NVVC Policy Document
NVCC Mission Statement
The National Voluntary Childcare Collaborative is committed to promoting quality childcare in Ireland through collaboration between national voluntary childcare organisations and with other relevant agencies and to contributing as a key partner to the development of, and monitoring the implementation of national childcare policy.
Goal 1
| Childcare policies and programmes, which are child centred, rights based, universally available and accessible, and that are in the best interests of children. |
The NVCC believes that childcare policies and programmes must be driven by a philosophy that is child centred and rights based. We are passionately committed, to the right of every child to positive and life enhancing experiences, to building a society which values the uniqueness of every child and to policies and services which prioritise children’s’ developmental needs.
NVCC priorities are:
- One year’s free pre-school provision for all children in high quality, appropriate and regulated settings in the year prior to primary school entry.
- To promote services that are responsive to the needs of their communities.
- Promotion of diverse services – from home based childminding services to sessional and full day care services, and services that are inclusive of all children.
- The amendment of the 1991 Child Care Act to cover the range of services for 0-18 year-olds.
Goal 2
| Quality in childcare policies, services and supporting infrastructures. |
The NVCC believes that childcare policies and initiatives must be quality driven around the central tenets of child centeredness, children’s rights, universal availability, diversity and accessibility, and must always be in the best interests of children.
NVCC priorities are:
- The amendment of the 1991 Child Care Act to include school-age childcare and childminding with limited exemption of close relatives.
- The further development of the national voluntary childcare organisations’ quality support measures.
- An independent professional and appropriately trained inspectorate for all childcare services, which integrates health, education, environment and development.
- To promote the importance of play in childcare and school-age childcare settings.
Goal 3
| Funding policy, which promotes and sustains universal accessibility and equity across the range of diverse services. |
The NVCC believes that funding policy should focus on childcare initiatives that address the needs and rights of children.
NVCC priorities are:
- A funding policy, which places the rights and needs of children at its centre.
- To seek increased investment for the childcare sector.
- To seek funding programmes which enable sustainable services.
- To promote conditions that support all those providing childcare to participate in the formal economy.
Goal 4
| Training, professional development and quality employment conditions for those engaged in childcare. |
The NVCC believes that comprehensive training and continuing professional development opportunities are essential for provision of quality services. We believe a commitment to high training standards, continuing professional development and good working conditions must be underpinned by national policies, investment and infrastructure which value and support their achievement.
NVCC priorities are:
- Investment in training and continued professional development, ensuring that funded childcare courses are available free of charge to participants.
- Development of training and professional progression paths for all childcare practitioners.
- To advocate for the establishment of a national pay scale for childcare practitioners.
- To ensure Garda/Police vetting for all childcare practitioners.
Guiding Principles
The work of the NVCC is informed by the application of the following criteria:
How an initiative/proposal values and supports:
- Children and childhood
- The primacy of the family in children's lives
- Parental partnership in early years education
- Childcare provision based on children's needs and rights
- The important role of play
How a policy contributes to the development of:
- Services which are inclusive and responsive to their communities
- Holistic support
- Diversity of philosophy and provision of childcare services
- An overall strategy for children in Ireland
- Trained and qualified staff
- Ongoing professional development including pedagogical support
- Good employment practice and pay and conditions
- Evidence based quality in childcare initiatives
How a proposal is:
- Meeting a real need for quality childcare
- Likely to contribute to long term sustainability
- Non-threatening to existing services
- Supporting childcare service provision equitably – across service type
- Encouraging childminders into the formal economy
- Linked to the achievement of quality indicators
- Supportive of professional development and good employment standards
- Setting appropriate training and qualification standards
- Rewarding training achievement at an appropriate level
- Mainstreaming childcare training as a recognised 3 rd level/vocational pathway with all the related financial and other supports at this level
- Defining clear progression paths
How a proposal:
- Supports managers and providers in the sector
- Ensures that childcare providers are mentored and supported in the provision of services to children
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