newsletter

Issue
2 •
October
newsletter
2004
Mayo County
Childcare Forum Established
The Mayo County Childcare Forum was established at its first meeting in Castlebar
on the 6th May 2004.
The role of the County Childcare Forum (CCF) is to represent the expressed views
of childcare providers in Mayo relating to childcare issues at a local and national
level. The C.C.F. draws its membership from the 7 childcare networks operating
across the county. Two members are elected by their individual networks to
represent their area on the C.C.F. In turn four members of the C.C.F. are elected
onto the Mayo County Childcare Committee.
What does this mean for the childcare sector in Mayo?
For the first time there is a structure which allows childcare providers a voice to
represent themselves. This structure allows childcare providers to become organised
and to comment on childcare issues that affect them, their service and the children
in their care. This structure allows elected representatives on the C.C.F. to put forward
the views of childcare providers and feedback the responses they receive to their local
childcare networks. This is an exciting development in the progression of the
childcare sector in Mayo. However, the C.C.F. will only gain strength if childcare
providers engage with it and use it as a channel to put forward ideas on how they
see the childcare sector should develop locally and nationally. It is therefore vitally
important for the success of the C.C.F. that childcare providers engage in this process
by attending their local childcare network meetings. It is indeed encouraging that at
present an average of 70 childcare providers attend the networks on a regular basis.
Mayo County Childcare Committee who have established and continue to support
the childcare networks give notice to each childcare service before their local network
meetings. The Mayo County Childcare Committee are very proud to have
established this structure in the county but are also highly aware that the C.C.F. needs
to establish its own independent voice to truly represent childcare providers in the
county. Mayo County Childcare Committee wish the C.C.F. members every success
in this and will provide as much support as requested to help the C.C.F. in its work.
Members of the County Childcare Forum are as follows:
Representing Claremorris Amanda McHugh, Majella Gibbons
Representing Ballina Andrew Clarke, Maureen Walsh
Representing Westport Ann Morrison, Ingrid Jennings
Representing Bangor Geraldine Carolan, Mary O Boyle
Representing Swinford Geraldine Maloney, Pauline O’Grady
Representing Castlebar Michelle Lavelle, Maura Ni Gannon
Representing Ballinrobe Denise Harris, Ann Conroy
Table of Contents
1 .... Mayo County Childcare Forum
Established
2 .... “One Size Does Not Fit All”
2 .... Information on a Variety of Approaches
found in Playgroup Settings
4 .... Childcare Provider Spotlight
6 .... Parent and Toddler Groups
7 .... Frequently Asked Questions About
Development Plans
6 .... Childminding Update
8 .... New Development Worker for Mayo
County Childcare Committee
The four C.C.F. members elected onto the County Childcare
Forum are Amanda McHugh, Majella Gibbons, Mary O Boyle
and Pauline O Grady.
For further details contact Mayo County Childcare Committee.
1
Louisburgh Community Project.

One Size
Does Not Fit All
Children throughout Mayo from different age groups,
regions, family situations, cultural backgrounds and
abilities have diverse needs and we in the Mayo County
Childcare Committee are focused on creating quality
affordable childcare provision for all. Mayo is fortunate
to have a vibrant Gaeltacht community and a substantial
number of families from the travelling community.
The first meeting of the Mayo County Childcare
Committee took place in April 2001 and we have come
alone way since. Nevertheless we are all aware that a lot
more work has to be done to achieve our objectives.
However difficult it may be for parents to access
childcare, pre-school, or a suitable childminder, it can
be even more difficult for parents from socially
marginalised groups. Availability of childcare for
children with special needs can be sparse. There is a
need for specialised training and specific supports for
parents and carers who are working with children who
have special needs.
There is a great need to intensify our efforts at national
level particularly with policy and resources that are ring
fenced for initiatives to support children and parents
from the travelling community. Some mechanism
needs to be put in place to ensure that monies spent in
this area are monitored and evaluated to guarantee
effectiveness and value for money.
Not surprisingly the vast majority of workers in the
childcare sector are women. Workers in this very
special area need to be recognised for the significant
important service they provide. Everyone involved in
the childcare sector will need to highlight the need for
greater value to be given to their distinguished career.
Only those working in this sector with the support of
parents can push for change using this numerical
strength by insisting on their status being raised.
