Future Of Childcare Consultation Launched

Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann are encouraging people to come forward and deliver their views on the future of childcare in the province.

The Junior Ministers were speaking at a public consultation event on the Executive’s Childcare Strategy at the MAC in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said: "The Executive is committed to publishing and implementing a Childcare Strategy that will provide joined up and affordable childcare, which in turn will contribute to growing our economy and to addressing poverty and disadvantage.

"It is essential that we listen to the views of everyone involved including parents and childcare providers. These consultation events let us to hear first hand individual experiences and views for the future."

This was the first of six events with further events planned for Armagh, Enniskillen, Ballymena, Derry/Londonderry and Newry.

Junior Minister Jennifer McCann said: "Our Childcare Strategy aims to reflect a broad, holistic, integrated and coherent approach to the early years. It is widely accepted that both early years interventions and good quality childcare are critical factors in a child’s development and in creating life opportunities for some of our most deprived and vulnerable children, while resulting in greater outcomes for all our children and young people.

"The consultation events are an opportunity for everyone with an interest in Childcare to have their say. Thank you to everyone who has attended and I encourage people to come to future events so we can take onboard as many views as possible before developing the strategy."

The Executive is committed to publish and implement a Childcare Strategy that will provide integrated and affordable childcare. Public consultation on the Childcare Strategy started on 5 December 2012 and will continue until 5 March 2013.

(GK)