About Us

Welcome to NCN!

The Board of National Childhood Network (NCN) are delighted to meet you through our website. We trust that you will find ideas, solutions, and guidance to support you in your work with children; if you are a parent that you will be guided and supported by the resources that we provide.

NCN was established in 1997. NCN is a quality support organisation for the childhood services sector (preschool, crèche, school age and childminding). We are a voluntary/community sector organisation based in Co. Monaghan. We receive funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and Tusla.

The Board work with a strong and committed staff team that focuses on the delivery of actions that support quality childhood services and family supports by enhancing children’s health, wellbeing, learning and development.

We work closely on a cross-border basis to promote peace and reconciliation in the border regions and Northern Ireland.

The lives of children are enriched through this work, and are key to each and every decision that we make.

NCN’s overarching mission and values encompass “the child at the heart of everything”.

Our Vision

NCN envisions an island of Ireland where every child experiences a childhood filled with joy, learning and growth within a nurturing and supportive environment.
Our commitment is to advocate for quality, equality, inclusivity and holistic development, in childhood services and with parents ensuring that every child can reach their fullest potential.

Mission

The NCN mission is to:

Support and work with government departments, organisations, educators, families and communities to build capacity across the island of Ireland to nurture the growth and development of every child so they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Purpose

NCN, as a community voluntary organisation, works together with the Childhood services sector, Parents/Guardians/Carers, Families and Communities, to support and enhance the provision of childhood services and associated social inclusion projects that support parents and increase children’s play experiences.

NCN is based in County Monaghan and operates at local, regional, national and Cross Border level.

Values

Respect/Justice for the Rights of Children

1

Respect and Compassion for Parents/Carers and Practitioners

2

Quality in Childhood settings

3

Partnership with and between Childhood services and Parents/Carers

4

Multiagency working

5

Ethical practice

6

Principles

The child and young person’s individuality, strengths, rights and needs are central in the provision of quality childhood experiences.

Children’s participation will be facilitated in decisions that affect their lives.
Play is central to health and wellbeing, development and learning.
The safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children and young people must be protected.
The best interests and wellbeing of the child and young person are the primary consideration in decision making.
The ordinary needs of the child and young person and their family and community must be met, as well as their additional needs.
Cooperation, communication, and mutual respect is essential in the provision of services.

Parent(s) and Carer(s) are the primary carer of the child and young person and must be treated as equal partners.
Active participation of all parents/carers, families and communities is encouraged and supported.
Risks to children and young person, their family and community must be managed in ways that provide safety and a good quality of life.
Communities are supported to be self-determining and making decisions that are right for them.
Childhood services and practitioners are supported to attain relevant qualifications and ongoing continuous professional development to support them in providing high quality services.
Equality, diversity and non-discrimination are championed by childhood services, childhood practitioners and children.
The use of the Irish language in childhood services is encouraged and supported.

NCN concurs with the principles underpinning the Síolta, Aistear, Healthy Ireland Frameworks and the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter. NCNs work is informed by community development principles which support a Healthy Community Framework.