In the light of its findings, NICMA has called for the development of a regional training strategy specifically for childminders that was supported by appropriate funding and took into account all the barriers to training that they faced. It also called for mandatory 'Introduction to childminding' training prior to starting to care for children. At present, under the Children (NI) Order 1995, childminders are the only childcarers in the province who are not legally required to undergo any formal training.
The audit of 2,410 members of NICMA - more than half (54.7 per cent) of all registered childminders in Northern Ireland - found that less than 30 per cent had received basic training before becoming registered by social services.
The survey also found that only 20 per cent of NICMA childminders had received any child protection training. Only 4.2 per cent offered the specialised service of caring for children and families with additional needs to health and social services trusts, and, of those, only just over half had received training and support in this role.
The report said, 'This lack of mandatory training serves not only to reduce the quality of childminding provision, but also undermines the value that is placed on childminding as a professional quality service that meets children's needs.'
NICMA director Bridget Nodder said, 'All early years workers in day nurseries and playgroups in Northern Ireland are required to have mandatory training under the Children (NI) Order 1995. What we want is a level playing field for childminders that requires them to have training too.'
However, she acknowledged that there were problems in achieving this, as Northern Ireland's Children First childcare strategy comes under the auspices of three government departments - the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Department of Education, and the Department for Employment and Learning.
Barbara Quinn, NICMA training manager, said, 'Childminders are the only form of registered childcare provision with no requirement for training and/or qualifications, yet they care for the largest proportion of children for the longest day, care for the widest age range and are working in total isolation.
