National Childrens Nurseries Association - About NCNA

The National Children's Nurseries Association was established in 1988 to promote high standards of quality childcare..

This countrywide organisation has membership of over 800. Members of the association promote the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of the children in their care, in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The work of the Association mainly concentrates on providing advice, support and training for member nurseries as well as raising public awareness regarding issues affecting the childcare sector.

The Main Aim of the National Children's Nurseries Association is:-
Emphasising the importance of early childhood experiences by working consistently to increase the quality of day-care in Ireland, through education, information and support of all involved in this sector.

To highlight the need for, and value of, nurseries in providing support for families. To increase the standards of provision by educating owners, staff, parents and legislators. To maintain high standards by developing awareness of the importance of high quality care, through the development and dissemination of information.

Our Subsidiary Aims are:-
1. To provide a national support network for nurseries.
2. To promote the welfare of children.
3. To liaise with other relevant groups, organisations or individuals in the field of childcare.
4. To keep abreast of new developments, new methods and approaches in the field of childcare.
5. To ensure the Association shall be non-political, non-sexist and non-sectarian.

NCNA REPRESENTS ITS MEMBERS:

• On The National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee
• On The County Childcare Committees through the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations
• By being affiliated to the National Women's Council
• By being members of I.B.E.C.
• By being members of Children's Rights Alliance
• By lobbying at local and government level on issues effecting the childcare sector

Profile of Membership

1. The profile of membership is varied but the majority are full day-care providers for children aged 3mths - 6yrs.
2. These members are across the spectrum of fully private establishments, workplace and community sponsored providers. Without exception all provide within their daily schedules structured sessions based on a variety of methods e.g. Montessori, playgroup. These sessions are usually for children aged 2.5yrs. upwards, divided into groups of 8 - 10 children and grouped according to age.
3. Children aged 3mths. to 2.5yrs. are cared for in similar groups in accordance with the pre-school regulations 1996.
4. In recent years the provision of after school services along side the pre-school service is increasingly common. This brings a new area of training needs in relation to the staff providing this service.

The affairs of the Association are managed by an Executive Committee of up to thirteen members, consisting of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, honorary secretary, honorary treasurer and nine other members, elected on an annual basis from the membership.

The National Children's Nurseries Association (NCNA)
Unit 12c, Bluebell Business Park,
Old Naas Road, Bluebell,
Dublin 12
Tel No:00353 01 460 1138
Fax No:00353 01 460 1185
Email: info@ncna.ie This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it