places Created
Total Places Created
Foyle 93 130 100 323
Sperrin / Lakeland Omagh 33 48 30 111
Sperrin / Lakeland Enniskillen 31 34 27 92
Total 157 212 157 526
Recent changes to NOF awards has extended the number of years groups can receive NOF funding.
Initially only groups situated in the 5% most deprived wards could receive second and third year funding. This has now been extended to the 25% most deprived wards. It is likely that approximately 90% of Western NOF groups can access second and third year awards.
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With applications for funding not ending until February 2003 it is anticipated that the target of 2,664 new places in the Western Board area will be exceeded.
The New Opportunities Fund has recently announced further funding for out of schools for 4-14 year olds and also for services for children from 0-3 years.
A new amount of £9million is likely to result in additional funding being available for one year funded out of school projects in areas which are more sustainable and increased revenue funding for second and third year existing groups for second and third year grants.
Of the existing NOF groups approximately 33 are likely to be eligible for second and third year funding. Currently 5 recipient groups have been successful in obtaining continuation funding. Another 4 are awaiting confirmation of second and third year awards.
With the new £9million available in 2002 the likely allocation to the Western Area Child Care Partnership is outlined in the table below:
Table 16. Proposed NOF funding for 0-4 years and 4-14 years from 2002
AGE GROUPS WACCP PERCENTAGES TOTAL AMOUNT
0-3 years 22% £1,240,800
4-14years 22% £620,400
Total £1,861,200
Based on the financial projections and likely continuation spend across the area it will be possible to create approximately 10 new out of school clubs.
Considering where NOF funding has been allocated the following areas
have been targeted for new out of school developments:
Magilligan / Limavady Council area
Caw, Victoria and Clondermott wards - Derry City Council Area East
Shantallow East and West – Derry City Council Area West
South, East and Ballycolman, Strabane Town
Newtownstewart, Strabane Rural
Fintona and Dromore, Omagh Rural
Castlecool, Rossary and Portora, Enniskillen Town
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Derrygormley, Bellcoo and Garrison, Enniskillen Rural West
Rosslea and Brookborough, Enniskillen Rural East.
As well as identifying target areas for new development the Child Care Partnership will consider the following pieces of work:
An audit to identify further training needs
Capacity building to ensure business planning is central to existing providers action to ensure services remain sustainable after NOF funding
Further marketing needs to take place on Working Families Tax Credit to ensure families of middle to low income and Loan Parents have access to affordable child care
A joined up approach between services for 0-3 years and 4-14 years should allow NOF funding to create and sustain services, particularly in rural communities where infrastructure can be limited.
The Partnership needs to develop mechanisms to disseminate best practice.
To date, out of schools provision has been cross community and open to all. It is important therefore to ensure that groups have financial assistance to provide more integrated childcare places for special needs and vulnerable children.
The new NOF programme for children from 0-3 years will provide capital funding for groups. It is important for the Partnership to ensure that funding from other sources is available for revenue costs for groups to ensure their long term financial stability.
This has been enhanced by the different selection panels of the Child Care Partnerships being reconstituted as Strategic Funding Panel.
8.4 Early Years Development Fund
The Child Care Partnerships are allocated financial assistance from the DHSS&PS through the Early Years Development Fund.
This funding is to aid the partnerships in infrastructural support for their work.
During 2001- 2002 Early Years Development Fund was used for the following: Support the staffing needs of the Partnership
Provide funding for local Early Years fora
Commission and publish research into the needs of children with disabilities and their families
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Commission the Parents Advice Centre to undertake work with parents groups to ensure consultation with parents so that their views and needs can be expressed
Funding for training
A grant aid scheme for voluntary organisations working with children with special needs (26 grants allocated).
The Early Years Development Fund is a small allocation of money to the Partnership however, it has enabled the Partnership to, not only support its infrastructure, but to provide grants to organisations working with a range of different groups.
In planning how to allocate future funding EYDF will come under the umbrella of the Strategic Funding Panel and will complement funding from all the other sources available to the Child Care Partnership.
8.5 Other Funding Sources
There are a number of other funding sources which are available to the child care sector.
8.5.1 Health and Social Services Trust
Both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts provide Grant Aid to playgroups. This grant aid is limited and has not been increased over the last number of years.
It is targeted at groups who do not receive PEAG places.
8.5.2 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG)
The Pre-Education Expansion Programme commenced in 1998.
The aim of the Western Education and Library Board’s (WELB) Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) is to provide quality education places for children in their pre-school year.
The objective of the Pre-School Education Advisory Group is to provide additional places, in a range of settings in the voluntary, private and statutory nursery sectors. Children from socially disadvantaged circumstances and the oldest pre-school 4 year olds (those with July or August birthdays) will be given priority in the first instance.
The longer term aim is to provide a full year of pre-school education for any child whose parents wish it.
