Childcare
2009 has been another busy and successful year for the creche. Childcare staff undertook regular updates on child protection training, attended a seminar on swine flu as well as updating first aid skills and food hygiene training. This keeps the team up to date and ensures that the crèche is always operating within health and safety regulations and that staff are equipped to handle any situation that may arise.
In 2009 we maintained the practice of providing training placements for apprentice childcare workers. This year they were from North West Regional College, St Cecilia’s and Rutledge Joblink. These young trainee’s bring their enthusiasm and time to the day to day operation of the creche and are invaluable as part of our childcare team. This also promotes the Women’s Centre’s aim of contributing to the creation of a childcare infrastructure with well trained and qualified staff.
As childhood is an important time in the development of good eating habits, we help to positively influence this stage in children’s lives. The children enjoy a range of organic food choices every day through the healthy eating programme. Introducing them gradually to healthier food will influence the children and mums about food options.The creche is a true reflection of the Derry we live in today - the children in the crèche include a number from different cultures/countries including Russia, Poland, Latvia, the Philippines, Iran, Japan and India. This diversity brings added value to our multi-cultural experience and awareness. Children and staff benefit from the culturally diverse environment. It creates multiple learning opportunities for us all and has a very effective positive influence on integration for our local communities.
We continued to expand services in 2009 by offering part time drop in créche places when the spaces are available. Promoting flexible childcare options is an important element in the Centre’s ongoing efforts to promote an affordable childcare infrastructure. We maintain a close relationship with the crèche mothers as we see the children regularly. As a result we are well placed to respond to questions about the babies’ welfare and development. Guidance and support information is available as well as referral information. When we need to, we can direct mothers to other agencies and signpost them to individuals and organisations. This process works very effectively as the centre’s environment is conducive to building relationships of trust and encouragement. Throughout 2009 a significant number of children and mums benefited directly from this service.
The crèche provides a great space for the SAM’s programme mums and babies. The babies are on site while the mums have a chance to settle in to their education activities without worries about childcare. The WELB’s SAMs project has been one of the most effective interventions in recent years to address the needs of very young mothers and their babies.The support and encouragement offered by the education and health teams is complimented by the Women’s Centre’s supportive environment and by the input from the childcare staff in particular. We continue to pursue our aim “provision of high quality affordable childcare services for all” promoting flexible community based services so that all children have an equal chance to access a good start in life in a positive and social play environment.
We said farewell to Rebecca and Shauna in 2009 and welcomed Ann Quigley, Maria Smyth and Louise McMonagle to the Women’s Centre. It’s thanks to the childcare team that we achieved the results. Success is based on continuing to provide a happy playful and engaging environment for the children with a welcome, open arms approach. Thanks to DHSS&PS-Children’s Fund Unit, The Big Lottery Fund, DSDWomen’s Centres Childcare Fund (WCCF) and the LSP-ILM programme for supporting the childcare services in 2009.