Irish Childcare Policy Network (ICPN)
For updated information on this network please take a look at their website, www.icpn.ie
The Irish Childcare Policy Network (ICPN) was formed in 2004 following a national conference organised by the Border Counties Childcare Network (BCCN). It is comprised of representatives from a range of organisations and individuals working to promote the care, education and well-being of children aged from birth -14 years. Membership of the Network includes organisations that promote the needs and rights of children, support parents whether training, in education or working full time in the home or in the formal economy, national, regionaland local childcare support and development organisations, and those with an interest in community development (see list below for current members).
KHF has been an active member of this group and has provided small grants towards establishing the organisation. KHF supports the vision promoted by ICPN to encourage the provision of services based on children’s and families’ needs and rights, particularly supporting those with special needs and those living in disadvantaged circumstances.
Since its inception, the ICPN has worked to be inclusive of the many players working in or with the childcare sector, to respect the diversity of group members and to develop a cohesive vision and policy objectives to make this vision a reality.
ICPN promotes a childcare programme that will:-
- Support parents in promoting children’s health well being, learning and development from birth through supports in the home and in the community
- Extend paid maternity leave to 26 weeks and introduce paid paternity and paid parental leave
- Develop a pre-school development programme that will provide free, quality pre-school services for all children at least one year before attending primary school
- Subsidise all childcare services, including childminding and out of school provision to ensure they are affordable to all parents and meet national quality standards
- Improve and extend training and support to ensure all childcare services meet national quality standards and promote children’s health well being, learning and development
- Provide additional supports to children, parents and families with additional needs or experiencing disadvantage
Contact with ICPN can be made through the BCCN at 047 72469
Membership of the Irish childcare Policy Network
The Irish Childcare Policy Network is comprised at present (Nov 05) of the following individuals and agency representatives:
- Michelle Butler CCC Coordinator for Fingal CCC, representing the CCC’s in the South and South East
- Mary Gallo, Coordinator for Donegal CCC representing the CCC’s in the West and the Border Counties
- Áine Brummel, Co-ordinator for Offaly CCC, representing the Midlands CCC’s
- Ashling Hooper, representing the NCNA
- Irene Gunning/Marlene McCormick, representing the IPPA
- Máire Uí Ainín, representing An Forbairt Naoinraí Teo
- Ian Russell, representing the Irish Rural Link
- Margeret Caul, representing the Childcare Bureau
- Orla O Connor, representing the National Women’s Council
- Vivienne Rhatigan, Chairperson of Mayo CCC
- Breda Kenny, representing PLANET
- Orla Tuohy, Mary Walker O’Callaghan & Betty Homes, representing Lifestart
- Annette Kearney, Nora Gibbons & June Tinsley, representing Barnardos
- Nóirín Coghlan, representing the Ballymun Partnership
- Gillian Van Turnout, representing the Childrens Rights Alliance
- Eimear Brophy, representing the Limerick VEC
- Denise McCormilla & Michelle Hart, representing the Border Counties Childcare Network
- Mary McGrath & Patricia Murray, representing Childminding Ireland
- Anita White, representing the National Childminding Advisory Officers Forum
- Frances Byrne, representing OPEN
- Noëlle Spring, representing the Katherine Howard Foundation
- Dr. Nóirín Hayes, representing the CSER/DIT
- Marie Daly, representing TIDE
- Regina Bushell, private daycare provider
- May O’Donnell, community childcare provider
- Liz Canning, representing Highscope Ireland
- Geraldine French, Independent Early Years Consultant
- Packie Kelly, Chairperson, National Forum for Family Resource Centres