There are 1270 funded places available in the voluntary/private sector under the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme.
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Recurrent funding of approximately £1.5million will be allocated to voluntary and private providers in the programme every year.
The PEEP has established 36 new nursery units, 9 of which are Community Nursery Units. The final 8 nursery units will be opening in September 2002.
The table below indicates by District Council Area the Department of Education Expected Provision and the proposed provision by 2002.
Table 17. PEAG funded places and percentages.
District Council Area P1
Population Department of Education
Expected Provision Department of Education
Expected Provision as % of P1
Population Proposed Provision by 2002
Proposed Provision as % of P1
Population
Omagh 741 621 83.8 639 86.2
Fermanagh 805 670 83.2 690 85.7
Strabane 563 481 85.4 527 93.6
Limavady 485 404 83.3 395 81.4
Derry 1738 1508 86.8 1660 95.5
8.5.3 Local Strategic Partnerships
The District Partnerships have been restructured in preparation for Peace II as Local Strategic Partnerships.
Similar to District Partnerships there is one in each of the 5 District council areas in the Western Board area. The LSP’s will consider applications for funding from childcare providers under the Peace II initiative.
It is important to ensure that there is communication between the Local Strategic Partnerships and other funders, particularly Childhood Fund and Playcare to ensure that the grants which they allocate are complementary and not duplication.
8.5.4 The Community Fund
The National Lottery Charity Board has changed its name to the Community Fund and offers grants to childcare providers.
8.5.5 BBC Children In Need
The BBC Children in Need has provided significant funding to the childcare sector since its inception.
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8.5.6 Londonderry Regeneration Initiative (LRI)
LRI Funding for the childcare sector is allocated through the Western Health and Social Services Board and applications for funding can be made directly to the Director of Social Care, WHSSB. It only provides funding within the Derry City Council area.
8.5.7 Children's Fund
The Children's Fund will be launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2002 and will provide funding for both the statutory and voluntary sectors for the creation of services for children.
8.5.8 Trust Funds
There are a number of Trust Funds which provide funding to the childcare sector in Northern Ireland.
8.6 Sustainability
Although the childcare sector has received considerable additional funding over the last number of years, practically all of this funding is short-term and the maximum term for grants are normally 2 to 3 years.
This has made long term financial planning very difficult for the groups working in the sector.
They are often required to give elaborate exit strategies however, their only source is the statutory sector which will not have funding for long term sustainability.
This has been recognised at Departmental level, child care partnership level and with groups on the ground.
The Children First Advisory Forum has established a working group to look at sustainability.
This group will report back its findings to CFAF and the Interdepartmental Group on Early Years during 2002.
It is important that planning for sustainability takes place at all levels therefore the Child Care Partnership will look at sustainability within the Western Board area and will consider the findings of the CFAF working group before deciding on a strategy.
One of the major issues at present is the report from NIPPA which identified 18 PEAG places per session as a viable number to make groups sustainable.
This exercise, although useful when it was initially carried out, is now out of date and was never meant as a definitive number for longterm sustainability even though it has been used in the planning and assessing of Peace II applications.
This should be re-evaluated in more depth to establish the true costs of providing childcare services.
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Groups on the ground must now begin to plan their longer term funding strategies, particularly in the light of Peace II being the last round of European funding.
The Child Care Partnership can aid this exercise by helping build capacity within management committees and local communities and helping them to identify alternative sources of funding when their current grants come to an end.
It is essential that all childcare funders create opportunities to meet and share their strategic planning. This will ensure a more joined up approach to funding which should help improve providers opportunities for sustainability.
The IDEGEY and Child Care Partnerships are in an ideal position to facilitate this sharing of information between funding bodies and have a number of examples of it.
This, however, needs to be built on if providers are to remain sustainable.
February 2002
Child Care Plan
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9 WORKPLAN FOR 2002 – 2005
Key Target Related Objectives
Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
1. Restructure the WACCP
a)To identify new members of the WACCP
Establish working group to consider involvement in WACCP of employers
Implement recommendations of Parents
Advice Centre Pilots on involvement in WACCP of employers
Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations
Induction for new members
All relevant sectors and interests will have a seat on the WACCP.
An induction policy for new members will be in place.
A mechanism for the involvement of employers and parents will be in place.
WACCP WACCP Chair Co-ordinator
b)To identify new members of substructure
Write to CEO’s of relevant organisations
Induction for new sub-structure members
All relevant sectors and interests will be involved in the sub-groups, local early years fora and working groups.
Chair Co-ordinator/Chair of Sub-Groups
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance
Indicators Lead Role
c)To agree Terms of Reference for all groups
Each sub-group to draft own Terms of Reference
Share with WACCP and redraft Each sub-group and working group will have its own terms of reference.
