the Childminding Association
Membership application form
Valid for any applications made between
1 APRIL 2014 – 31 MARCH 2015
“Working to promote quality home based childcare and learning
for the benefit of children, families and communities”
WHO ARE WE?
ABOUT NICMA – the Childminding Association
NICMA - the Childminding Association is a regional charity and membership organisation which works to promote quality
child care within home based settings. NICMA understands childminding – it was formed by a group of childminders in
1984 who recognised the need for a support network for childminders, parents and children involved in homebased
daycare. The Association has grown to a current membership of over 2,500 registered childminders.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
INFORMATION:

MEMBERSHIP PACK: Every NICMA member receives a pack of information to help with the business side of
childminding – including contract forms and guidance, child record forms - to enable childminders to run a
professional service.

HELPLINE: NICMA’s telephone Information Helpline 028 9181 1015 is staffed Monday – Thursday (9.00am –
4.00pm), Friday (9.00am – 1.00pm) to answer queries from members and information is available on our website
24/7.

‘CHILDMINDING MATTERS’: NICMA’s magazine provides up to date information on childminding issues, training
and new developments within the organisation.

PUBLICATIONS: A range of leaflets, publications and posters to help childminders run their business effectively.
SUPPORT:

CHILDMINDING GROUPS: To provide Childminders with a support network within their own community. Groups
can offer training, toys, equipment and book libraries, social events, outings for childminders and children,
emergency sickness cover.

CHILDMINDING VACANCY SERVICE: Our computerised database holds up to date details of your vacancy
situation. With this information we can bring you new business by putting parents in touch with you.

ON LINE VACANCY SERVICE: To give Childminders the opportunity to advertise their places on NICMA’s web
site. This is self-managed by the Childminder.

AGM / CONFERENCE: NICMA’s Annual Conference provides members with the opportunity to network with
childminders all over Northern Ireland.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NICMA – the Childminding Association, 16 – 18 Mill Street, NEWTOWNARDS, BT23 4LU
Tel: 028 9181 1015
Fax: 028 9182 0921
Email: [email protected]
www.nicma.org
Please retain this page for your records

CHILDMINDING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: NICMA has Childminding Development Officers available in all
areas of Northern Ireland to provide you with support.
INSURANCE COVER:

Public Liability:

Each Childminder is covered for up to £5 million for the accidental injury / death of any child in their care.

Damage to the property of third parties.

NICMA Support Group Toy Libraries – insurance free of charge

Please note – household contents are not covered.

Social Services – De-registration Insurance: Legal expenses up to a limit of £50,000 in respect of anything
done or not done by you or members of your family resulting in the Social Services Trust removing or suspending
your registration.
Legal expenses: Cover of approx £50,000 for defence of any criminal prosecution or civil prosecution arising from
normal childminding duties and responsibilities. Pre-prosecution defence – access to free legal representation at
any investigation that may result in a prosecution.
Free legal advice: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, NICMA members may have access to Legal Advice Line
offering free advice on any legal problems.
Domestic Assistance: Provision of a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone helpline for NICMA members to
access emergency assistance, eg. plumbers, glaziers etc. – actual cost of repair, callouts etc. to be met by
individual.
Optional – Employers Liability Insurance: If you employ an assistant, it is a legal requirement to hold
Employers Liability Insurance cover. Contact NICMA Office for further details




SURESTART CHILDMINDING NETWORKS:

Dedicated groups of Childminders attached to SureStart projects.
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:

Range of training courses and qualifications to assist you to meet Minimum Standards registration requirement and
enhance your childcare practice.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COMMENCE FROM CHOSEN DATE PROVIDING ALL APPROPRIATE
DOCUMENTATION AND PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
CHECKLIST
Have you enclosed:
1. A photocopy of your MOST RECENT Registration Certificate. (We will also accept a letter from Social
Services stating that your registration process has been completed, which must be followed by your
Registration Certificate when received).
2. Payment: cheque / postal order payable to NICMA / credit/debit card details or cash (only payable in person at
NICMA Office).
3. A Completed Membership Application Form.
All information supplied on this membership application form is subject to
“The Data Protection Act 1998” and will not be used for any purpose other than that
for which it is given.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NICMA – the Childminding Association, 16 – 18 Mill Street, NEWTOWNARDS, BT23 4LU
Tel: 028 9181 1015
Fax: 028 9182 0921
Email: [email protected]
www.nicma.org
Please retain this page for your records
For office use only
DATE RECEIVED:
DEPOSIT PAID:
RECEIPT NO:
MEMBERSHIP NO:
PUBLICATIONS
ASST MEMBERSHIP NO:
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Annual Membership fee (new member)
Standard Renewal fee (existing member)
Loyalty Renewal fee (member continuously for 7 years or more)
Assistant Membership Fee (for additional member at same address)
£ 120.00
£110.00
£ 100.00
£ 55.00
IMPORTANT: Do not allow a break in your NICMA membership
If you allow your membership to lapse and rejoin us after a break, you will not be protected by NICMA insurance during the
lapsed period. If a claim is then made against you relating to an incident occurring during that period, NICMA cannot
protect you.
Please state the month in which you wish your membership to
commence:
st
Membership runs for 12 months 1 _____________________ 20____
(month)
(year)
YOUR NAME
___________________________________
ADDRESS
___________________________________
TOWN
___________________________________
POSTCODE
___________________________________
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE BT AREA FROM WHICH
YOU COULD ALSO CARE FOR CHILDREN FROM?
BT ______
TELEPHONE NUMBER ___________________________________
MOBILE TELEPHONE
NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
*NATIONALITY
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
*Please note that this information will be used for statistical purposes only
DO YOU WORK WITH AN ASSISTANT
ASSISTANT NAME
Yes

No

PAYMENT OPTIONS
Option 1
Payment in full at time of application.
Option 2
NICMA will accept four personal cheques - one
dated currently and three post-dated with one
month apart.
Example: Application made for Membership at
£110 in April 2014 accompanied by first
cheque for £47.50 (current date),
second cheque for £27.50 dated May 2014,
third cheque for £27.50 dated June 2014 and
final cheque for £27.50 dated July
2014. Total paid £130.00
Option 3
NICMA will process the first instalment by card at
the time of application and will hold the card
details securely for three further payments to be
made over the next three months.
NB:
Options 2 & 3 will include £20 fee for admin
Please send me the following
publications with my Membership Pack:



___________________________________
**Please ensure that he/she is also a NICMA Member and named on a
Registration Certificate (see reduced rate above)
OPTION 1:
OPTION 2:
OPTION 1:
Payment by credit/debit card:
OPTION 3:
Card No. _________ / ________ / ________ / ________
Payment by Cheque / postal order:
Start Date: ____ / ____
Expiry Date: ____ / ____
Cash & Attendance Register
£12.00
Accident / Incident Record Book £ 4.75
Pre-printed Policy Pack*
£10.00
*(free to download from Members Forum on
NICMA website)
£
£
£
£
Issue No. _____
£
£
£
£
£
£
Security No. _____
Under Compulsory
School Age / under 5
Enter the number of children you are registered to care for:
(refer to your registration certificate)
Enter the number of children you are currently minding:
Enter the number of vacancies you wish to fill:
(it will be assumed if vacancy boxes are left blank that you have
no vacancies to fill)
Do you wish to be included on our Childminding Vacancy
Database? (if no your name will not be given out to parents by NICMA)
Yes

No

Over Compulsory
School Age / over 5
Yes
No
Do you belong to a NICMA Childminding Support Group / Drop In / Buddy Group?
If yes, which one: ______________________________________
Do you care for a child with additional needs?
-
If no, would you be interested in offering childcare for a child with additional needs?
-
If yes, would you be interested in attending appropriate training to support you?
TRAINING WHICH YOU HAVE COMPLETED WITHIN THE LAST
12 MONTHS ONLY
Childminder Date
Assistant Date
Course Title
Completed
Completed
Safeguarding Children
Training Provider
Health & Safety in the Childminding
Setting
Paediatric First Aid (12 hours)
Paediatric First Aid (3 hours)
Getting Off to a Good Start (Business
Training)
Minimum Standards User guide
workshop
Promoting Positive Behaviour in the
Early Years
Developing an Awareness of Caring for
Children with Additional Needs
Promoting Inclusion & Diversity
Promoting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Child Development (0 – 4 years)
Quality First
Level
Level
Date
Date
Quality First Re-approval
Level 3 Diploma for Children’s Care
Learning & Development
Other Early Years Training:
DECLARATION OF VALIDITY
I declare that the enclosed registration certificate is currently valid and that I have not been issued with any
amendment. I will forward any amended certificate to NICMA should the need arise and I will notify NICMA if my
registration becomes invalid during my membership year.
Signed:__________________________ Date: ____________________ (Childminder)
Signed:__________________________ Date: ____________________ (Assistant)
NICMA reserves the right to refuse any application for membership if the information supplied is found to be
inaccurate or the terms of registration are under investigation. NICMA membership is open to all those who agree
to abide by the policies of NICMA and not to bring NICMA into disrepute.