National Childrens Nurseries Association - Frequently Asked Questions

Parents

• How do I choose a childcare service?

   

  9 Steps to Choosing a Childcare Service- A Parents Guide

  There are many reasons why parents choose daycare in a nursery for their children. There are also many issues parents need to consider when choosing the right nursery or creche for their child. The most important consideration is that parents are happy and comfortable with the decision that they have made. The right nursery is one which will meet the child's emotional and developmental needs, while at the same time, meeting the needs of the family. This guide provides step by step advice for parents on making this decision. This user friendly booklet contains various questions to ask, things to think about, what to look out for and what children want from childcare.

   

  Download here

   

  Why choose a NCNA Member?

  NCNA Member services are supported by their Early Childhood Quality Advisor therefore have visits and phone contact from a professional organisation- NCNA. Our members are aware of quality childcare and strive to provide this for your child. NCNA member nurseries recieve regular information updates on quality standards, childcare issues and training. NCNA members recieve a training discount on nearly all our high quality training courses- meaning they are more encouraged to send staff on these courses, which means higher qualified workers with greater expertise. They also have access to our member only section on www.ncna.ie which hosts valuable information articles on all aspects of quality childcare, access to forums to discuss childcare issues and get support from their peers and from NCNA Advisory Team. Member services have access to experienced childcare professionals on a daily basis for information and support via phone and email.

  All of this means that your child is cared for in a environment that is supported by NCNA.

  All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award

  Your child may be in a service that has achieved our All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award (AICOE). This Award is given to services that display excellence in quality early years care and education provision for children. To find out more about this Award why not have a look on our AICOE page?

   

• How does the childcare search work

  Just use the search box - it's easy peeesy!

• What vaccinations does my child need?

   

   

  Age	Where	Vaccination	What protection	Injections
  2 Mths	Free from GP	6 in 1         Pneumococcal Conjugate	Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (pertussis) HiB Haemophilus Influnzae B Polio Hepatitis B Pneumococcal	2
  4 Mths	Free from GP	6 in 1         Meningococcal C	Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (pertussis) HiB Haemophilus Influnzae B Polio Hepatitis B Meningitis C	2
  6 Mths	Fre from GP	6 in 1           Pneumoccal Conjugate Meningococcal C	Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (pertussis) HiB Haemophilus Influnzae B Polio Hepatitis B Pneumococcal Meningitis C	3
  12 Mths	Free from GP	MMR   Pneumoccal Conjugate	Measles Mumps Rubella Pneumoccal	2
  13 Mths		Meningococcal C HiB	Meningitis C HiB Haemophilus Influnzae B	2
  4 to 5 Yrs	Free from GP Free in School or GP	4 in 1   MMR	Diphtheria Tetanus Whooping Cough (pertussis) Polio Measles Mumps Rubella	2

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Marilyn Kelly, ADPHN Immunisation

  Child Health Office, HSE

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Marilyn Kelly, ADPHN Immunisation

  Child Health Office, HSE West, 25 Newcastle Road, Galway Tel: 091-546180

Childcare

• What do I need to know about ECCE/ Free Pre-School Year?

  2010 Scheme

  Who is entitled to a free pre school place?

  Children who were born between 2nd February 2006 and 30th June 2007.

  What are my options?

  €48.50 capitation- 50 Week Scheme

  This scheme is suited to children who are in full or part time day care and is available over 3 days per week (3 hrs 45 mins) or 5 days per week (2 hrs 15 mins). Parents recieve €48.50 off their childcare fee & capitation is paid over 50 weeks of the year.

  €64.50 capitation- 38 Week Scheme

  This scheme is available to children who are attending a sessional service. This service is free to parents. Children are entitled to 3 hours free pre school education 5 days per week. This Scheme works to a term time calendar and services have been encouraged to work in tandem with their local primary school. If parent wish to avail of additional hours they can do this at an extra charge.

   

• Who are the Advisory Team & what do they do?

  Who are the Advisory Team?

   

  The NCNA Advisory Team is comprised of Rita Melia, National Policy Advisor, 5 Early Childhood Quality Advisors and a Childcare Communications Officer. The team is: Maire Corbett, Fiona Kelleher, Debbie Mullen, Kathleen Tuite, Emer Lynch and Emma Doherty.

   

  What does the Advisory Team do?

   The NCNA Advisory Team provides assistance and advice to all our members from setting up of service through to established childcare services, and visits members to offer guidance and support. Early Childhood Quality Advisors or formally Regional Support Workers support, advise and inform the members in their elected areas through visits and phone support. Emma Doherty is the office based Childcare Communications Officer, who offers support, advice and information over the phone and via the NCNA website. The Advisory Team work with local city and county childcare committees, Preschool Officers and other agencies in the area with an interest or value in childcare.  

   

  What Areas are covered?

  In order to provide the most effective system of support for our members the NCNA Advisory Team support providers all the country. Each ECQA has responsibility for specific areas. To find out who covers what area you should look up our Advisory Team Page here

Membership

• What benefits do I get from joining?

  What benefits will I receive as an NCNA member?

   

  You will save money through our-

  -     Group insurance scheme

  -     Group VHI scheme

  -     Group pension scheme

  -     Garda Vetting for your staff

  -     Low cost, high quality training

          Comprehensive Regional in-service training

          NCNA/NUI Diploma in Nursery Management

          Tailor Made Training specific to your need 

   

  What type of communication will I receive?