Convener/ members of subgroup Convener
d)To agree Partnership’s work programme for 2002-2003
Organise Planning day
Draft Action Plan
Implement Action Plan
The Partnership will have a timetable for its work and identified priorities and duties for completion of the various tasks.
Chair/Co-ordinator Facilitator WACCP
e) To identify support needs of the WACCP to carry out its duties
Agree staff required
Agree lead agency
Recruit staff when necessary
Induct staff
Develop work programme
EYDF Budget set for 2002-2003.
Employ necessary staff to facilitate the work of the Partnership.
All new staff members will have received induction.
WACCP WACCP Lead agency Lead agency Lead agency/WACCP
Child Care Plan
49
Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
2. Establish quality assurance framework
a) To develop and implement a quality assurance strategy
Draft strategy and endorse it
Implement strategy
A Quality Assurance Framework will be in place.
Quality Assurance/ Quality Development Group
b) To work in partnership with relevant bodies
Establish mechanisms for consultation with Early Years Teams, SSI, ETI and voluntary community care sector
Work with the Good Practice Network on the dissemination of information on best practice
Provide information on the website
Provide information in newsheet
Promote the registration of childminders
Regular meetings with EY Teams, SSI and ETI will have taken place.
Have agreed a process for sharing information from Good Practice Network.
Provided information on quality in the website.
Written and circulated 2 newsheets.
Agreed a mechanism for providing the registration of childminders.
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group Information Officer
Information Officer Quality Assurance- Development Group/NICMA
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c) To promote standards on good practice
Develop/share standards on best practice
Provide training on best practice
Encourage groups to have policies and procedures in place for all areas of practice
Identify training priorities, identified funding for training and provided grants.
Agreed policies and procedures all childcare providers should have in place.
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
Umbrella organisations Quality Assurance/Quality Development Group
d)To promote an ethos of monitoring and evaluating services
Ensure mechanisms are in place for monitoring financial and non-financial returns from Sure Start projects
Encourage all providers to monitor and evaluate their practice
Provide training on monitoring and evaluation Inspected quarterly financial and new financial monitoring reports for Sure Start.
A policy will be in place for promoting, monitoring and evaluation of practice. Developed a training programme on monitoring and evaluation.
WHSSB Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group
Quality Assurance / Quality Development sub-group
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Key Target Related Objectives
Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
3. Develop mechanisms for improving information within the Child Care sector
a)To ensure there is a two way flow of information between organisations / individuals within the sector
Develop / launch WACCP website
Develop / launch newsheet
Promote membership of local early years fora.
Provide opportunities for consultation
Build relationships with County childcare committees in Republic of Ireland
Website will be operational.
First 2 copies of newsheet will be published.
Have met representatives from county childcare committees and established regular forum.
Information Officer Co-ordinator
Co-ordinator WACCP Co-ordinator / Cross Border Rural Childcare Project
b)To provide statistical information to the Sector
Continue to update statistical information
Publish any new or amended information on the website
Regularly update information/ statistics/indicators of need/gaps in provision Regularly update information on website
Information Officer
Information Officer
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c)To develop a range of directories of services
Encourage all early years fora to publish directories of services
Publish Directory of Services of childcare training procedures
Each District Council area will have a directory of childcare services.
Information on training providers will be available to the sector.
Co-ordinator Quality Assurance / Quality Development subgroup
4. To identify gaps in provision and target services at these areas
a)To analyse information on gaps in provision
Breakdown statistics / information on services to as low an area as possible
Prioritise areas where services should be targeted
Identify how these services could be established in particular areas Areas in which to target relevant services will have been identified.
Information Officer WACCP / Trusts WACCP / Trusts
b)To identify how information can be made more robust
Analyse information from RDC research
Analyse information from 2001 census to establish how it could benefit planning for childcare services
More robust information will be available for planning/targeting services
Information Officer
Information Officer
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
5. To develop a strategy for long term sustainability within the Childcare Sector
a)To contribute to the CFAF sustainability working group
Provide information on sustainability
Identify the main issues relating to sustainability within the Childcare sector Publication of work of CFAF sustainability subgroup WACCP
WACCP
b)To develop a Board with Sustainability Strategy / Action Plan
Implement recommendations of CFAF Sustainability sub-group
Identify main priorities / action which need to be put in place
Provide training to the Sector on financial accountability and capacity building
Provide information on funding sources Identified main areas for action within Western Board Area Strategic Funding Panel
Strategic Funding Panel
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Key Target Related Objectives Activities 2002-2003 Performance Indicators Lead Role
c)To assess and allocate funding
Assess and allocate Childhood Fund grants
Assess and allocate Playcare grants
Assess and allocate Early Years Development Funds grants
Assess and allocate other grants as appropriate Funding from various sources will have been allocated to the sector