Therefore it is, in my opinion, necessary that the
childcare sector gets organised. A number of
providers both private and community are expressing
their difficulty in retaining staff due to the demands of
the job and the low level of pay. The effort for private
providers to stay in business is also difficult as the
monetary reward is sometimes not adequate.
I disagree with the free market approach to childcare.
Repeatedly it is trumpeted that childcare is an industry
that can develop along more or less the same lines as
any other business and to the same end. PROFIT!
Children can not be treated as products. Profit alone
does not govern all.
Vivienne Rattigan
Chairperson
2
High/Scope Approach
to Early Childhood Care Education and Care
Origins: The High/Scope Curriculum Approach is an open
framework model derived from developmental theory.
Originating in the 1960s from the Ypsilanti Perry Pre-school
project the approach emphasises learning as a decision-making,
problem-solving process.
Adaptability: Because of its developmental nature, the High/Scope
approach is effective with a wide range of children. It is used with
Children from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds both in
this country and in over twenty countries across the world. It is
used in multilingual settings, with children with moderate and
severe learning difficulties, with mainstream children in after-school
settings, home day care settings, family centres, private preschools,
playgrounds, nursery schools and classes.
Basic Principles: The fundamental premise of the curriculum is
that children are active learners who learn best from activities
they plan and carry out themselves with the support and
encouragement of understanding adults. The adults are guided
by the following principles:
o Children think and reason differently at different stages
of development.
o Teaching builds upon Children’s thoughts and actions rather
than directs and controls them.
o Children need daily opportunities to decide what they want to do.
o The Child’s daily plan is the starting point for teaching.
o Certain key experiences are essential to children’s growth and
development. It is up to adults to see that children have
opportunities to manipulate, observe, predict, describe in their
own words, explain, hypothesise and explore alternatives
The Daily Programme: To create an active learning
environment, the High/Scope approach calls for a basic
arrangement of space and materials to accommodate a number
of play areas that stimulate children’s emerging thinking,
reasoning and problem-solving skills. A consistent daily routine
enables children to function securely from day to day and
permits a wide variety of interactions between children and their
peers and between children and adults. Central to the daily
routine, the Plan-Do-Review sequence enables children to
initiate their plans, carry them out, and recall what they did. As
they interact with children, adults observe children’s behaviours
and abilities. These observations guide adults in evaluating,
planning, designing, and implementing developmentally
appropriate teaching strategies.
Ensuring Quality: Long-term research on the effects of early
education programmes indicates that high quality pre-school
experiences benefit all children by improving their success in
school and the general quality of their lives into adulthood. It also
indicates that high quality pre-school programmes substantially
reduce the costs to society of educational failure, delinquency,
crime and economic dependence. Based on research and
experience, four elements of effective early childhood education
programmes emerge:
1. A developmental Curriculum to which assessment is integral.
2. Managerial support for ongoing curriculum training
and implementation.
3. An adequate number of staff trained in early childhood
development.
4. Parental involvement.
Information Evening
An information evening will be organised in October with regard
to running a course on the above. Please contact MCCC offices if
you are interested in attending the information evening.

Information on
a
Variety of Approaches
found in
Playgroup
Settings
Montessori
Education Advisor
Maureen Leonard Dodd, Abbey Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo has
recently been appointed Montessori Education Advisor for the
Border Midlands &Western region. A graduate of St. Nicholas
Montessori College & London College of Music & Drama Maureen
has worked and lectured in the field of education since 1984.
Her role as Montessori Education Advisor within the childcare
sector is to provide support structures for all Montessori Providers,
regardless of training college, and includes the following:
• School visitation and advisory services with the possibility
of certification.
• Advice on Early Childhood Education.
• Information on training courses and workshops.
• Assistance in the networking of Montessori
Providers countrywide.
Any Montessori Provider who would like
further information or advice can contact
Maureen through St. Nicholas Montessori
Society 01 2805705 or directly at:
St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland
EOCP FUNDED INITIATIVE
Maureen Leonard Dodd,
Abbey Street,
Ballina,
Co. Mayo.
