Ms Bernadette Orbinski Burke:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to make this presentation at a time when policy developments and structural changes will have a direct impact on the future of childminding in Ireland. We have lodged a submission with the committee and, in the interests of time, I will present a truncated version.

Many on the committee or their family members will have had children minded by a childminder. I ask members to picture that childminder. How will the new policy and regulatory environment impact on them and how are their views being captured by the Government as it makes changes?

We all want an environment that supports healthy, happy, safeguarded and flourishing children, which is what quality childminders provide to the children in their care. Childminding is a relationship-based, home-from-home form of childcare. The same childminder will typically mind a child from babyhood, through to secondary school.

Childminding is different from centre-based or creche care in a number of important respects. For example, childminding takes place in a family home and not a premises, childminders mind small numbers of children, spontaneity is possible and allows each childminding day to be child led and children belong there, rather than attend there.

Childminding Ireland is the organisation fighting for childminding, founded by childminders and run by childminders at every level. We represent over 4,000 childminding contacts throughout the country, with both childminders and parents using our services. We actively encourage childminders to become engaged. We believe in a grassroots approach and in empowering childminders.

For the first time in the history of the State, all childminding is being included in the regulatory and support system. We urge the committee to recommend that the one organisation with an authentic childminding voice should be adequately funded.

I know members want to hear our thoughts on the action plan for childminding. While Childminding Ireland supports the visions, aims and objectives of the action plan, we have serious concerns about the implementation. The action plan promises many positives. For example, training will be delivered in formats that are suited to childminders, while new regulations and a new inspection model specific to childminding will be introduced. However, we are deeply concerned about the implementation of the plan as the initial signs from the workforce development planning process are not positive The childminding sector should materially input on the shape of things to come and be in the majority, supported by relevant framework experts, for example, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, and education and training boards, ETBs, for the training and supports advisory group. The Department's method of consultation of childminders needs new thinking. We know the Department was satisfied with the consultation on the draft action plan but we were not.

There needs to be active engagement with parents who choose childminders for their children. Parental satisfaction with childminding is currently very high. Clarity is needed on the evaluation of progress. How will we know what is and is not working?

There is a lot yet to be decided. We need new thinking. The gravitational pull towards centre-based care as the norm is strong. Recommendations for childminding are being made through the prism of the centre-based view. The workforce development plan steering group is currently without a single childminding representative and the structures feeding into the group are dominated by centre-based interests.

Our recommendations are as follows. There are thousands of childminders that are unengaged and unaware that the action plan exists. This must be acknowledged and addressed. Childminders and those proximate to childminding must be in the majority on all of the advisory groups for the action plan. It is inappropriate for those not proximate to childminding to make recommendations for an entire workforce. Childminding Ireland must have a seat on the steering group for the workforce development plan. Childminding Ireland needs to be appropriately resourced to support and represent childminding and parents, particularly at this time of change.

I thank committee members for their time and attention and we are happy to answer questions.