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Page 1:  · Web viewAs part of our on-going collaborative work we have set up “Monaghan Communities Parenting Together” to progress the delivery of parenting supports through parenting

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Annual report

2011

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Contents

Mission Statement

Page

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Introduction 4

National Childcare Investment Programme 5

Training & Networking 6

Collaboration Projects

1. Transitions Project2. National Roads Authority3. Chatterbox project4. Congolese Re-settlement 5. CAWT – Social Inclusion6. CAWT Obesity7. Child Protection Training8. Equality & Diversity projects9. Supporting Parents

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Monaghan County Childcare Committee structure 13

Conclusion 14

Mission Statement

Monaghan County Childcare Committee promotes the development and delivery of accessible and affordable high quality early childhood care and

education services which assist the overall developmental needs of

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children and supports parents and childcare service providers throughout County Monaghan.

Introduction

In 2011 Monaghan County Childcare Committee had another very good year. We worked continuously to develop the Childcare sector and were again very successful in the implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme, The Childcare subvention Scheme and the Childcare Education and Training Support Scheme. The result is a massive 96% uptake on the scheme across the County. In addition, the Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) Scheme, with its increased uptake, shifted our planned priorities for the year. The Childcare Subvention Scheme is rolled out in 30 Community Services, with approximately 1000 families availing of reduced childcare costs in the County.

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To add value to our core programme, we worked vigorously during 2011 with a range of complementary funding to increase the level and type of service offered, making a consistent and unique contribution to the development, sustainability and professionalism of the early childhood sector in County Monaghan. In this regard we have been successful is accessing funding for parenting supports and equality & diversity projects from the Peace Ⅲ Partnership, Monaghan County Council and are closely connected to the CAWT, (Co-operation and Working Together) Project funded through INTERREG Ⅳ that allow us to engage with parents of children with a disability, new mothers and socially excluded families. We continue to work closely with the HSE, Dublin North East on a number of projects and have received funding from the National Lottery and FÁS Social Inclusion Fund to provide additional supports to parents and childcare providers.

One of the biggest highlights of the year was a Conference for parents, funded through the National Lottery which marked 10 years since the establishment of the County Childcare Committee. This conference held on the 18th June had 100 participants attending, most of them parents, who enjoyed talks from a motivational speaker talking about building self-esteem in young children, local politicians and a local Child Psychologists. It also allowed us to highlight the work of the CCC, from all the capital projects to the staffing and subvention schemes and enhanced employment opportunities in the sector. We received great reviews from participants and excellent media coverage through the local media.

National Childcare Investment Programmes

In Co Monaghan we have been very proactive in developing a really good relationship with all the childcare services and this is evident in the high rate of compliancy with all the terms and conditions of the various Government childcare funding schemes. Another aspect of our success is that we have strong focus on quality and continuing the professional development of the childcare sector.

We were delighted that 58 services 96% of all services are contracted to the ECCE scheme, 55 existing and 3 new, with some of the services opening a second pre-school room in September to meet the increased demand.

60 Calendars and fees policies are also approved. 22 Services have CETS allocations with a total of 69 places. We devised a user friendly leaflet and poster for Services and parents on the various schemes and eligibility for inclusion.

Development staff of Monaghan CCC continues to support services in all areas of delivery from recruitment of staff, electronic returns and compliance and support to meet the requirements of all the National

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Schemes and the Pre-school inspection through phone calls and visits. We responded to a large volume of phone calls, from parents, providers and statutory agencies. We had 4 new applicants for the higher capitation scheme, displaying the commitment from services to improving quality.

Quality

The ECCE requirement for minimum level 5 and Level 6 as a future requirement has had a positive impact on practitioners availing of further training, with the majority of services now with at least one member of staff with a level 6 qualification and an average of 10 services now have at least one member of staff with the Early Years Degree. We are working closely with Dundalk Institute of Technology to establish the BA Honours Degree on a part time basis so that existing childcare workers can continue with their professional development. Improving the quality of Childcare Services in Co Monaghan remains a priority for the Childcare Committee in line with the National Objective. We have assisted with the organising and attended all of the Siolta workshops delivered through the Border Counties Childhood Network (4 workshops in 2 locations) with a total of 215 participants attending from 45 services, to support in the delivery of the Siolta raising awareness workshops. This has resulted in additional work i.e. time and financial resources on a reduced budget.

