COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: N1025861
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 102156
Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
31 March 2024
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2024
Page
Trustees, annual report (incorporating the directo¢s report)
Independent auditoffs report to the members
statement of fTnancial activities (including income and
expenditure account)
Statement of tinancial position
Statement of cash flows
11
17
18
19
Notes to the financial statements
20

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Llmited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 March 2024
The Iruslees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company taw. present their report and the
financial statements of Ihe charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Referenco and admlnlstratlV8 details
Registered charity name
Northern Ireland Child Mindlng A5sociabon
Charity règistration number
Company reglslration number N1025861
Prlncipal office and reglstered NICMA
offlce
Ellzabeth House
116-118 Holywood Road
Belfast
BT4 1NY
102156
The trustees
N Shear8r (Treasurer)
S Gray
M Kinghan (Chairperson)
L Craig
A Dalzell
S Gallagher
B Mcconnell
A Sizer
R Bradley
R Hamilton
S Grey
(Resigned 9 November 2023)
(Appointed 22 November 2023)
Audltor
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
8T2 8DN
Bankers
Danske Bank
35 High Street
Newtownards
BT23 7HS
Sollcltors
Worthingtons
2 Court Street
Newtownards
BT23 7NX

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eontlnu
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structurei governance and management
Governing Document
Northem Irèland Childminding Association is a company limited by guarantee governed by Its updated
Memorandum and Articles of Associatlon dated 21 May 2009. Northern Ireland Chlldminding
Association 15 a registered charity wilh the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland
Childminding Association 15 a membership organisation with currenfly 1,427 members each of whom
agrees to contrlbute £1 In the event of the charity winding up.
Appolntment oftrustees
The Chairperson and the Trustees recruit and select new Trustees as needed. New Trustees are
recrulted on Ihe relevance of their professional skills. and their potential to be able to make a helpful
contribution lo the govemance of the charity. As part of tha recruitmenl process, they are made aware
of a Trustees, legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and
Articles of Association. the committee and decisioTrmaking txocesses. the business plan and recent
financial performance of the charity.
Once the potential new Trustee has agreed to be considered for appointment to the role, the Trustees
meel to review and to vote on the candidale's sullabillty for appointment. If there is unanlmous
agreement, thelr names are then proposed for appointment.
Trustee Induction and training
New Trustees undergo Induction lo brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company
law. the content of the Memorandum and Artides of Associalion. the committee and deci5ion-making
process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. An Induction Manual is
provided for Trustees.
Arrangements forsethng pay and rpmuneration of key managementpersonnel
The charlvs dir8Ctor5 who are the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Senior Management Team (SMT)
comprise the key management personnel of the charity. The SMT are responsibl8 for direcllng,
controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis. All directors (BOT) give of their
time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Detalls of directors, expenses and
related party transactions are disclosed in nole 26 lo the accounts.
The pay of the senior staff is revlewed annually and nomially Increased In accordance with average
earnings. In view of the nature of the charily. the directors benchmark against pay levels in other
similar size charilies run on a voluntary basis. The remuneration bench-mark is the mid-point of the
range paid for similar roles adjusted for a weighting of up to 30% for any additional responsibilities. If
recruitment has proven difficult in the recent past a market addition is also paid with the pay maximum
no greater than the hlghest benchmarked salary for a comparable role.
Organisatlon structure and how charfty makes decisions
The board of trustees, which can have up to 12 members. admlnisters the chaiily and meets quarterfy.
A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of
the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the CEO has delegated authority. within temis of
delegation approved by the trustees. for operational malters includlng finance, employment and dirèct
charitable activities.

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Lirnited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) feontlnyeil)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Risk management
The trusteès hav8 a risk management strategy which comprlses:
An annual review of the principal risks and uncertainfiies that Ihe chaiity faces:
The establishment of policies. systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified In the
annual review,. and
The implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the
charity should those risks materiallse.
Potential Risk Steps to miligate risk
The charity lacks direction. strategy and forward planning
Create a stralegic plan which sets out the key aims, objectives and pollcies
Create financial plans and bud*s
Use job plans and targets
Monitor finances and operational performance
Gel feedback from beneficiaries and funders
Trustee body lacks relevant skills or commitment
Revi8w and agree5 skills required
Draw up competence framework and job des¢rtptions
Implement trustee training and induclion
Review and agree recruitment pffKesses
Trustee body dominated by one or Iwo individual. or by connected indNiduals
Consider the structure of the trustee body and its independence
Agree mechanlsms to manage potential conflicts of interest
Review and agr99 recruilment and appoinbnent process in line vAth governing document
Agree procedural framework for meetings and recording decisions
Conflicls of Interest
Agree protocol for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
Put in place procedures for stsnding down on certain decisions
Review recruilment and selection processes
Ineffective organisational structure
Use organlsation chart to create a clear understanding of roles and duties
Delegation and monitoring should be consistent with good practice and constilulional or legal
requirements
Revi8w structure and the need for constitutlonal chang8
Create financial systems to identlfy restrict8d funds and their application
Loss of key staff
Succession planning
Document systems. plans and projects
Implement tralning programmes
Agree notice period and handovers
Review and agree recruitment processes
Reporting to truslees {accuracy, timeliness and relevance)
Put in place proper strategic planning. objective setting and budgeting processes
Timely and accurate project reporiing