Tel. 096 71877/ 70368
Fax. 096 22227
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Naíonra
Ireland like many other countries is bilingual and the Irish
language forms the basis of our unique culture, it is one of the
oldest languages in Europe. Children who acquire a
knowledge of Irish will inherit and enjoy a rich tradition, giving
greater opportunity to take part in a wide range of cultural and
social activities. More than half the population of the world
speaks more than one language.
Is grúpa spraoi tré Ghaeilge an Naíonra. Tagann Naíonraí na
Galltachta faoi scáth Forbairt Naíonraí Teo (FNT) a chuireann
comhairle agus cuidiú chomh maith le traenáil fóirne agus
coistí ar fáil, le seirbhísí den scoth ar árdchaighdeán a chothú
ar fud na tíre. Tugann Oifigí Forbartha FNT cuaiteanna rialta ar
na Naíonraí le heolas suas chun dáta a thabhairt, chomh maith
le clár an Naíonra a phlé. Comhoibríonn FNT le grupaí eile atá
bainteach le réamhoideachas agus cursaí teanga sa chontae.
The Naíonra (Irish medium playgroup) provides the child with
an opportunity to learn Irish naturally and easily in an
environment of play, songs, rhymes and stories. Children are
involved in a wide range of age appropriate activities and
games, which aims to promote the total development of the
child. No pressure is put on any child to speak Irish. The idea
is that the child will acquire this second language in the same
way in which he/she acquire the first - by listening,
understanding, isolating words and structures and, eventually
producing words, phrases and sentences. Educationalists
believe that a bilingual education can give children many
positive advantages, it helps to develop mental agility, keeness
and alertness. It provides the individual with two windows
through which to look at the world.
Creideann Forbairt Naíonraí Teo go mbraitheann caighdeán
an Naíonra ar chumas na fóirne agus cumas na ndaoine
fásta atá ag obair ann. Braitheann cumas na fóirne ar an
traenáil - is é sin traenáil chreidiúnach fadtréimhseach agus
traenáil inseirbhíse chomh maith le caidrimh agus
idirghníomhaithe. Mar gheall ar sin eagraíonn FNT cursaí
chreidiúnacha tré Ghaeilge do foireann Naíonraí agus
comhoibríonn siad le grupaí eile a chuireann traenáil
oiriúnach ar fáil do sheirbhisí réamhscoile
Gaeilge. Eagraíonn Oifigeach Forbartha
FNT cursaí inseirbhise i rith na bliana do
foireann seirbhisí le caighdeán den
scoth a chothú i measc stiúrthóirí
ar mhaithe an pháiste.
Tá tuilleadh eolais ar choras an
Naíonra agus seirbhise eile
cúram leanaí tré Ghaeilge le
fáil ó Forbairt Naíonraí Teo. ag
01-6398442.
St. Lucy’s Playgroup, Newport.

First Steps Creche & Montessori
No. 3 An Cladrach, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Type of Service: Creche and Montessori - full day care
Owner: Laura Reapy
Private Provider
Questions and Answers
How long have you been in the business of providing childcare?
Sixteen months
Why did you pursue a career in childcare?
I always had a great love for children. It makes me feel good to think
I have given our children the best start in life.
What is the highest level of training you are currently working on
or recently completed?
I completed NCVA Childcare Level 2 and Nursery Management from
the School of Practical Childcare and also First Aid which is updated
every three years.
Describe the building of your service, do you have an outdoor area?
We are a few minutes away from Ballinrobe town. The creche is a two
storey building. Downstairs there is a baby room, cot room, toddler
room, nappy changer, kitchen and toilet and upstairs there is a
playschool, montessori, after-school and childrens toilets. Yes we have
a large outdoor area which is safely fenced off so the kids can spend
may happy hours playing in the sunshine.
What are your upcoming plans to improve your service?
We are hoping to move into a purpose built creche just over the wall
from where we are now, we are hoping to be there early 2005.
Have you applied for any funding from EOCP?
No. We have not applied for funding but intend to for the new premises.
What is the most positive aspect of your service?
We provide a home from home environment. All the girls work very
well as a team, this benefits the children in their daily activities.
What activity do you find is always a favourite with your group of children?
The babies and toddlers love music and dance, playing with blocks,
play-dough, cars and dolls.
The older children love to play outside running around playing football,
racing and playing on the swings. They also love painting, cutting out,
blocks, jigsaws and working with the Montessori equipment.
