Northern Ireland - Centre for Early Childhood Development ...

Chapter 8Northern Irelandhttp://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publications/archived/childrenfirst.asp, 1st July, 2004).ECCE in Northern Ireland is therefore seenas having three main functions; thepromotion of the well-being of children, theprovision of equal opportunities to parentsand the provision of supports to parents inbalancing work and family life.8.2.2 PolicyResponsibility for ECCE is divided betweenthe Department of Education and theDepartment of Health and Social Services(DHSS), in line with the division betweeneducation and care services in the UK(OECD, 2000b). Responsibility for preschooleducation lies with the Departmentof Education and responsibility for servicesproviding care for children lies with theDHSS. According to Children First (DHSSin Association with the Training andEmployment Agency and DENI, 1999), it isthe long-term goal of the government tointegrate the early education and careservices.Five Education and Library Boards inNorthern Ireland are responsible fororganising publicly-funded schooleducation within their area. Pre-schools areinspected by the Education and TrainingInspectorate. Under Children First, aChildcare Partnership was established ineach Health and Social Services Board inNorthern Ireland, comprising of Voluntaryand Statutory Agencies with responsibilityfor implementing the government'schildcare strategy (Northern ChildcarePartnership, 2002). Health and SocialServices Trusts inspect services under theadministrative auspices of the DHSS.8.2.3 FundingThe main form of subsidy for childcarecosts is demand funding (Candappa et al.,2003). For children aged from threemonths to three years, provision is largelyin the private and voluntary sectors, andparents pay fees. Pre-school education (forchildren aged from three to four) iscurrently being expanded and developed inco-operation with the private and voluntarysectors. The pre-school educationexpansion programme is working towardsprovision of a full year of pre-schooleducation for every child whose parentswant it in the year prior to entry to formalschooling.8.2.4 Delivery StrategiesMost childcare and early education inNorthern Ireland is supplied by privateproviders. Compulsory primary educationstarts at the age of four and this is providedby the State.8.3 Defining Quality8.3.1 Children Order (1995)Under the Children Order (Her Majesty'sStationery Office [HMSO], 1995), Healthand Social Services Trusts are responsiblefor the registration and inspection of daycare services and childminding.Furthermore, they promote and encouragegood practice through the provision ofadvice and guidance to providers. Anychildcare facility or child minder providingcare for more than 2 hours in any one dayis required to be registered by law. SocialServices Early Years Teams assess theirsuitability in 3 key areas:Premises - for health and safety;Staff - via police, medical and socialservices checks to ensure individuals aresuitable to care for children;Equipment and play environment - toensure that it is age appropriate safe andstimulating. (Children's ServicesNorthern Ireland, Accessed at: http://www.google.ie/search?q=cache:iyL7DHSVkc8J:www.childrensservicesnorthernireland.com/earlyyears/faq.asp+Social+S101