Local authorities
NCMA believes
in developing strong working relationships with local authorities -
sustainable, quality childcare, rooted in the community, can
provide solutions to a number of the challenges raised by the
regeneration agenda.
Reliable home-based childcare gives parents the freedom to
return to work or study. It can help local employers to develop
their businesses, communities to achieve their regeneration aims,
and children to achieve their potential, socially and
educationally.
The Government acknowledges that: “For many parents the cost
and, or availability of suitable childcare can be a significant
barrier to returning to work or increasing working hours”.
Home-based childcarers provide flexible, cost-effective and
sustainable childcare places within local communities. They also
offer a unique family support service that can deliver the early
care and learning that studies have shown to be so important to
children’s futures.
Childminders and childminding networks are particularly
successful in their work with teenage parents, providing both
childcare and parenting support. This helps increase the
opportunities and life-chances for teenage parents and their
children, avoiding future social exclusion.
Encouraging registered childminding as part of a community’s
regeneration supports the Skills for Life agenda. People training
to be registered childminders have the opportunity to gain
accredited qualifications, opening up career paths for the future.
They also experience the wider benefits of learning – better
psychological health, self-confidence and self-esteem. This helps
to build the social capital of a community – an essential factor in
neighbourhood regeneration.
If you work for a local authority or related organisation, and
would like to discuss how registered and approved childcare can
enhance your social inclusion project, contact NCMA.