Is there any courses that you have been on that you would
recommend for other providers?
Yes. Paediatric First Aid as it trains you for children rather than adults.
I am hoping this year to take part in the Children First Keep Safe
Training programme as last year was our first year open and I didn’t
have time to do the course.
What are two pieces of equipment / material that you find
invaluable to your service?
Everything we have is valuable to us, we make use of all the equipment
and materials we have.
What advice would you give to a private provider starting a service?
You want to have a love for children and not a love for the money you
will earn. Watching the children grow up into little adults is all the
reward you should need. Also you should be prepared to put in a lot
of hours to see your business grow.
Some of the Montessori and After-school group at the creche (with their teacher Sinéad).
4
Childcare
Provider Spotlight
Naíonra Naomh Sheosaimh
An Caiseal, Acaill, Co. Mhaigh Eo
Type of Service: Community - Sessional (Naíonra)
Community Playgroup
Questions and Answers
Conan a tharla an Seirbhis agus cathain a bhunaigh sé?
How did your service begin and how long has it been established?
Bunaíodh Naíonra Naomh Sheosaimh i 1989 le grúpa beag daoine áitiúil,
faoi scath Comhcoiste Réamhscolaíochta Teo. Fuair an Naíonra deontais ó
Údarás na Gaeltachta ón dtús.
Naíonra Naomh Sheosaimh was established in 1989 by a small group of local
people under the guidance of Comhcoiste Réamhscolaíocht Teo. We received
grants from Údarás na Gaeltachta from the beginning.
Cén chaoi a freastalaionn an seirbhis don éileamh curam leanai i don cheantar?
How does your service meet the need for childcare in your area?
Faoi láthair, tá suas go dtí 40 páistí (idir an aoisghrúpa 2bl 10 mí - 5 bl)
ábalta freastal ag an Naíonra, scoilte idir dhá seisiún - 20 in aghaidh gach
seisiún, ó Luan - Aoine.
At present, we can take up to 40 children (age-group of 2yrs 10mths - 5 yrs)
between two sessions - 20 per session, from Monday to Friday.
Déan cur sios ar foirgneamh an seirbhis. An bhfuil clós spraoi agaibh?
Describe the building of your service? Does it include an outdoor area?
Tá muid ag léas an seomra atá muid ann faoi láthair. Is seomra mór é,
scoilte le seilfeanna speisialta chun áiteanna spraoi éagsúla a dheanamh.
Tá leithreas an foireann agus leithreis na páistí as an seomra spraoi. Níl aon
clós spaoi againn ar an drochuair.
We are renting the room that we are in at the moment. It is quite a big room
and we have specialy-built shelving units dividing the different play areas. The
staff toilet and children’s toilets are off the play room. Unfortunately we
haven’t got an outdoor play area for the children.
An bhfuil aon pleananna agaibh an seirbhis a feabhasaigh?
What are your upcoming plans to improve your service?
Tá muid ag iarraidh foirgneamh nua le clós spraoi a thógail. Ansin beidh
muid ábalta níos mó seirbhisí a chur ar fáil don cheantar.
We are hoping to build a purpose-built facility with a suitable outdoor play
area. As we will have proper facilities, we will then be able to provide more
services for our area - parent and toddler group, school age childcare etc.
Ar chur sibh isteach i gcomhair an deontas ón EOCP?
Have you applied for any funding from EOCP?
Tá muid ag fáil an deontas pá don foireann.
Yes, we are receiving the staffing grant.
Cén sort imeachtai a chuireann sibh ar siúl i gcomhair airgead a
bhailaigh don seirbhis?
What type of fundraising does your group do?
Crannchur gach Nollag. Oíche curaí, oíche rasaíocht chapall agus at muid
ag iarraidh níos mó a dheanamh mar sh, comórtas galf agus dioscó.
We have a raffle every Christmas. We have had a curry night and a race night
and we hope to have a few more e.g.a golf competition and discos.

Nikki McLoughlin Childminding Service
Nikki McLoughlin
Midfield, Swinford.
Type of service: Childminder.
Childminder
Questions and Answers
How many Children are you childminding at present?
Six part-time pre-school children. Two after school children.
Naíonra Naomh Sheosaimh
How did you start childminding?