We have introduced Aistear to Practitioners in 2011 and held 2 workshops with 35 participants from 27 Services attending. The tips on Aistear for parents have also been widely distributed at the conference in June as well as at the 9 parent information evenings held in Childcare Services.

Intensive work has been done to develop School age Childcare services in 2011 with workshops and network meetings. In total there are 24 school age childcare services operating on a daily basis with a further 10 services offering full day care for afterschool children.

Training & Networking

As the focus of our work changes over time, directed by the Department for Children and Youth Affairs, the opportunities for networking increased although this networking was more informal in 2011 than planned. Services involved in the ECCE, CCS and CETS met for information sessions delivered by the Childcare Support Team. This proved to be a very effective way of delivering information and allowing Managers/Owners to network. The additional work in the form of contracts for the different schemes meant that services are engaging more than ever with the Childcare Committee. The success of the National road safety campaign and the Peace funded Equality & Diversity programme and the numbers availing of the various training opportunities were deemed to be highlights of the year.

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We are delighted to have 100 participants availing of FETAC level 6 modules, delivered in 2 locations on a weekly basis with many of the participants completing their award in June. There has been a healthy demand for FETAC Level 6 within the County and we are continuing to organise, in partnership with Monaghan VEC, more modules at FETAC level 5 & 6. In total 131 people availed of accredited training We also continued to roll out short non accredited training that has allowed for the professional development of the sector. There were 228 places on non-accredited training in 2011 with 16 short training courses including First Aid, sourced and organised by CCC training Officer.Networking with Monaghan CCC is still very popular and 404 places were accounted for at network meetings.

Many Networking opportunities were availed of during the year with workshops forming part of the sessions. The High/Scope Managers Network met on 2 occasions to share information and plan for the future development of their services. We engaged Mel Duffy, High/Scope Trainer to deliver training to staff of High/Scope Services. Training in HR and Accounting for owner/managers and committees was provided which also formed part of networking opportunities for this group.

Collaboration CAWT- (Co-operation and Working Together)

Social Inclusion project for Vulnerable Women As part of our interagency working, we were offered an opportunity to engage with the HSE and Derry Well Women in a CAWT Social Inclusion Project. As a Community & Voluntary agency we were in a position to sign a service level agreement and employ a Development Worker to deliver projects primarily to women. This Project is funded through INTERREG 1V and our involvement allows us to engage with parents of children with a disability, new mothers, breastfeeding mothers and socially excluded families.

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Transitions Projectfrom Pre-school to Primary School

In March 2011, staff from Monaghan County Childcare Committee and Monaghan Integrated Development met to discuss the possibility of establishing a pilot Pre-School to Primary School Transition Project in County Monaghan.

The need for this type of project arose from initial consultation work undertaken by both organisations in consulting with key stakeholder groups, i.e. parents, pre-schools and primary schools, as well as reports from successful transitions programmes. Work has been ongoing in the County to promote the smooth transition of young people from Primary to Post Primary education but there has been no formal programme developed for Pre-School to Primary School. Locations for involvement in the project were selected on the basis of the number of children availing of Childcare Government Funded Schemes within the Pre-School and the proximity of Pre-School to Primary School and CLAR area.

In this project we hope to promote the involvement of parents in their children’s education from an early age and encourage a smooth transfer of children from Pre-School to Primary School. We also hope to promote linkage and cooperation between the Pre-School and Primary School Sectors and provide resources of benefit to both Pre-School and Primary School Sector.

We are currently developing a transitions resource booklet entitled “Making the Move” which will be completed in the preschool with sections for the parent and child to complete at home during the child’s preschool year. The final section will be completed in infant’s class when the child enters primary school. This was developed in consultation with preschool providers, parents and primary school Principals and infant’s teachers. Work on completing the resource booklet is progressing well with extremely positive feedback from all involved. The preschools and schools have already held a getting to know you event for the children

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where the preschool children have already visited the primary school. We have a number of other events planned for 2012. To date this has been both enjoyable and beneficial as an introduction to school for the children.

As part of the project we also provided a joint workshop for teachers and preschool practitioners on managing behaviour. While this was very useful in developing relationships between the two sectors, we would also envisage that the continuity between preschool and primary in managing behaviour will be of great benefit for the transition for the children and parents. The next strand in the pilot is to have focus groups with the parents, followed by a networking event for all stakeholders Practitioners, Parents and Teachers.

