Sub-Groups

The Eastern Childcare Partnership operates as a collective within which decisions are made in consultation with key stakeholders. In order to ensure a range of perspectives are reflected in the Partnership’s work individuals and organisations are invited to participate in the range of Sub-Groups which can be time limited or standing committees.

Each group has a Terms of Reference clarifying it’s purpose, remit, reporting arrangements and action plan. The Sub-groups contribute to the delivery of the objectives agreed by the Partnership for a given period and report on progress against these at intervals. The ECP is responsible for endorsing the work of each Sub-Group.

Current Partnership Sub-Groups are;

1. Training and Quality

The purpose of the Training and Quality Sub-Group is:

• To produce an Action Plan for the Eastern Area which will ensure a competent workforce, appropriately qualified, to support positive care, learning and play experiences for children
• To promote good practice across the range of services in Early Years
• To promote the engagement of Providers in Quality Assurance Schemes
• To map training provision
• To pursue resources to support the availability of training for those working in Early Years services
• To manage the development of the Peace II Training Project
• For further information about training initiatives in the Eastern Area and current priorities, view the Training section.

2. Strategic Funding Panel

The Strategic Funding Panel, on behalf of the Eastern Childcare Partnership, has been responsible for the initial assessment, selection and endorsement of applications to the Childhood Fund (Peace and Reconciliation Programme); the Playcare Initiative (Peace and Reconciliation Programme); the New Opportunities Fund initiatives Out of School Hours Childcare and Building Quality Childcare Programmes; and resources made available by the DHSS&PS.

The Strategic Funding Panel has also progressed considerable work around the issues of sustainability and the long term funding needs of the Early Years Sector. For more information about the work of the Panel and funding for Early Years services, go to the Funding section.

3. Joint Strategic Planning Group for Early Years

The Joint Strategic Planning Group (JSPG) for Early Years is a shared Sub- Committee of the Children and Young People’s Committee (CYPC) and the Eastern Childcare Partnership. The Early Years JSPG has identified three Key Result Areas which direct the focus of it’s work. These three areas are:

• Supporting parents in work and those who wish to return to work, education or training;
• The personal, physical, social, emotional, educational and cultural development of children and young people aged 0-14 years;
• Social inclusion in respect of communities or individual children and their families.

The objectives within each of these Result Areas and associated actions create a “joined up” response to the needs of children, parents/carers and the Early Years sector. Some aspects of this group’s work inform how the Eastern Childcare Partnership establishes priorities for action. For more information about the Children and Young People’s Committee, go to the Eastern Health and Social Services Board web site. For more information about the Partnership’s Childcare Plan and Reviews, view the Publications section.

4. Finance

The Finance Sub-group is responsible for quality assuring the outputs of the Sure Start Programme including the allocation of funding. This Group also provides advice and guidance to the wider Partnership in relation to aspects of governance and the effective management of the infrastructure budget, namely, the Early Years Development Fund.

5. Disability Grant Scheme Task Group

The Disability Grant Scheme has been operating since 2001 and aims to increase the opportunities for disabled children to benefit from Early Years services. The Scheme ensures that Providers approach the needs of disabled children in an inclusive way rather than focusing on a child’s condition or disability. For more information about the Grant Scheme, go to the Inclusion and Equality section.