When I moved to Swinford from England almost 2 years ago, I decided
that working from home was my best option. I’ve worked in childcare
for the past 16 years and have gained a Level 4 in Early Childhood
Care and Education; so childminding was the natural choice for me.
How long have you been a childminder?
I have been working as a childminder for the past 18 months.
Ceard é an rud is deimhneach do do seirbhis?
What is the most positive aspect of your service?
Tá muid suite díreach i lár an cheantar agus tugann muid seirbhís luachmhar
do na clainne le ngrá an teanga Gaeilge. Mar bharr ar seo cabhraíonn an
Naíonra le forbairt fisiciúil, tochtach agus intinneach de gach páiste. Tá páirt
mór ag an Naíonra anois ag iarraidh ár cheantar a coinnigh sa Ghaeltacht.
We are based in the heart of the community and we give a valuable service to
the famillies with a love for the Irish language. Along with this the Naíonra helps
with all aspects of development of every child. We play a very active role in the
community at present in an effort to keep the area in the Gaeltacht.
Cén gniomhaiocht is fearr do na páisti?
What activity do you find is always a favourite with your group of children?
Ceol agus Rince - Is breá leis na páistí a bheith ag damhsa, ag seinm ceol
agus ag caineadh I ciorcal ag feachaint ar a cheile. Role play - Is iontach an
rud é nuair atá páistí ag smaoineadh dóibh féin agus iad féin a chur in iúl.
Music and Dancing - The children love to dance and sing in circles with each other
especially when they know the words and actions to the songs. Role play - I find
they really enjoy role play where they make up their own stories and games and
be whoever they want, and are able to express themselves freely through this.
An bhfuil aon cursa déanta agat a mholadh do coiste/ foireann i
seirbhisi eile a dheanamh?
Are there any courses that you have been on that you would recommend
for other staff/childcare providers?
Tá CDBO (FETAC) Leibhéal 2 agus an chúrsa “Ár Dualgais Curam” an
tabhachtach do dhaoine atá ag obair le páistí óige. Freisin tá na laethanta
inseirbhís Naíonraí an-suimiúil agus faisnéiseach.
FETAC 11 and Children First Program are two very important courses to
complete for anyone involved in childcare. Naíonraí in service days are also
very important and interesting to attend.
Cur sios dhá trealamh a cheapann tú go bhfuil fiorluachmhar do do seirbhis
What are two pieces of equipment/material do you find invaluable to
your service?
Cuinne Baile - is maith leis na páistí spraoi sa cuinne baile, leis an cistin,
an seomra suite agus leis na culaith éide. Gaineamh - is maith leo an
gaineamh freisin.
Home Corner - the children enjoy playing in the home corner, with the
kitchen, the sitting room and with the costumes. Sand - the sand box is also
very popular in the Naíonra.
An bufuil aon moltai agaibh do ghrupai pobail atá ag bunaigh
seirbhis curam leanai?
What advice would you give to a community group starting a childcare service?
Teigh go dtí do ‘Childcare Development Officer’ áitiúil ar dtús i gcomhair
cabhair, comhairle agus moltaí.
Go to your local Childcare Development Officer first for help, advice and
recommendations.
5
Are you a voluntary notified or notified childminder?
Yes, I am a voluntary notified childminder at present but I have applied
to the Western Health Board to become notified.
How does childminding work with your family life and routine?
Childminding works very well for our family; it affords me the opportunity
to be at home for my own child when he returns from school and also
during the school holidays. The children that we care for have become
part of our family and I’m sure many will remain life long friends for our
son. I found it hard to find work that would ‘fit-in’ with family life when
we moved to Swinford, especially with the lack of after-school care locally;
working at home as a childminder gives me the opportunity to use the
qualifications that I worked hard to achieve as well as working in a field
which I enjoy. So all round I am happy and therefore my family are happy.
Have you attended network meetings and why are they
important to you?
Yes I have attended many of the network meetings both here in
Swinford and during the mornings in ‘Tumble Jungle’ and ‘Maghu’s
Castle’. Not only do these meetings provide much needed adult
conversation for myself but also allows the children in my care to
socialise with peers form their wider community.
