Childcare Greater Easterhouse (CGE) supports the childcare community in the north east of Glasgow through working with a wide range of childcare providers, children’s services and other local partners. CGE support the development and sustainability of flexible and affordable childcare which meets the needs of families and also those agencies which provide employment, training and educational opportunities for parents
Choosing a childcare provider
One of the major barriers for parents seeking to access childcare is the lack of accurate and regularly updated information. The cost, location and availability of childcare places are key issues for parents.
Childcare Greater Easterhouse is able to provide parents with all the information they need. Through our established working relationship with the childcare community, built up over the last 10 years we are in a good position to answer many of the questions parents have and to help them make an informed choice.
The north east of Glasgow has a wide range of high quality childcare provision including:
Out of School Care Services - These services operate throughout the north east area during school term and holiday periods. Staff will collect the children from their schools and escort them to the Out of School Care base. Once they arrive the children are provided with a light snack and have the opportunity to relax in a warm and safe environment and enjoy a varied programme of activities. In some areas the Out of School Care service caters for children from Secondary School who have there own room within the centre
Nurseries and Day Care Services - Childcare for children under 5 is catered for by a mixture of nursery schools, family centres and other daycare providers. Nurseries provide a great opportunity for young children to play, learn and make new friends. These services are provided by Glasgow City Council and a number of established providers from the voluntary, social economy and private sector.
Childminders - Many parents are opting to use local childminders where the childcare takes place within the childminder’s home. This can offer the child a warm, homely environment where they will also have access to stimulating play opportunities and a chance to make friends with the other children who are looked after by the childminder.
Playgroups - Local playgroups offer play and education sessions for young children. Some playgroups also work in partnership with Glasgow City Council to provide free, part time pre-school education places for three and four year olds. Some parents may choose to make use of both the childminder and the playgroup to meet their childcare needs.
Sitter Services - The Sitter Service is the newest childcare provision to be made available to local parents. This innovative service delivers flexible childcare in early mornings, evenings and at weekends when no other childcare is available and can take place within the child’s own home environment and is particularly helpful for those parents who are working irregular or varying shifts.
Crèches - Throughout the north east area there are a host of formal and informal learning opportunities which can be accessed by parents. In order to enable parents to participate crèches are often made available which allows the children to have an enjoyable play session and meet other children.
A little Extra help
In 2003 Childcare Greater Easterhouse developed a new, innovative, service called Childcare Extra as part of the Scottish Executive’s Working for Families initiative. Childcare Extra is aimed at helping those parents who are having problems accessing or sustaining employment, training or education due to barriers preventing them from finding or using childcare.
Childcare Extra directly supports parents through the services of a Childcare Mentor who will work closely with them to help them identify and secure the childcare that best meets their needs. In certain cases Childcare Extra can provide parents with assistance with deposits and with a short-term childcare subsidy. Since it began over 700 parents have been supported by Childcare Extra to find a childcare service which enables them to go to college, enter employment, work additional hours or develop their careers.
Training
Childcare Greater Easterhouse plays a major role in supporting the local childcare workforce in achieving a range of qualifications and providing opportunities for continuous professional development. Our extensive Training Programme, which is accessed by full and part–time staff as well as volunteers, is developed through consultation with the North East Glasgow Childcare Forum and the childcare providers themselves.
Childcare Greater Easterhouse
Childcare Greater Easterhouse plays an important role in supporting the local childcare community and assisting them in delivering services which meet the needs of the communities they serve. We are provide the communities in the north east of Glasgow with a focal point for information, resources, training and the sharing of good practice.
We are ensuring that all local childcare services are included and have the opportunity to play their part in delivering childcare that is affordable and accessible to local families. And we are working with the key organisations, including the North East Glasgow Childcare Forum, to ensure that the provision of sustainable, high quality childcare continues to be recognised as one of the essential elements in the regeneration of the area.
The work of Childcare Greater Easterhouse is supported by the Local Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow East Regeneration Agency and Glasgow City Council’s Working for Families programme