Strategic Funding Panel
5 d) to contribute to the development of New grant programmes
Identifying priority areas for new grants
Inform relevant grant making body Strategic Funding Panel
Strategic Funding Panel REFERENCES
1. Article 20 Review, Foyle Trust.
2. Article 20 Review, Sperrin Lakeland HSC Trust
3. Children First, NI Child Care Strategy, DHSS, DENI, T&E Agency
4. Directory of Training Providers, Western Board area, WACCP, Training Sub-Group
5. Enabling Ability, Karen Casson & Maria Herron
6. Locality Profiles, Information Dept, WHSSB
7. Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, Social Disadvantage Research Centre, Dept of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford
8. Rural Baselining Initiative, A Work In Progress, Rural Development Council
9. Social Security Statistics Agency 10. Vocational Qualifications in Early Years Care, Education and Playwork, WACCP, Training Sub-Group
11. Western Area PEAG Action Plan, December 2001
APPENDICES
Appendix I
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
C&YPC Children and Young Peoples Committee
CBRCCP Cross-border Rural Childcare Project
CCP Child Care Partnership
CFAF Children First Advisory Forum
CSP Children’s Services Plan
DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
DE Department of Education and Learning
DEL Department of Employment and Learning
DHSS&PS Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety
ETI Education and Training Inspectorate
EYDF Early Years Development Fund
IDGEY Inter-departmental Group on Early Years
NICMA Northern Ireland Childminding Association
NIPPA Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association
NLCB National Lottery Charities Board
NOF New Opportunities Fund
PEAG Pre-school Education Advisory Group
PEEP Pre-school Education Expansion Programme
SSI Social Services Inspectorate
WACCP Western Area Child Care Partnership
WAEYC Western Area Early Years Committee
WELB Western Education and Library Board
WHSSB Western Health and Social Services Board
Appendix II
MEMBERSHIP OF THE WACCP
Name Organisation Sector
Ms Carmel Rooney (Chair) WHSSB Health & Social Care
Ms Margaret Kelly WHSSB Health & Social Care
Mr Eamon McTernan WACYPC Health & Social Care
Mr Gerry Conway Foyle Trust Health & Social Care
Vacant Sperrin/Lakeland Trust Health & Social Care
Ms Veronica Baird Westcare Health & Social Care
Mr Seamus Gunn DEL Training and employment
Mr Paddy Mackey WELB Education
Mr Shaun McBride NICIE Education
Mr Peter Duffy CCMS Education
Mr Paddy McGahan DARD Rural
Ms Ann Brolly Limavady Borough Council
Councils
Mr Gerry Craig Derry City Council Councils
Mr Brian McMahon Strabane District Council Councils
Mr Vincent Brogan Omagh District Council Councils
Mr Jim Ledwith Fermanagh District Council
Councils
Ms Nora Nevin NIPPA Voluntary
Ms Carol Gallagher NICMA Voluntary
Vacant Childcare NI Voluntary
Ms Marguerite Hunter- Blair
PlayBoard Voluntary
Mr Danny Cassidy Altram Irish Medium
Ms Bridgeen Irwin Limavady Early years
Forum
Local Early Years Fora
Mr Joe McGrann Derry City Council Area
Early Years Forum
Local Early Years Fora
Vacant Strabane District Early Years Network
Local Early Years Fora
Ms Mary Begley Omagh Area Childcare Network
Local Early Years Fora
Ms Maeve McGuigan Fermanagh Early Years Partnership
Local Early Years Fora
Limava
L/Derry
Straba
Castled
Oma
Enniskill
Lisnask
Appendix III
Registered Childcare Service Provision Profile by Locality
Derry Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Derry 5150 3635 9251 9860 5969 33865
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 3635
Service No of Places Places per 1000*
children (3-4)
Playgroup* 909 250
No of Creches 20 -
Day Nursery Places 280 77
Statutory Nursery Places
1378 379
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 16,933
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children (4-12)
Out of School Day Care 178 10
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 27,896
Service No Of Childminders/ Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 144 -
Childminding Places Available 587 21
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. * Playgroup figure includes Naiscoils and Family & Childcare Centres
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen Lisnaskea Limavady Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Limavady 1339 1016 2674 2818 1637 9484
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1016
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 417 410
No of Creches 6 -
Day Nursery Places 73 72
Statutory Nursery Places 208 204
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 4896
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 140 29
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 7,847
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 83 -
Childminding Places Available 335 43
* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen Lisnaskea Strabane Council Area
Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Strabane 1723 1175 2801 3225 1955 10879
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1175
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 380 323
No of Creches - -
Day Nursery Places - -
Statutory Nursery Places 364 309
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 5211
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 137 26
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 8,924
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Childminders Available** 24
Childminding Places Available 82
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. *No of Places in Strabane Council Area (includes places from both Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts)