Road Safety Authority

Beep Beep day

The RSA has created an Early Years pack called "Simon and Friends" which provides suggestions and resources in road safety and how it can be encouraged in the pre-school setting. The pack includes ideas using art, drama and stories.This has been our second year to work with the National Roads Authority with the roll out of the Beep Beep day, National Road safety programme for Pre-school children. In rolling out this programme we had an opportunity to work with a number of local agencies including the Garda Siochana and the County Council.Childcare Practitioners have participated in training provided by the Childcare Committee to support them in delivering the road safety initiative to the children. Beep Beep day was held during road safety week where the Childcare Committee staff, Preschool practitioners children and parents went out on the roads all wearing their High Vis Vests and practiced their road safety skills and knowledge with the support of the Gardaí and Monaghan Co Council.

Children FirstChild protection Training

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Staff of Monaghan CCC has been trained to deliver Keeping Safe, Child Protection training under the Keeping Safe Initiative Cavan/Monaghan/Meath as cascade trainers. In 2011 this training was delivered to 82 practitioners from 27 Services. There is huge demand for training on an on-going basis and Development Staff of the Childcare Committees can deliver it tailored to the needs of the childcare practitioners therefore improving the overall quality of services in Co Monaghan.

Congolese re-settlement ProjectWe have successfully engaged with the Congolese Community, part of the resettlement programme for Refugees in Co Monaghan, and placed all pre-school children in Community childcare services in Monaghan and Carrickmacross.

Intensive support was given to Service Providers and the new Parents during this period and training in equality & diversity was provided to the Services involved. Through the Education sub-committee, where we took a lead role, we have established after-school services for these children in 2 primary schools focusing on language and integration through play opportunities.

Chatterbox Service

The Chatterbox Service is a unique collaboration between the HSE and Cavan/Monaghan County Childcare Committees. Our aims are to increase access to Speech and Language Therapy Services (SLT) for all preschool aged children (0-5). The Chatterbox Team consists of Speech and Language Therapists and an Assistant working in partnership with others in community and voluntary sectors. We work in partnership with childcare providers and families at a community level.

Chatterbox provision:

1. Screening in preschools to identify speech and language needs and onward referral to the local SLT Dept., if required.2. Language support given to children with identified needs.3. Training and support for preschool staff in identifying SLT difficulties and stimulating speech and language development. 4. Training and support for parents in stimulating speech and language development

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5. Rhyme time and early language groups for parents and toddlers.6. Home visiting to identified families needing additional support.7. Involvement in ante-natal care to provide a preventative approach to

ante-natal care.8. Community Speech and Language clinics located in two Family Resource Centres. The aim being to increase attendance by having the clinic more accessible for services users in these areas. A family centered approach is used to meet the complexity of need in the area. This involves working alongside community and statutory agencies.

CAWT Obesity Project

We are also working with the Border Counties Childhood Network, the HSE, Dublin North East, Integrated Development Companies and Cavan CCC on a CAWT, INTERREG funded Obesity project that began in September in designated areas in Cavan and Monaghan. This project aims to promote healthy family lifestyles through the prevention and management of childhood obesity through diet, physical activity and emotional well-being. Working as part of the steering committee of this Project, allows Monaghan Childcare Committee to engage with parents, the multi-disciplinary team from the HSE and Childcare providers. Projects are delivered through Pre-schools in both Cavan and Monaghan.

Equality & Diversity

In 2011 we saw the successful conclusion of the “Play for All” Equality & Diversity project. Funding for this project was awarded to the Childcare Committee by Monaghan County Council Peace 111 Programme. The Play for all resource pack and story board was developed by the Project Worker, Titilola Ossai, and delivered to all Childcare Services, including childminders throughout County Monaghan. Each service received tailor made diversity training and a significant resource pack. As part of the training the childcare staff learnt about differences in culture, religion, and ethnicity whilst also acknowledging and celebrating the similarities that

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exist. This learning, with the aid of the resources, was then transferred to the Children in their setting and indirectly to their families at home.

As part of this Project, and responding to the feedback from the childcare services, we also devised and delivered a 2 hour training programme for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and non-Irish parents. This training was aimed at promoting the integration of immigrant parents into the Irish culture.

While Non-Irish Nationals received training as part of the Peace project , parents of children with a disability are being supported through the CAWT project.

