The National Council of Women has welcomed the publication of national standards for child daycare facilities. Several studies were carried out prior to the 2004 public consultation, and therefore it was timely that “we move from theory to action”.

The council said the improvement grant for current centres, together with adequate timeframes for compliance, were necessary to ensure ongoing investment in these facilities.

“The set of 10 standards deal with several aspects including the holistic development of the child, as well as safety measures and professional training of staff,” the council observed in its official reaction, released yesterday.

“NCW supports the involvement of parents as one of the measures, as the link with the family is crucial in particular when dealing with children of such an early age. These standards will serve to create a new attitude and more opportunities for parents to acquire skills in an integrated approach regarding the role of parenthood and the family.”

The council said it hoped that these guidelines will act as an incentive for the private sector to increase participation in private-public partnership schemes in supporting or setting up childcare facilities.

“It is also important to monitor developments and to evaluate the social and economic impact of these measures, and to ensure that the necessary steps are taken so that the much-needed childcare centres are accessible and affordable to both women and men from all sectors of society.”