29th January 2025

The Fermanagh and Omagh Labour Market Partnership (FO LMP), on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, is proud to announce the launch of its Childminding Training Academy, a new initiative designed to increase the provision of affordable childcare within the District.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work. The Childminding Training Academy aims to tackle the growing challenge of affordable childcare in the area. Many parents struggle to return to work due to a lack of available childcare options, and this academy aims to address this gap by training local residents to become professional childminders.

The Academy is open to all residents of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area who are aged 18 or over. It is especially targeted at those who are unemployed, under-employed (working 16 hours or fewer per week), at risk of redundancy, or seeking career progression through upskilling or reskilling. It is also open to individuals not in employment due to reasons such as long-term health conditions, caring commitments, or early retirement.

Councillor John McClaughry, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, officially launched the Childminding Training Academy, saying:

“The availability of affordable, high-quality childcare is a growing concern for families across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area. By launching the Childminding Training Academy, we are investing in the future of childcare provision.

This academy will empower individuals with the professional skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional childminding services, ultimately increasing local childcare capacity and helping parents balance work and family life more effectively.”

The Academy will provide in-depth training focused on essential areas such as health and safety, child protection, and paediatric first aid, enabling participants to offer high-quality childminding services while also creating entrepreneurial opportunities within the local community.

The Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) has been appointed as the delivery agent for the programme. NICMA will deliver training to 15 participants, supporting them to meet the minimum requirements for registration as a professional childminder or approved home childcarer. Additionally, NICMA will offer mentoring support throughout the registration process with the Health and Social Care Trust Early Years team.

Patricia Lewsley-Mooney CBE, CEO of NICMA, expressed her excitement about the programme:

“We are delighted to deliver this opportunity to prospective childminders and Approved Home Childcarers in the Fermanagh and Omagh Council area. By supporting individuals entering the childcare sector, we aim to improve outcomes for children, families, and local communities. NICMA is committed to strengthening the home-based childcare sector and fostering positive community impacts, and we look forward to building this vital sector in the region.”

Places on the Childminding Training Academy are fully funded by the Department of Education, and participants will also receive support with essential childminding equipment to ensure safe and high-quality care.

Residents interested in participating in the academy can register their interest by contacting Grainne Scullion at grainne.scullion@nicma.org or by calling 075 1747 2271.

For more information about the Fermanagh and Omagh Labour Market Partnership and the range of initiatives available, email lmp@fermanaghomagh.com.