**No of Childminders based on those registered with Foyle Early Years Team catchment area.
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Omagh Council Area
Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Omagh 2037 1403 3810 4348 2720 14318
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1403
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 592 421
No of Crèches 4 -
Day Nursery Places 130 93
Statutory Nursery Places 286 203
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 7075
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 218 31
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 11,598
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Childminders Available* 88
Childminding Places Available 365
Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group. * Childminders registered with Sperrin Early Years - Includes some parts of Strabane Council Area
Limavady
Londonderry
Strabane
Castlederg
Omagh
Enniskillen
Lisnaskea
Fermanagh Council Area Number of Children
0-2 3-4 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total
Fermanagh 2311 1729 4391 4921 3012 16364
Source: NISRA Mid Year Estimates
Service Provision for the 3-4 Age Group
Number of Children – 1729
Service No of Places Places per 1000
children (3-4)
Playgroup 680 393
No of Crèches 1 -
Day Nursery Places 259 150
Statutory Nursery Places 364 210
Service Provision for the 4-12 Age Group
Number of Children – 8177
Service No of Places Places per 1000 children
(4-12)
Out of School Day Care 164 20
Service Provision for the 0-14 Age Group
Number of Children – 13,352
Service No Of Childminders/Places
Places per 1000
children (0-14)
Childminders Available 116 -
Childminding Places Available 376 28
* Places per 1000 – The number of places available per 1,000 of the relevant age group.
Appendix IV
NUMBER OF CHILDREN 0-14 AT WARD LEVEL
The information below gives an indication of the number of children aged 0- 14 at electoral ward level. The Partnership is tasked with the role of planning strategically for the childcare provision of those in this age group. The information is sourced from the uptake of child benefit at ward level.
Derry
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Altnagelvin 954
Creggan South 645
New Buildings 865
Ballynashallog 718
Crevagh 1442
Pennyburn 1083
Banagher 724
Culmore 1682
Rosemount 618
Beechwood 429
Ebrington 647
Shantallow East 755
Brandywell 603
Eglinton 874
Shantallow West 2076
Carn Hill 867
Enagh (Derry) 831
Springtown 952
Caw 634
Foyle Springs 966
Strand (Derry) 582
Claudy 581
Holly Mount 909
The Diamond 1086
Clondermot 559
Kilfennan 521
Victoria (Derry) 709
Creggan Central 853
Lisnagelvin 524
Westland 625
Strabane Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Artigarvin 524
East 462
Sion Mills 532
Ballycolman 616
Finn 584
Slievekirk 416
Glenderg 514
South 741
Castlederg 536
Newtownstewart 461
Victoria Bridge 500
Clare 453
North 798
West 757
Dunnamanagh 432
Plumbridge 475
Omagh Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years Ward 0-14 Years
Beragh 484
Drumquin 394
Lisanelly 549
Camowen 699
Drumragh 570
Newtownsaville 476
Clanabogan 428
Fairy Water 439
Owenkillew 514
Coolnagard 396
Fintona 446
Sixmilecross 467
Dergmoney 656
Gortin 430
Strule 337
Dromore 540
Gortrush 379
Termon 572
Drumnakilly 603
Killyclogher 577
Trillick 452
Limavady Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Aghanloo 684
Feeny 442
Magilligan 318
Ballykelly 500
Forest 507
Rathbrady 249
Coolessan 439
Glack 322
Roeside 401
Dungiven 638
Greysteel 638
The Highlands 328
Enagh
(Limavady) 642 Greystone
(Limavady) 389 Upper Glenshane 411
Fermanagh Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ward 0-14 Years
Ballinamallard 470
Devenish 254
Lisnaskea 730
Belcoo and Garrison 418
Donagh 262
Maguires Bridge 408
Belleek and Boa 486
Erne 535
Newtownbutler 481
Boho Cleenish and Letterbreen 417
Florence Court and Kinawley 376
Portora 845
Brookeborough 388
Irvinestown 468
Rosslea 439
Castlecoole 755
Kesh Ederney and Lack 630
Rossorry 279
Derrygonnelly 417
Lisbellaw 546
Tempo 454
Derrylin 461
Lisnarrick 224
Source: Social Security Agency
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, June 2001
