Childcare Plan
View the Westmeath County Childcare Committee Strategic Plan 2007 - 2010. Please note this is quite a large file. We recommend that you open the following: Executive Summary of Strategic Plan 2007 - 2010.
The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, initiated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in 1996, and administered by Area Development Management Limited, has brought many advantages to Early Years Care and Education services in Westmeath. Improvements have been delivered in the form of much-needed grants towards community childcare; training and support to childcare providers; the opportunity to expand existing childcare services with both capital and staffing grants, and the development of new models of provision throughout the county. These supports have benefited hundreds of children, and have increased the number of childcare places in the county.
Alongside the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, the Childcare (Pre-school Services) Regulations as implemented by the Midland Health Board have proven a positive force in setting standards for childcare services in Westmeath, and have been welcomed by the county's childcare providers who for many years have been providing quality childcare services with little or no recognition or support.
Westmeath County Childcare Committee has been charged with the responsibility of taking the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme to a new level. The current strength of the national economy, and the consequent raising of the profile of childcare at county and national level, have provided a unique opportunity for this county to meet the aspirations of our childcare providers and of parents, with unprecedented impetus, opportunity and resources for the development of childcare services in Westmeath.
In drawing up this Childcare Plan for Westmeath, the Committee have adopted a bottom-up, "problem-solving" approach to development of quality care and education services for children. We have identified the county's strengths and opportunities, and sought to quantify and mitigate threats and weaknesses. The Committee has forged new links, and identified new ways of working in partnership within local, county and national structures. We have identified, as never before, the obstacles and challenges ahead, and the means by which we can realise our common vision and achieve our mutual goals. We look forward to delivering a Childcare Plan that will enhance not just the childcare services of today, but also the lives of the county's citizens of the future.
In conclusion, and following on a protracted and necessary series of countywide consultations, we believe this plan to be your plan, your blueprint for the development of childcare in this county and into the future. We know we can implement this plan with all of your continued and valuable inputs and assistance.
Christopher Murtagh,
Chairperson,
Westmeath County Childcare Committee
Funded by the Irish Government
under the National Development Plan 2007-2013