During meetings it gives us, the childminders, the chance to discuss any
problems we are facing and to help others alike; they give Mary O’Hara;
Childminding Advisory Officer, the opportunity to pass on information
about training and grants available and provide the chance to meet socially.
What type of activities do you do with the children that you child mind?
I provide a wide variety of activities for the children; assisting in the
daily chores and extending this with ‘open questions’ about what they
are doing and why. They engage in story telling, arts & crafts, creating
magnificent creations from construction toys such as lego, stickle &
wooden bricks and duplo. We enjoy many activities outside such as
making and blowing bubbles, building and playing in the sand pit,
riding bikes and trikes and a variety of ball games. The children all take
a part in tending a vegetable patch, growing carrots, onions, cabbages,
potatoes and at present we are waiting for the much cared for
pumpkins to rear their heads. To extend this during our weekly cooking
we often make our lunch from the veggies that they have helped grow.
The older children enjoy playing adventure games with walkie-talkies,
playing football, flying kites, cooking and arts & crafts such as
modelling from clay and plaster.
Have you applied for the Childminders grant?
Yes, I am in the process of applying for it right now.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start
childminding?
Childminding should no longer be viewed as the easy option for the
‘stay at home mum’ to earn a few extra pennies. It is a career that should
be valued as such by both other professionals and parents; therefore
anyone entering childminding should see it as such. When starting out:
• Insurance is a must!
• Make contact with the local Childminding Advisory Officer, who
can be of great support and assistance.
• Take the opportunity to attend local network meetings; by working
with other childminders locally it may be possible to receive and
pass on families looking for childcare to each other.
• Be sure that you will enjoy being at home for long periods with only
children as company. Childminding can be a very lonely career but
also very rewarding.

Parent and Toddler Groups
Aims
A Parent and Toddler group is a local support group where
parents/carers meet up in a friendly informal setting for social
interaction while their children play and socialise together.
Location of Groups in Mayo
There are 26 Parent and Toddler groups throughout the county
of Mayo.
These are the locations of the groups in Mayo -
No. Location No. Location No. Location
1 Achill (Bunacurry)
2 Balla
3 Ballina
4 Ballinrobe
5 Ballycastle
6 Ballyhaunis
7 Ballyheane
8 Behy
9 Belcarra
10 Breaffy
11 Castlebar
12 Claremorris
13 Clogher
14 Curraun
15 Foxford
16 Irishtown
17 Kilkelly
18 Kilmovee
Glenhest Parent & Toddler Group
19 Kilmurray
20 Knock
21 Manulla
22 Murrisk
23 Newport
24 Partry
25 Turlough
26 Westport
Setting Up A Group
1. Organising the day to day running of group:
A small committee of 2/3 parents is the best way to start. This
group can then share the responsibility of organising the overall
group on an ongoing basis.
Tasks include -
• Advertising through posters, local church newsletter, local newspapers
• Setting up premises including unlocking and locking up
• Welcoming new members
• Collection of small fee from each member
• Applying for grants and form filling when necessary
• Cleaning and tidying, organising adequate first-aid box
Committees usually change every year or so with other parents
then taking over to share out the work more fairly.
2. Venue:
For insurance and space purposes, the local Community Centre,
Town Hall or Health Centre is probably the most suitable
location. Remember you will need adequate space and facilities
for storage of toys and materials.
3. Insurance:
It is imperative to organise insurance to protect voluntary
members from claims. If your venue is an existing childcare
service, they may be able to extend their cover to include your
groups. Otherwise IPPA offers insurance cover at a reasonable rate
4. Health Board:
It is not obligatory to notify the health Board when you establish
a Parent and Toddler group but Health Board support workers
can prove very helpful and a good point of contact for new
parents in the area.
5. Funding:
There are a few avenues of funding available to the group.
Firstly your local Health Board offers a start-up grant and then
funding can be applied for annually. Grants can also be applied
for from your Local Development Partnership office,
Community Development Group/s, Department of Social and
Family Affairs or the Katherine Howard Foundation. Some of
these grants cover toys and equipment while others focus on
development and training of the parents.
Fundraising through raffles, flag days etc. is usually a vital source
of income to help cover the ongoing costs of the group.
6. Toys and equipment:
To start with members can bring the toys and equipment along
themselves. Once funding becomes available, materials can be
purchased which then belong to the group as a whole.