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain (1 - Most Deprived, 566 - Least Deprived)
Ward Name LGD Name
Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure
Domain Ward Name LGD Name Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain Ward Name LGD Name
Multiple Deprivation Measure Score Rank of Multiple Deprivation Measure Domain
Brandywell Derry 70.95 6
Irvinestown Fermanagh 29.75 138
Derrylin Fermanagh 16.84 310
Creggan South Derry 63.36 13
Culmore Derry 29.48 142
Aghanloo Limavady 16.56 318
The Diamond Derry 61.50 15
Lisanelly Omagh 29.07 145
Killyclogher Omagh 16.52 319
St. Peter's Derry 60.18 17
Crevagh & SpringtoDerry 28.88 147
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 16.00 326
Victoria Derry 58.29 18
Ebrington Derry 28.37 151
Clanabogan Omagh 15.91 327
East Strabane 56.52 21
Drumnakilly Omagh 28.11 152
Ballykelly Limavady 15.55 336
Creggan Central Derry 56.05 22
Banagher Derry 28.07 153
Strule Omagh 15.19 341
Shantallow East Derry 55.29 23
Feeny Limavady 27.76 157
Florence Court & Kinawle Fermanagh 14.99 346
Binevenagh Limavady 54.86 24
Artigarvan Strabane 27.39 160
Ballinamallard Fermanagh 14.91 347
Shantallow West Derry 53.11 27
Camowen Omagh 26.83 165
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 14.82 350
Westland Derry 50.16 31
Rosslea Fermanagh 26.68 166
Island Fermanagh 14.68 353
Castlederg Strabane 49.71 34
Slievekirk Strabane 26.67 167
Eglinton Derry 14.13 364
Termon Omagh 46.97 39
Claudy Derry 26.23 170
Coolnagard Omagh 13.95 367
Glen Derry 46.16 42
Brookeborough Fermanagh 26.01 172
Pennyburn Derry 13.29 379
Rosemount Derry 46.14 43
Newtownsaville Omagh 25.99 173
Ballynashallog Derry 13.02 381
Fintona Omagh 46.08 44
Trillick Omagh 25.94 174
Rathbrady Limavady 12.87 384
Carn Hill Derry 44.55 49
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 25.61 177
Lisbellaw Fermanagh 12.16 399
Beechwood Derry 43.92 52
Finn Strabane 25.44 180
Fairy Water Omagh 12.16 400
Glenderg Strabane 43.45 57
North Strabane 25.04 188
Roeside Limavady 11.63 410
Corrody Derry 43.29 58
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 24.98 190
Castlecoole Fermanagh 10.05 432
Coolessan Limavady 41.89 62
Erne Fermanagh 24.16 201
Rossorry Fermanagh 9.93 436
Strand Derry 40.55 65
Magilligan Limavady 23.79 207
Altnagelvin Derry 9.55 439
Clare Strabane 38.86 72
Glack Limavady 23.36 215
Owenkillew Omagh 38.86 73
Dungiven Limavady 22.90 220
Newtownstewart Strabane 38.52 77
Faughan Derry 22.73 223
Sion Mills Strabane 38.04 80
Dergmoney Omagh 22.33 226
Multiple Deprivation Measure constructed by using seven transformed
Dunnamanagh Strabane 37.77 83
The Highlands Limavady 22.28 227
domain scores as follows:
West Strabane 37.68 85
Upper Glenshane Limavady 22.25 228
Caw Derry 36.78 88
Enagh Limavady 21.83 235
Income (25%)
Plumbridge Strabane 36.10 92
Tempo Fermanagh 21.20 240
Employment (25%)
Victoria Bridge Strabane 35.53 94
Forest Limavady 20.88 246
Health, Deprivation and Disability (15%)
Sixmilecross Omagh 35.33 96 Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 20.61 251
Education, Skills and Training (15%)
South Strabane 34.92 98
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 19.32 267
Geographical Access to Services (10%)
Dromore Omagh 32.72 114
New Buildings Derry 19.04 272
Social Environment (5%)
Drumquin Omagh 32.65 115
Lisnagelvin Derry 18.90 275
Housing Stress (5%)
Clondermot Derry 32.47 117
Boho, Cleenish & L Fermanagh 18.56 282
Newtownbutler Fermanagh 31.58 120
Donagh Fermanagh 18.36 286
Enagh Derry 31.26 125
Beragh Omagh 17.87 291
Devenish Fermanagh 31.02 128
Drumragh Omagh 17.78 292
Lisnaskea Fermanagh 30.94 129
Gortin Omagh 17.02 307
Gortrush Omagh 30.85 130
Gresteel Limavady 16.94 309
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Child Poverty Measure (Wards Ranked 1 - 566) 1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived
Ward Name LGD Name
Rank of Child Poverty Measure Score
Shantallow East Derry 1 92.39
Plumbridge Strabane 160 50.47
Castlecoole Fermanagh 348 32.32
Brandywell Derry 2 91.43
Culmore Derry 162 50.35
Donagh Fermanagh 349 32.31
Creggan South Derry 3 89.36
Erne Fermanagh 163 49.95
Faughan Derry 351 32.20
Shantallow West Derry 7 83.63
Enagh Limavady 164 49.82
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 352 31.88