  Website- your childcare service will be on the NCNA website and can be accessed by parents seeking childcare. Details will include contact details, location, with Google map directions, pictures of your service and links to your website.  NCNA website is updated by NCNA Staff ensuring that up to date, relevant information is there when you need it! Current information, advice and support will be uploaded regularly to keep NCNA Members and the Childcare Sector up to date on all developments- big and small.

  Magazine- You will receive free copies of the NCNA Annual magazine, The most recent NCNA Magazine was posted out to members in Decemeber. The magazine hosts a huge amount of information, advice and support. Some of this years edition included articles on-

  - Supporting children's positive behaviour

  - Siolta & Aistear

  - Hueristic Play

  - A workforce development plan for the Irish Early Childhood Education & Care Sector

  Regular bulletins- for you and the parents in your service. Bulletins will be smaller publications that give information oncurrent issues- our June Buletn contained lots of information on ECCE as it is a very topical issue at present. Bulletins help give our members a sense of what is happening at NCNA- what we do, where we've been & whats coming up.

  Regular circulars updates will be sent to members on our mailing lists giving details of updates and new information. You can also sign up to recieving information circulars and updates on oue HOme Page here

  All of the above are features of NCNA communication with members emails and website updates are two which we will be actively building on and improving on this year.

   

• What Resources & Publications do NCNA provide?

  What publication & Resources are available to me?

   

  NCNA has a comprehensive set of publications and resources available to the childcare sector. These resources are informed by member’s opinions, suggestions and input- making them valuable assets to your service. NCNA members receive all our publications and resources at discounted rates of up to 20% for some.

  Publications

   -After School- The Way Forward

  -To Do Or Not To Do- Ethical Practice guidelines

  -Towards Quality Daycare- Minimum Quality Standards in a Nursery

  (Received free of charge upon payment of NCNA Membership)

  - After School- The Way Forward

  - Centre of Excellence Manual- Self Evaluation Profile

  - Guiding Practitioners through Observations, Planning & Reflection

  - Quality Matters

         Resources

  - Individual Child Records

  - Staff Record Book

  - Child/Staff Attendance Registers

  - HACCP Record System

  - Fire Safety Pack

  - Daily Record Books

  - Accident Incident Book

  - Medication Record Sheets

   

  See our online shop for Pricing & Special Offers!!

• Who is membership open to?

  Who is membership open to?

   

        NCNA Membership is open to-

  -Owners, managers and staff of:

  - Early Childhood Care & Education services

  - Full day care services

  - School Age childcare

  - In all sectors, community, private and workplace

  People involved in the education and training of childcare workers

  People working in childcare

  Other interested people whose aims are consistent with those of the association

   

  Are there different types of membership & how do I apply?

  Membership policy and procedures

  
  Category A
  This category applies to Nursery/Crèche owners, managers, members of management committees or any person with direct responsibility for the day today management of a childcare service who has notified the Health Board. All services under the ownership/management of a member must be notified to the organisation for assessment. A membership fee has to be paid in respect of each individual premises. The owner/manager may nominate a member from each individual centre.

  Procedure for Application for Category A Membership:                                                      -Please fill in the application membership form and return with application membership fee 150 Euro, which is non-refundable.                                                            

  -You will be contacted by your Regional Support Worker
  -You will then receive a membership assessment visit by your Regional Support Worker.                     

  - All information will then be assessed by NCNA membership subcommittee                   

  - On completion of the assessment process you will be notified regarding the status of your membership application                                                                                           

   -On notification of acceptance a membership fee of 120 Euro is due for current year. Membership fee for a second service is 160 Euro. Membership fee is due annually in January thereafter. On receipt of your membership fee you will then receive membership number, NCNA constitution, NCNA publications and NCNA membership logo for display at your premises                        

   

  NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICANTS may not state that they are members until such time as the full process is completed. On completion of the process you will be entitled to avail of group schemes.

  
  Category B

  Full membership of the association shall be open to people involved in the education and training of childcare workers, people working in childcare and other interested people whose aims are consistent with those of the Association.  

  Procedure:

  Complete and return application form with €110 membership fee                              

  - Membership application plus all relevant information will be brought before  NCNA membership subcommittee                                                                                                              

  On acceptance of membership - members receive membership number, copy of constitution and NCNA publications.

• Why Join NCNA?

  Why become a member of NCNA?

   

  You will become a member of a recognised professional body. NCNA represent their members on the issues that concern you as childcare providers. Members can also access high quality training at reduced costs. The NCNA Advisory Team provides support, advice, guidance and information to all our members. NCNA members will receive our bulletin, magazine and regular email updates. Once your membership is processed you can get your service details added to our website, advertise staff vacancies and network with other NCNA members. Members will also receive discounted prices on all NCNA publications and resources.

  How does NCNA represent me as a member?

   

  NCNA represents its members in numerous forms:

  -         on the National Childcare Coordinating Committee

  -         on the County Childcare Committees through the National Voluntary Childcare Collaborative

  -         affiliated to the National Women’s Council

  -         members of IBEC

  -         being members of the Children’s Rights Alliance

  -         on the Ballymun Childcare Working Group

  -         on the School Age Childcare Collaborative

  -         on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)  

  -         on the National Childcare Training Strategy

  -         on the Pre School Standardisation Report Working Group

  -         on the Border Counties Network

  -         by lobbying at local and government level on the issues affecting the childcare sector

  What benefits will I receive as an NCNA member?

   

  You will save money through our-

  -     Group insurance scheme

  -     Group VHI scheme

  -     Group pension scheme

  -     Garda Vetting for your staff

  -     Low cost, high quality training

               Comprehensive Regional in-service training

               NCNA/NUI Diploma in Nursery Management

               Tailor Made Training specific to your need