Knock Parent & Toddler Group
6
Toys and Equipment
Chairs and tables
Tea and coffee
making equipment
Cups and beakers
Changing facilities
Examples of toys
for babies
Examples of toys
for crawlers
Examples of toys
for toddlers
Details
For both adults and children - most halls and
centres will have adult furniture but you may
need to purchase some suitable for children
Usually available at the venue but may need to
be purchased
Supplied usually by members themselves
In a separate area from the children or kitchen area
Baby corner with soft flooring mats, soft toys,
rattles and activity centres to occupy babies
Roll-along toys, cars, dolls, cloth books,
stacking toys and if space permits a larger
cordoned off area for safety
Prams, teddies, cars, reading and colouring
books, jigsaws, playdough, hats and clothes
for dressing up, toy kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions...
About Development Plans
How do you put together a development plan?
Research and preparation are the key to an effective development plan.
Development plans do not need to be longwinded, extensive documents.
Accessing relevant information is the most important point to remember.
Set objectives -
What are you actually trying to achieve for your childcare service?
E.G. A new/larger premises to cater for more children
A service to cater for a variety of age ranges - crèche, school aged childcare etc.
A more suitable location
Remember to ask yourself - Are your objectives realistic?
The following are some useful tips to remember when preparing
your development plan
Needs Analysis
a. Look at what areas/townlands will
the children be coming from
b. Is there a growing population in
these areas, has the birth rate
increased over the last few years?
Are there other childcare facilities
in the area?
c. Is there a need for childcare in the
area, are there new housing
estates being developed?
d. Will the project be sustainable?
Will there be a child population in
the areas to use the facility in 3-5
years time?
g. What kind of service do the
parents from the proposed
catchments area want?
A questionnaire for parents to find
out this information to provide a
need analysis for the application
would be very beneficial
h. Is the service going to target
disadvantaged families i.e. low
income, lone parents?
Will everyone have equal access?
i. The questionnaire could also be a
mechanism of finding out
numbers of disadvantaged
families in the catchment area -
remember this information would
of course be confidential
f. Would this proposed project
cause displacement / duplication
of existing service?
Contacts
• Local knowledge
• Public Health Nurse
• Local knowledge
• Public Health Nurse
• Census Population figures 2002
• Early Childcare Services
Development Worker (Health Board)
• Auctioneers
• Mayo Co Council
• Schools
• Public Health Nurse
• Needs Analysis questionnaire
• Mayo CCC Development Worker
• Needs Analysis questionnaire
• Mayo CCC Development Worker
• Needs Analysis questionnaire
• Mayo CCC Development Worker
• Local knowledge
• Early Childcare Services
Development Worker (Health Board)
• Mayo CCC Development Worker
Don’t forget to talk to:
- Mayo County Childcare Committee - Foróige
- Local Community groups - FAS
- Local Partnership Company - VEC
- Local community groups - Early Childcare Services
e.g Community Council
7
Claremorris Group who completed QAP training receiving their Certificates.
Childminding Update
Congratulations to all staff, parents and childminders
who participated in any way to “Childminding
Awareness Week” 27th September to 2nd October ‘04.
Training / support available in Mayo for childminders
Ballina
Kiltimagh
Tumble Jungle:
Every Wed morning 10am - 1pm.
FREE for all childminders and the children
in their care.
Paediatric First Aid:
Saturday, 6th Nov and 20th Nov.
10am - 4pm. Oznam House,
Teeling St., Ballina. €20 per person
Engaging Young Readers:
Dry Fidelma Healy Eames
Tuesday 2nd November, 8.pm.
Newmans Institute. FREE
Maghus Castle:
Every Thursday morning 10am - 1pm.
FREE for all childminders and children in
their care.
Killala Quality Awareness Training Programme
for Childminders (QAP)
Wed 17th Nov - 8pm - 10pm
Wed 24th Nov - 8pm - 10pm
Wed 1st Dec - 8pm - 10pm
Wed 8th Dec - 8pm - 10pm
Achill Mon 15th Nov - 8pm - 10pm
Mon 22nd Nov - 8pm - 10pm
Mon 29th Nov - 8pm - 10pm
Mon 6th Dec - 8pm - 10pm
The above Networks, Training and events are all funded by
the Mayo County Childcare Committee through the Equal
Opportunities Childcare Programme. Mayo County
Childcare Committee would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate all the childminders in Mayo who have already
completed the Quality Assurance Programme and to wish
all those currently engaged in training the best of luck.