Creggan Central Derry 11 82.35
Upper Glenshane Limavady 171 49.11
Magilligan Limavady 361 31.48
East Strabane 18 79.10
Drumquin Omagh 175 48.48
Rossorry Fermanagh 362 31.37
Glen Derry 19 78.66
Clare Strabane 176 48.45
Florence Court & Kinawl Fermanagh 367 31.18
Coolessan Limavady 24 75.82
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 177 48.41
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh 371 30.91
Victoria Derry 30 74.09
Trillick Omagh 178 48.32
Forest Limavady 375 30.39
Strand Derry 37 72.58
Feeny Limavady 179 48.14
Dergmoney Omagh 380 29.85
Castlederg Strabane 39 72.03
Termon Omagh 180 48.06
Lisbellaw Fermanagh 397 27.72
The Diamond Derry 42 71.62
Ebrington Derry 183 47.58
Derrylin Fermanagh 413 26.15
Carn Hill Derry 46 70.56
Victoria Bridge Strabane 188 47.05
Aghanloo Limavady 417 25.58
Devenish Fermanagh 49 69.83
Dungiven Limavady 189 47.03
Rathbrady Limavady 419 25.53
Beechwood Derry 50 69.71
Sixmilecross Omagh 205 45.28
Clanabogan Omagh 428 23.82
St. Peter's Derry 52 68.77
The Highlands Limavady 206 45.17
Roeside Limavady 429 23.81
Westland Derry 54 68.57
Brookeborough Fermanagh 212 44.25
Gortin Omagh 430 23.62
Binevenagh Limavady 59 67.04
Finn Strabane 213 44.16
Eglinton Derry 435 22.49
South Strabane 62 66.72
Lisnagelvin Derry 217 43.98
Altnagelvin Derry 437 22.03
Rosemount Derry 74 65.73
Drumnakilly Omagh 221 43.48
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh 439 22.00
West Strabane 83 62.48
Artigarvan Strabane 229 42.77
Fairy Water Omagh 445 21.45
Lisanelly Omagh 90 61.10
Killyclogher Omagh 231 42.41
Ballynashallog Derry 461 19.89
Glenderg Strabane 92 60.88
Banagher Derry 234 42.16
Ballinamallard Fermanagh 467 19.27
Corrody Derry 102 59.07
Slievekirk Strabane 238 41.73
Drumragh Omagh 480 17.51
Newtownstewart Strabane 104 58.91
Island Fermanagh 260 39.74
Clondermot Derry 107 57.81
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 262 39.64
Note: Newtownbutler Fermanagh 114 57.04
North Strabane 266 39.24
The Child Poverty Measure is a sub-set of the Income Domain.
Sion Mills Strabane 127 54.41
Tempo Fermanagh 271 38.94
The Income Domain includes people of all ages, whereas the Child Poverty
Fintona Omagh 133 54.14 Strule Omagh 279 38.30
Measure is for 0-15 year olds only.
Camowen Omagh 138 53.37
Pennyburn Derry 284 38.03
Enagh Derry 139 53.36
Beragh Omagh 289 37.73
Indicators Used:
Dunnamanagh Strabane 143 53.17
Gresteel Limavady 304 35.96
Children In Income Support Households (DSD, August 1999)
Caw Derry 144 53.12
Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 305 35.94
Children In Income Based Job Seekers Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)
Crevagh & Springtow Derry 145 52.92
Newtownsaville Omagh 312 35.29
Gortrush Omagh 146 52.90 Boho,
Cleenish & L Fermanagh 321 34.61
Children In Family Credit Households (DSD, August 1999)
Irvinestown Fermanagh 148 52.74
Glack Limavady 327 34.47
Children In Disability Working Allowance households (DSD, August 1999)
Lisnaskea Fermanagh 150 52.49
Coolnagard Omagh 333 33.80
Rosslea Fermanagh 154 51.71
Claudy Derry 335 33.46
Owenkillew Omagh 158 50.91
Ballykelly Limavady 340 33.13
Dromore Omagh 159 50.53
New Buildings Derry 344 32.65
Source: (NISRA, 2001)
Wards Within WHSSB by Rank of Geographical ACCESS to Services Domain (Wards Ranked 1-566) 1 - Most Deprived, 566 Least Deprived
Ward Name LGD Name
Access Domain Score Rank of Access Domain Ward Name LGD Name
Belcoo & Garrison Fermanagh 2.48 1
Gortin Omagh .86 99
Coolnagard Omagh -.41 370
Belleek & Boa Fermanagh 2.33 2
Artigarvan Strabane .83 103
Ballynashallog Derry -.42 372
Glenderg Strabane 2.08 3
Ballinamallard Fermanagh .80 111
Altnagelvin Derry -.44 379
Plumbridge Strabane 1.84 5
Maguires Bridge Fermanagh .76 115
Gortrush Omagh -.44 382
Owenkillew Omagh 1.83 6
Fairy Water Omagh .76 116
West Strabane -.45 383
Rosslea Fermanagh 1.78 8
Newtownstewart Strabane .76 117
Roeside Limavady -.45 384
Newtownbutler Fermanagh 1.59 11
Clanabogan Omagh .75 118
Pennyburn Derry -.55 416
Derrylin Fermanagh 1.56 12
Ballykelly Limavady .75 120
Shantallow East Derry -.55 418
Magilligan Limavady 1.56 13
Lisbellaw Fermanagh .67 138
Binevenagh Limavady -.55 420
Feeny Limavady 1.51 14
