National Childminding Week will run from April 9 to 16 . The theme for this year’s event is ‘Learning is fun!’ and parents, childminders, and potential childminders are invited to join Galway City & County Childcare Committee in celebrating a week of enjoyable activities.
The Fire and Ice Show will be held in Westside Library on Thursday April 14 from 11.30am to 1pm, where a ‘mad scientist’ will playfully roam among the children with bubbles and ‘smoke’, ensuring lots of fun and a little learning too. Parents of small children, childminders, and potential childminders are all welcome to this free show. This event is one of a series of enjoyable activities organised for Childminding Week 2011, for bookings call (091 ) 752039.
Parents with small children, childminders and their minded children and anyone interested in childminding are invited to attend An Scéalaí story time in Carraroe Library on Wednesday April 13 from 11am to 1pm. The show will be hosted by a charismatic Irish language storyteller who will share exciting tales for the little ones to enjoy. This is a free event, but places should be booked in advance at (091 ) 752039 to avoid disappointment.
Nationally, Childminding Week is an opportunity to showcase quality childminding and encourage childminders and the children in their care to focus on playful learning. Galway City & County Childcare Committee offers ongoing support to childminders and showcases the good, quality work done by Galway childminders on an ongoing basis on www.galwaychildcare.com The celebration of Childminding Week in Galway, culminates in the childminders’ seminar on Saturday April 16 in the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, from 9.30am to 2pm. In the morning session, Breda McCarthy, team leader, HSE Pre-School Services, will cover the topic ‘Health, Welfare, and Development of the Child in your Care’. This will be followed by the dynamic Let’s Celebrate Difference! and Creativity in the Home workshops. The Let’s Celebrate Difference! workshop will allow sharing and discussion of ideas to enable children to develop their full potential regardless of difference. The Creativity in the Home workshop will explore ways in which young children can have the opportunity to express themselves freely in a creative way. These workshop will offer childminders practical, relevant, activities, including group sharing and discussion, linking contemporary theories and ideas.
Colette Coughlan, childminder advisory officer, Galway City & County Childcare Committee, invites parents of young children, childminders and potential childminders to participate in the week’s events. “Childminding Week in Galway will be an opportunity for childminders and those who are interested in becoming childminders to network, learn, and share, while also giving parents an opportunity to explore Childminding as a childcare option,” Ms Coughlan said. “Then, on the 16th, the childminders’ seminar offers pertinent information to childminders to enhance the calibre of care offered to children in their services.”
Early booking is essential. For further information regarding the events planned for Childminding Week in Galway and the seminar on Saturday April 16, contact Galway City & County Childcare Committee at (091 ) 752039 or visit www.galwaychildcare.com