Respecting differenceWe are now working in Partnership with Early Years NI to deliver Respecting Difference training with 10 services in the County while another 4 are working towards receiving a FETAC level 5 awards in Equality & Diversity through the national collaborative. In total 303 Childcare Workers, including Childminders received training in Equality & Diversity in 2011.

Supporting Parents

Since its establishment, Monaghan Childcare Committee has worked closely with the HSE, Family Support, Monaghan Integrated Development and other statutory and voluntary agencies within the County. As part of our on-going collaborative work we have set up “Monaghan Communities Parenting Together” to progress the delivery of parenting supports through parenting courses, signposting and establishing parenting groups. We have successfully delivered the Swings and Slides parenting course (devised by Louth CCC in conjunction with HSE, Dublin North East), funded through the Peace Programme to over 150 parents. This six week course looks at communicating with the child, healthy eating options, setting boundaries and managing behaviour management and included a diversity module to meet the requirements of the Peace funding. The feedback from these courses has been very positive and we are continuing to find ways to fund this programme and train HSE Personnel to work in partnership with Pre-school staff to deliver sections if not all of this course during the pre-school year.

Building the link between Parenting and Childcare Services

Working with parents in this way also ensures that they are engaging more fully with the service, they become more connected with the day to

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day management of the service and begin to take ownership of their children’s early education.

It is fair to say that the relationship between the Pre-school Leader/ Manager of Full Day Care and parents attending the service is a very good one. Parents have no difficulty in approaching the Pre-school Leader with queries relating to their child. This relationship has the potential to become a vital resource in the delivery of parenting programmes and in particular behaviour management strategies and family support. In doing this we are attempting to:

Modifying the behaviour and improving the health of young children attending the service

Raising parents self-esteem and building their capacity as parents Promoting learning as a lifelong experience

Removing stigma of accessing supports through Child Protection services

Promoting a positive approach to healthy communities through working with all agencies, statutory & community.

We held nine parent evenings in services in Childcare services around the County to promote the ECCE. In total 180 parents attended.

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Structures and Operations

Monaghan County Childcare Committee has been registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee since the 19th November 2001.At present there are 7 directors and 12 members

Directors Members Bernie Bradley Dr Fiona Mc Grath Siobhan Mc Cormick Ms Alexia Mc KennaSiobhain Keenan Ms Carol MartinTeresa Mc Goohan Ms Maureen Mc DermottMr Gabriel O Connell Ms Ursula Mc kenna Patricia Mc Elwain Ms Marie Cunningham Ms Alice Mc Mahon Ms Ursula Mc kenna

Ms Marie CunninghamMs Emma MiddletownMs Alice Forde

Current Staff of Monaghan CCC (as at 31.12.11)

Childcare Co-ordinator F/T Breda Mc KennaFinance Administrator P/T Marie O Brien Support & Development Worker F/T

Jennifer Mc Carney

Development Worker P/T Ursula Mc Quaid CAWT Social Inclusion Project, Development Worker

Collette Deeney

Information and Training Officer P/T

Noreen Mc Kenna

Chatterbox Project –SLT Assistant – Funded through HSE

Carmel Feeley

Community Employment Caretaker

Gabriel Mc Cormick

Community Employment Siobhan Cawley TÚS WORKER Parenting Officer Loretta Mc Phillips

Conclusion

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This report on Monaghan CCC;s Local Implementation Plan 2011 details all the planned work and the additional work carried out by all staff to ensure the success of all the National Childcare Programmes for young children and their families in Co Monaghan.

The 2011 Action Plan submitted to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs was completed on time. Additional work was added as the year went on and as always staff carried out all work with diligence and dedication to the sector.Monaghan CCC is now clearly established within Co Monaghan, engaging with all the statutory and voluntary agencies, local specific action groups, the Education sector and well as cross border and Peace funded programmes and at regional and National level. We are represented at the County Development Board where we make regular presentations, provide reports and make contributions to meetings.

We have exceeded targets in many areas of our pLlNNED work, with staff listening to and responding to the needs of the sector in Co Monaghan. The budget cuts have put a major strain on resources and we lost our part time Secretarial worker at the beginning of the year and the Childminding Advisory Officer at the end of March.

We are fortunate to have our own training/meeting room and highly competent staff, backed up by FAS CE and the TÚS Programme were able to carry out most of the work of supporting services, providing training and disseminating information from our base here in Monaghan Town.

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