Gresteel Limavady .65 143
Lisanelly Omagh -.59 426
Dunnamanagh Strabane 1.45 18
Castlederg Strabane .50 177
East Strabane -.64 434
Upper Glenshane Limavady 1.39 23
Fintona Omagh .44 184
Creggan South Derry -.65 436
Banagher Derry 1.38 25
Faughan Derry .38 200
Creggan Central Derry -.72 455
Sixmilecross Omagh 1.36 26
Sion Mills Strabane .37 202
South Strabane -.73 457
Brookeborough Fermanagh 1.35 27
Eglinton Derry .36 204
Dergmoney Omagh -.79 474
Ederny & Lack Fermanagh 1.35 28
Dungiven Limavady .36 205
Glen Derry -.80 477
Termon Omagh 1.34 30
Enagh Derry .35 208
Brandywell Derry -.90 493
Glack Limavady 1.33 31
Irvinestown Fermanagh .33 213
Lisnagelvin Derry -.99 503
Clare Strabane 1.27 35
Lisnaskea Fermanagh .28 221
Devenish Fermanagh -1.03 512
Drumquin Omagh 1.26 39
Culmore Derry .27 225
Clondermot Derry -1.03 513
Derrygonnelly Fermanagh 1.24 42
New Buildings Derry .23 231
Beechwood Derry -1.17 526
Slievekirk Strabane 1.23 43
Corrody Derry .19 235
Rosemount Derry -1.27 534
The Highlands Limavady 1.22 45
Crevagh & SpringtowDerry .04 252
Victoria Derry -1.29 535
Florence Court & KinawFermanagh 1.22 46
Enagh Limavady .00 258
Ebrington Derry -1.38 540
Donagh Fermanagh 1.16 50
Shantallow West Derry -.04 271
Westland Derry -1.48 546
Boho, Cleenish & LetteFermanagh 1.15 52
Castlecoole Fermanagh -.04 272
The Diamond Derry -1.49 547
Trillick Omagh 1.15 53
Rossorry Fermanagh -.10 280
Island Fermanagh -1.61 553
Newtownsaville Omagh 1.13 54
Coolessan Limavady -.11 282
Strand Derry -1.78 562
Victoria Bridge Strabane 1.06 64
Drumragh Omagh -.12 284
Indicators Used:
Drumnakilly Omagh 1.04 66
North Strabane -.15 294
Access to a post office
Aghanloo Limavady 1.04 68
Killyclogher Omagh -.25 319
Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)
Claudy Derry .99 77 Caw Derry -.27 325
Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)
Kesh & Lisnarrick Fermanagh .98 78
Strule Omagh -.33 345
Access to a dentist
Tempo Fermanagh .94 84
Rathbrady Limavady -.35 351
Access to an Optician
Dromore Omagh .89 92
Camowen Omagh -.35 352
Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)
Finn Strabane .89 93
Carn Hill Derry -.36 353
Access to a library
Beragh Omagh .88 97
Erne Fermanagh -.37 357
Access to a museum
Forest Limavady .87 98
St. Peter's Derry -.41 369
Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment Agency
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland
Multiple Deprivation Measure
Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB
Key Indicators Used:
Income Deprivation - 25%
Employment Deprivation - 25%
Health deprivation & Disability - 15%
Geographical access to services - 10%
Social Environment - 5%
Fermanagh
Omagh
Limavady
Derry
Strabane
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland
Child Poverty Measure
Source: Measures of Deprivation in Northern Fermanagh Omagh Strabane
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB Limavady based on:
Children in Income Support Households
Children in Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Households
Children in Family Credit Households
Children in Disability Working Allowance
Derry
Measures of Deprivation in Northern Ireland Access to Services Measure
Limavady Council Area
Derry Council Area
Strabane Council Area
Omagh Council Area
Fermanagh Council Area
33 Most Deprived Wards Within WHSSB Key Indicators Used:
Access to a post office
Access to a GP Surgery (given double weight)
Access to an Accident & Emergency Hospital (given double weight)
Access to a dentist
Access to an Optician
Access to a pharmacist (given double weight)
Access to a library
Access to a museum
Access to a Social Security Office or a Training & Employment Agency
Source: Measure of Deprivation in Northern Ireland, 2001
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We are indeed aware of Article 170: Privacy for children involved in certain proceedings. but also Section 62: Publication of material relating to legal proceedings (251.252.) Which means that nothing can be published that may identify any CHILD during court process yet; Council's can publish photographs and detailed profiles of children online in advertising them for adoption.
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