The Early Years Service looks after the registration, inspection and support of childcare services for children under 12 in the Northern Trust area.

This includes:

• Childminders
• Playgroups
• Day nurseries
• Crèches
• Out of school clubs

The service works with families, childcare providers and partner organisations to make sure children are cared for in safe, supportive and stimulating environments.

What the Early Years teams do

Early Years social workers:

• Register, inspect and monitor childcare services
• Provide training and support for childcare providers
• Act as a main contact for childminders and day care settings
• Work with other organisations to improve childcare services
• Keep a register of approved childcare providers in the Northern Trust area
• Identify where more childcare services are needed and support new providers
• Offer advice to people setting up or running childcare services
• Promote equality of opportunity for all children
• Develop new projects to support children and families
• Help groups access funding and build community partnerships
• Give parents information about their childcare options

Registration and inspection

The Early Years Service makes sure all childcare providers meet required standards.

Anyone caring for children aged 12 or under must meet rules about:

• Staff
• Premises
• The care they provide

Once registered, providers are regularly inspected to make sure they continue to meet these standards and follow good practice.

Types of childcare covered

The service regulates:

• Childminders – care for children in their own home
• Day care providers – such as nurseries, playgroups, crèches, after-school clubs and summer schemes in non-home settings
• Home child carers – care for children in the child’s own home

The Trust keeps registers of all approved childminders and childcare providers.

For information about registering, contact your local Early Years team.

How to contact us

There are three Early Years teams in the Northern Trust area.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Central sector

Ballymena North Business Centre
120 Cushendall Road, Ballymena, BT43 6HB

• Telephone: 028 2563 5111
• Email: CentralEarlyYearsTeam@northerntrust.hscni.net

Central sector covers:

Ahoghill, Antrim, Ardboe, Ballymaguigan, Ballymena, Ballyronan, Broughshane, Cargan, Churchtown, Coagh, Cookstown, Crumlin, Cullybackey, Desertmartin, Galgorm, Kells and Connor, Kirkinriola, Magherafelt, Martinstown, Megargy, Moneymore, Parkgate, Pomeroy, Randalstown, Stewartstown, Templepatrick, Thormhill, and Toomebridge.

Northern sector

1st Floor, Route House, 8E Coleraine Road, Ballymoney, BT53 6BP

• Telephone: 028 2766 1340
• Email: NorthernEarlyYearsTeam@northerntrust.hscni.net

Northern sector covers:

Aghadowey, Armoy, Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Bellaghy, Bushmills, Castledawson, Clady, Cloughmills, Coleraine, Cushendall, Cushendun, Draperstown, Dunloy, Garvagh, Glenariffe, Gulladuff, Kilrea, Knockloughrim, Loughgiel, Maghera, Portrush, Portglenone, Portstewart, Swatragh, Tobermore, and Upperlands.

South East sector

Family Resource Centre, Ellis Street, Carrickfergus, BT38 8AZ

• Telephone: 028 9331 5112
• Email: SouthEasternEarlyYearsTeam@northerntrust.hscni.net

South East sector covers:

Ballycarry, Ballyclare, Ballynure, Carnlough, Carnmoney, Carrickfergus, Doagh, Gleno, Glengormley, Greenisland, Islandmagee, Jordanstown, Larne, Mallusk, Monkstown, Newtownabbey, and Whiteabbey.