All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare elects new officers
Following the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections in May, the All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare has now been re-established for the new mandate. The Group met today (Tuesday 14 June 2022) to confirm new members and elect officers, and re-affirmed its purpose to drive policy and legislative development, promote best practice and improve practical provision in relation to the delivery of early education and childcare in Northern Ireland on a cross-party, cross-departmental and cross-sector basis.
The Annual General Meeting of the Group saw Nicola Brogan (Sinn Féin) elected as Chair and Diane Dodds (DUP), Sinead McLaughlin (SDLP) and Nick Mathison (Alliance) elected to the positions of Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
Speaking following the meeting, Nicola Brogan said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chair of the All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare at this important time as we work towards securing progress on a new Childcare Strategy, which is much needed and long overdue.
“I look forward to working constructively with the officers and members of the group, as well as Departmental officials and stakeholders from across the sector, to ensure parents, childcare providers, children and our economy, benefit from the investment and support that is so urgently need. There is much work to be done, and I am committed to ensuring that this Group will be a positive forum pressing for meaningful change and action.”
Looking ahead
The All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare will meet on a regular basis, working constructively with the Departments of Education and Health and other key stakeholders to inform and secure progress on a new Childcare Strategy. The next meeting of the Group will be scheduled for September 2022, to take place in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, with the Education Minister to be invited to provide an update.
Further information about the All Party Group, and a link to updates from previous meetings, can be found here.
Employers For Childcare provides the Secretariat for the All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare – correspondence to aoife.hamilton@employersforchildcare.org or 028 9267 8200.
