Support with childcare

If you are considering continuing your education, doing a training course or looking for work then you will need to organise childcare. Unfortunately some types of childcare can be expensive and there can be waiting lists. This can make it difficult to find childcare that is suitable to your needs and is affordable. In many cases you will need to organise your own childcare and this can mean that you may have to rely on family and friends for looking after your baby. Depending on the course you are doing there may be childminding facilities available or financial help towards childcare.

There are different types of childcare including the following:

• Registered childminder – this is a person who looks after children up to the age of 12. This is usually for more than two hours per day and for at least two days per week. Registered childminders will look after children in their own homes. ‘Registered’ means that the childminder has been vetted or checked by the Social Services Trust in your area and the childminder is registered or included on their list of approved childminders.
• Crèche – this is a daycare facility for young children. It is often available whilst the parent is attending education or training courses or participating in other activities. In some situations the parents will be in the same building as the crèche. The crèche may run morning and afternoon sessions.
• Day nursery – children usually from the age of six weeks to under five years. The nursery provides childcare for more than four hours per day. Children can attend on a full time or part time basis.
• Pre-school playgroup – the playgroup accepts children from the ages of three to five years old and runs for up to four hours each day. Parents do not have to stay with their children during this time.

There are other types of childcare support:

• Nursery school – a nursery school provides nursery education to children aged three to four years who have not yet started school. The nursery schools are often part of or attached to primary schools.
• Parent and toddler group – this is not strictly childcare but it does allow children and parents to come together usually for one session per week. Parents are required to stay with their children.
• Out of schools group or club – an out of schools club is set up for school-age children and it normally takes place before and/or after school hours.
• You may be able to access support with childcare according to your personal circumstances and where you are continuing your education.

At school

You can access some childcare support if you participate in a S.A.M. Project. If you are returning to school your education welfare officer will contact key agencies such as your local Social Services Trust to apply for funding for a childcare place. Depending on the decision, the funding may be for a part-time or a full-time childcare place. This arrangement may also involve a family member sharing the childcare for part of the week.

At further education college and university

Some Colleges, Institutes and Universities have crèche facilities at or near their campus buildings. However the places available are usually limited and you will need to apply for a childcare place well in advance of your course beginning.

Funding

Ask your student advisor about the ‘Care to learn scheme’ which can provide you with help to meet your childcare costs

Contact details

For registered childminders contact your local social services office, which will be listed in the telephone directory, or:

The Northern Ireland Childminding Association (N.I.C.M.A.)

17a Court Street, Newtownards

028 9181 1015

For daycare and crèches contact:

Northern Ireland Pre-School Playgroup Association (N.I.P.P.A.)

6c Wildflower Way, Belfast

028 9066 2825

For after school provision contact:

Playboard Northern Ireland Ltd.,

59-65 York Street, Belfast

028 9056 0010

For school nursery and reception classes contact your local primary school.

Try contacting your local community centre, women’s group, library, doctor’s surgery and health centre for information about what childcare is available to you locally.