School Age Childcare Thematic Working Group

 

On the 1st December 2010 the Dublin City Childcare Committee hosted a seminar on School-Age Childcare. The seminar saw the launch of a new DCCC publication, A guide to good practice for school-age childcare providers. During the seminar there was also a presentation on the Fetac level 5 course on school-age childcare training.

Chief Executive of Barnardos, Fergus Finlay launched Dublin City Childcare Committee’s Ltd new Guide to Good Practice for School-Age Childcare. The seminar overall was a great success despite the poor weather conditions, with a variety of school-age childcare providers and stakeholders attending on the day.

The Guide to good practice was developed by DCCC's School-Age Childcare Thematic Working Group and in consultation with after school childcare providers in Dublin City. It proposes a set of guidelines that providers and the DCCC can use in working together for the betterment of the school age sector. Furthermore, it gives advice on setting up a childcare service for school-going children and on issues such as drawing up policies and procedures, preparing budgets and writing business plans.

For the guide to good practice on school-age childcare  please visit: http://childcareonline.ie/publications/childcare-publications.php

 

One of the main aims of this group as outlined by the Dublin City Childcare Committee’s (DCCC) strategic plan for 2007 – 2010, is to provide a strong representative structure for the sector at citywide level.

The groups meetings have to date been well attended with parties from right across the school age childcare/out of school sector, including representatives from QDOSS, Barnardos, CASPr, the Educational Disadvantage Centre, school principals, as well as private and community childcare providers. The group discussion examined many issues including training standards, funding, and the development of curriculum.

The Executive Summary of the research piece examining the levels of provision of school age childcare and assessing gaps in service in Dublin City was launched by Mr. Barry Andrews TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, on Wednesday 7th October 2009 in the Alexander Hotel. Also in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Emer Costelloe. Joe Rynn and Anne Conroy, Manager and Chair respectively of the DCCC, addressed the gathering along with Joan Whelan of Ranelagh Multi Denominational School. RMDS was one of the After School Projects examined in detail for the purpose of the research study.

Representing St. Patrick’s College’s Educational Disadvantage Centre, were members of the Dublin City School Age Childcare Thematic Working Group (SACTWG), Dr. Paul Downes and Ms. Valerie McLoughlin.  SACTWG served as the advisory body for the report.

The Executive Summary along with the complete Research Report can be downloaded here

 

 

 

Last Updated: Friday February 24 2012