About the Eastern Childcare Partnership

The Eastern Childcare Partnership (ECP) was established in February 2000 following the launch of "Children First: the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy".

The Eastern Childcare Partnership covers the eastern area of Northern Ireland from Belfast (north) to Newcastle (south) and from Dromara (west) to Portavogie (east). The eastern area has a population of 671,579 which accounts for 38% (approximately) of the total population of Northern Ireland. The Partnerships geographical remit is the same as that of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB).

Source: NINIS MYE July/Aug 2007

The key responsibilities of the Partnership are:

1. Bringing statutory, community and voluntary sectors with responsibilities for Early Years services, together in a spirit of co-operation and partnership;
2. Agreeing how needs can be met and ensuring that the diverse needs of local children and their parents are recognised and influence the planning process;
3. Drawing up and agreeing a three year Childcare Plan which states what developments the Partnership will be progressing;
4. Referring the Plan to the EHSSB for approval;
5. Implementing the Plan and monitoring progress on an annual basis;

Childcare Partnership members are responsible for;

1. Representing the views of the interest group, or constituency they represent;
2. Promoting the best interest of children and families in the area;
3. Ensuring the organisation or group they represent is kept up to date with developments within the Partnership.

The Eastern Childcare Partnership’s membership collectively represents the range of Sectors and geographical areas within the eastern region.

Click here for more information about the ECP membership.

The Partnership supports a series of Sub Groups which are small working groups, responsible for progressing the diverse range of work set out within the Childcare Plans and Reviews. These tasks include planning service development through a range of funding steams, raising quality within Early Years settings including providing a training programme for Early Years staff, management of the Sure Start Programme and the development of a Family Support Strategy.

Click here for more information about the Partnership Sub Groups.

The Partnership is supported not only by its member organisations, but also by a set of local fora known as District Childcare Partnerships (DCP). There are four District Childcare Partnerships within the eastern area covering north and west Belfast, south and east Belfast, the north Down and Ards area and the Down and Lisburn area.

Click here for more information about the composition of the District Partnerships and the work they do.

For contact details of other Childcare Partnerships in Northern Ireland click here or for links to their web sites click here.