As the childcare nightmare continues to torment parents, communities across the country are looking at ways of addressing the need for affordable, quality provision themselves. Last Friday, The Little People's Palace was officially opened at Fatima Mansions in Dublin. One of 25 pilot day-care projects funded through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform's equal opportunities childcare programme, the day-care centre evolved out of a creche set up three years ago by five women living in Fatima Mansions.
Mary Byrne, Sandra Kenny, Theresa O'Connor, Breda Henderson and Anita Murray now work in the new centre, which is managed by Carol Cullen. "Last year the Corporation gave us one of the flats, which was basically a burnt-out shell," she says. "They funded the majority of the renovations, and we now have a centre designed by an architect in accordance with the childcare regulations which is absolutely beautiful. "An awful lot of thought has gone into every detail of the design from child-height shatter-proof mirrors in the bathroom to special slip-resistant floor covering, to the choice of colour on the walls. Even if you come in when there are no children here, the atmosphere is lovely."
The centre now caters for 19 children aged two to four years. "We have a holisitic approach to working with the children, arising out of an ethos which is based on the value of play," says Carol Cullen. "We look at the development of each child in physical, intellectual, emotional and social terms. Our primary focus is on fostering self-esteem, so we approach the structure of the day in a way which gives each child the opportunity to express preferences. "We would do this in all sorts of ways, from letting them choose what they want to play with - and materials and toys are on shelves which are at their level - to talking to them at meal time, asking them would they like something to eat, rather than just plopping a plate of food in front of them. It is all about chatting with each individual child and meeting his or her needs." The day-care centre is seen as a home from home where parents play an active role through daily consultation with the staff. "Nobody knows the child as well as the parents," says Carol. "We keep a daily diary for each child, which the parents sign every day.
"We chat to the parents every day about how their child got on, and listen to anything they want to tell us about. We also have meetings every two months with parents where we would discuss how they feel their child is getting on, and twice a year we would focus on developmental issues from toilet training to encouraging speech. "We are starting a series of talks for parents on childhood issues, and we're hoping to set up a parents group soon." The centre is considered beneficial to the whole community. It provides a source of training and employment in childcare for local people, a facility for parents who want to train or work but can't afford private day-care, and an enriching environment for the children. The Canal Partnership is involved in funding and managing the centre. Marja Amqvist is the education officer with the partnership.
"It is a community service for the children and their parents," says Marja. "At the moment we are limited by funding constraints, so we can only cater for two to four year olds. There are a number of after school projects in the area, but we would like to expand and provide care for the under-twos. "The centre is funded as part of a two-year pilot project, and we don't know what will happen when the pilot is evaluated but a service like Fatima won't survive unless there is ongoing funding. There is all sorts of wonderful work going on, but you have to have a national childcare policy, otherwise all the work is wasted".
ALL 25 centres involved in the initiative liaise on a regular basis. "We all meet up during the year. It's great to get suggestions and new ideas for things to do with the children," says Carol. When it comes to the actual space at The Little People's Palace, the parents, children and staff are over the moon, she adds.
"We've a book corner with a child-size three piece suite, a home corner with wooden units and child-size glass bowls and jugs - no, no breakages yet - a child-size hammer and nail set, bunk beds for the dolls, a language shelf, a construction shelf and an arts and crafts shelf. "Everything is within the reach of the children. We've a pre-school room where we focus on practical skills like opening, pouring and cutting, and a creative play room, or what is better known as `the messy room' where we have sand and water play. "We've a separate kitchen, and a staff room, and it's just a wonderful place to work."