Mayo County Childcare Committee would like to
encourage and remind childminders who have not yet
engaged with the County Childcare Committee that there
are a wide range of supports available to them. For example,
Childminding Development worker Mary Heavey is based
in Ballina and has been providing support to childminders
for many years. Mary can be contacted at (096) 72084.
The role of Childminding Advisory Office, Western Health
Board, involves developing quality services for childminders
and parents in Co. Mayo. This service provides free
information, advice and support to existing childminders
around ways to improve the quality of care being offered
in home settings as well as increasing the professional
approach to the care being provided to children.
The Western Health Board Childminding Advisory Office
can be contacted at (094) 90 34776. For information on
all of the above and much more including details on the
Childminding Development Grant you can contact
Mayo County Childcare Committee at (094) 90 34778.

Mayo County Childcare Committee
Michelle Basquille, Dev. Worker County Childcare Committee, Jim Power, Mayo
County Childcare Co-ordinator, and Vivienne Rattigan, Chairperson M.C.C.C.
New Development Worker
for Mayo County Childcare Committee
Michelle Basquille commenced work as Development Worker
with the Mayo County Childcare Committee in July 2004.
As Development Worker, Michelle will provide support and
back up to childcare providers in the county and will assist
in the development of a co-ordinated approach to childcare
in Co. Mayo.
The Mayo County Childcare Committee was established in
May 2001. Its remit is to support a co-ordinated partnership
approach to the planning and development of childcare
services within the county.
Prior to this appointment, Michelle worked as a Development
Worker for the Kiltimagh and District Community
Development Support Project and for Meitheal Mhaigh Eo
Community Development Partnership Company. Michelle
looks forward to this new challenge and working with the
childcare community.
Back left to right
Neil Sheridan, Mayo County Council, Mary Mulryan, Enable Ireland, Majella
Gibbons, service provider representative, Frank Fox, Dept of Education, Mary
Conlon, Meitheal Mhaigheo, Mary O Boyle, Service providers representative,
Pam Ui Thaidgh, Udarás na Gaeltachta, Ann Gibbons, Farming representative,
Pauline O Grady, service provider representative, Pat Higgins, Mayo VEC.
Front Left to right
Sr. Margaret McHale, Traveller community representative, Ciara Kane, Mayo
County Childcare Committee, Michelle Basquille, Dev. Worker County
Childcare Committee, Vivienne Rattigan, Chairperson M.C.C.C, Jim Power,
Mayo County Childcare Co-ordinator, Lily Cunningham, Dept. Social,
Community and Family Affairs.
Some of the MCCC members, unfortunately the following were unavailable for
photo, Breege Jackson, Brid Ni Lionaird, Nancy McFadden, Geralding Glendon,
Mary Leneghan, Amanada McHugh, Conor Craven and Mary Conway.
Where to find us
Both Mayo County Childcare Committee and Early
Childcare Services share offices in Mill Lane, Bridge
St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Mayo County Childcare Committee contact details:
Tel: 094 9034778
Fax: 094 9034815
Email: maryconway@mayococo.ie
Website: www.mayocdb.ie
Early Childcare Services contact details:
Tel: 094 9034776
Fax: 094 9034815
Email: trina.mcginty@whb.ie
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E.U. Structural Funds
Mayo County
Development Board
Bord Forbartha Chontae Mhaigh Eo
Funded by the Irish Government and part financed by the European Union Structural Funds
under the National Development Plan 2000-2006
M
C
D
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Thanks from Mayo County Childcare Committee
Thanks for reading the second edition of Mayo County
Childcare Committee newsletter. Thanks to all those
who contributed to this edition. If you have any
information or contributions which you feel may be of
benefit to childcare providers or parents in the county,
please let us know and we will endeavour to include
them in the next edition of our newsletter.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in
this publication is accurate and up to date. No responsibility for
loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining
from acting as a result of material in this publication can be
accepted by Mayo County Childcare Committee and/or their
respective servants or agents.
Design & Print: Cashin Print, Castlebar. (094) 9026622
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