Guidelines to help ‘latchkey school kids’

NEW guidelines to help fight the ‘latchkey school kid’ phenomenon were launched yesterday.

A School Age Childcare code will act as a guide for people who care for children during the hours after school and the time parents return home from work.

The Code of Practice was launched by Minister for Children Brian Lenihan at a School Age Childcare Conference organised by Limerick City Childcare Committee who pioneered childcare development in association with committees in County Limerick and North Tipperary.

Mr Lenihan paid tribute to the Limerick City Childcare Committee on being at the forefront in adopting a “partnership approach” to supporting the development of school age childcare.

He said: “I am very impressed with the leading role taken by this committee in developing a number of innovative responses, that offer support and guidance to those involved in school age childcare.

“Most importantly the Code of Practice contains Guidelines for Parents on what to look for in identifying a quality school age childcare service for their children,” said Mr Lenihan. “This work is a prime example of real co-operation and collaboration with the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations.”

Mary Moloney, coordinator of Limerick City Childcare Committee, said: “The development of School Age Childcare services is in its infancy.

“In recognition of this, we in Limerick City Childcare Committee are anxious to influence the development of quality services from the outset.”

Limerick City Childcare Committee in partnership with Limerick Senior College has written an accredited childcare training module.

This module will be available to evening students in September 2006.