About us

The Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform introduced the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 - 2006 to fund the development of childcare in Ireland. Limerick City Childcare Committee was set up under this programme primarily to develop, implement and monitor a childcare strategy for Limerick City for 2007 - 2010.

See also the National Childcare Development Programme 2006-2010

Our Childcare Strategy was launched in November 2007 and is underpinned by ten core principles:

• Child Centred,
• Needs Lead,
• Quality Provision,
• Choice and accessibility,
• Equality and inclusion,
• Affordability,
• Partnership,
• Family Supportive,
• Integration and coordination,
• Optimising resources.

Limerick City Childcare Committee has developed a Childcare Strategy for Limerick City for the period from 2007-2010. There have been significant increases in the numbers of childcare places available locally since the inception of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 - 2006 and the establishment of the City and County Childcare Committees. The National Childcare Investment programme provides new opportunities to develop a comprehensive childcare infrastructure. Limerick City Childcare Committee hopes that our new childcare strategy will reflect the needs of childcare providers, parents and children in Limerick City. Be alert for notices, advertisements and announcements regarding the development of the strategy.

The Limerick City Child Care Committee's main purpose is to assist in the coordination of childcare, both locally and nationally and to assist in the prioritisation of funding for childcare.

Our Objectives

Our main objectives are:

• To develop a coordinated approach to childcare provision in the city.
• To increase the supply of childcare places to enable parents to avail of employment, training and education opportunities.
• To monitor the implementation of the childcare strategy for the city.
• To develop and support local childcare provider networks.
• To update and develop the baseline data provided in the National Childcare Census.
• To establish and maintain effective links with the appropriate structures, e.g. City Development Board, Health Board.

Initatives

Current and Future Initiatives:

• To identify childcare needs
• To provide childcare information and advice to parents, students, providers/staff.
• To support existing Childcare Provider/Childminding Networks.
• To develop and support parent networks.
• To promote the importance of quality childcare services.
• To offer support and advice to individuals/communities intending to provide new childcare services in the city.
• To provide support and advice to childcare providers who wish to improve the quality of their service.
• To support ongoing professional training and development within the childcare sector.
• To work in partnership with other agencies to develop and implement best practice guidelines for quality childcare provision.
• To develop initiatives to support the development of services, which are accessible to children with divers/special, needs.
• To encourage and support childminders to be active participants in the formal childcare sector.