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Llmited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directovs Report) fGontlnu•rl)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Timely and accurate financial reporting
Access and review projects and authorisation procedures
Have regular contact be￿een trustees and senior slaff and managers
Objectlves and actlvltles
The purposes of the charity ar8:
(A) To promote In Northem Ireland (the area of benefit). the provision of facilities for the daily care,
recreation and education of children under school age and the care and recreation of children of
school age outside school hours.
(B) To advance within the area of benefil the education and training of childminders and other persons
and organisations providing day care facilities for children both of school age and under school aga
and to conduct research into all aspects of Ihe care, recreation and education of such ¢hildren, and
publish th8 useful results of such research.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activitles, the truslees have considered the
Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The pandemic was also taken into consideration on
how we dellvered our Se￿ice5, many of which went online and staff working from home.
The slrategies employed to achieve the charity's aims and objeclives are to:
STRA TEGIC AIMS
I. CHILDREN & CHILDCARE
l. To promole the provision of high-quality childcare and e(Jucation within regi5lered, home-based
settings for children aged 0 - 14 years.
11. To encourage legal Childmlnding.
111. To work in effethive partnerships with relevant extemal bodies in order to influence end develop
policy.
IV. To ensure that home-based childcare is recognised and valued a5 beneficial to children. famllies,
communities and government.
2. TRAINING & QUAUTY
l. To provide a programme of trdlning and quality initiatives to support and enhance the quallty of
home-based childcare.

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limlted by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrector's Report) (contlftue(lJ
Year ended 31 March 2024
11. To deliver a high-quality training service appropriate to thè frfelong learning needs and a5piration5 of
registered Childminders in Northern Ireland.
111. To maintain a highly trained. motivated workforce appropriate to the needs of th8 Childmlnding
sector.
IV. To provide a high-quallty learnlng environment to meet the needs of all Childmlnders.
V. To provide 5UPPOrt and guidanc8 to ensure all Childminders meet minimum standard requirements.
3. SUPPORT SERVIGES
l. To provide a support network to registered ChildmindeTS and approved Home Childcarers.
11. To provide a Childminding Information & Advice service to Childminders. Approved Home
Childcarers. parents and those involvgd in ear￿ years.
111. To represent the views of the Childminding sector in order to inform Ihe dgvelopm8nt of future
childcare policy.
4. GENERAL
l. To have in place a financial strategy which will provide sufficient resources to allow NICMA to
achieve its aims.
11. To recrult, support and develop slaff and volunteers to ensure a motivated. efficient team. runnlng
to its full potential, which will achieve the organisations aims and objectives.

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Llmlted by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (contlnuod)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance
CHILDREN & CHILDCARE
AIMS ACTIVITIESIOUTCOMES
The provislon of Childminding Ne￿OrkS attached to 2 Surestart initiatives
2 Childmlnding Networks managed by Surestart operating according to local need.
Support the recruitment of new chlldminding provlsion In areas of identified need
Development work In communities lo promote reglstered Childminding as a profession; events
held to provide information on Childminding as a care8r and promote childminding to parents
especially in areas of TSN.
Delivery of Pre-registralion Brtefing Sessions across Trusts. 39 sessions held with 352
prospective childmlnders invited and 258 attendlng. To create an impioved public image and profile of
childminding.
To conlinue to update promotional information and develop new webslt8.
Respond to current fundlng initiatlves
Funding applications developed and submitted.
Child minding academies delivered in Mid and East Antrim and Mid Ulster council area5 deiivering 24
newly registered childminders.
TRAINING & QUALITY
AIMS ACTIVITIESIOUTCOMES
Provide training to NICMA'S 34 Childmindlng Support groups, 49 WhatsApp groups
Training delivered to groups and Surestart Networks as required with 51 groups with 1,062
member5 8 pre-registration group with 122 members.
Pre-registration Briefing for prospective Childminders.
Delivered Pre-registration Briefing sessions across 5 Trust areas.
PRBS 39 sessions.
Number of people attended - 258.
Dellver Core Mandatory tralnlng to prospective childminders
Deliver Core Mandatory training for prospective childminders in all 5 Trust areas,
Health & Safety 15 course5.
184 learners invited and 155 attended.
Saf8guarding 15 cours8S.
159 learners invited and 148 attended.
Intro Paediatric First Aid 15 courses.
164 learners invited and 141 attended.
Deliver Refresher Core Mandatory training lo existing Childminders
Courses delivered
Health & Safely 27 courses - 279 learners.
Safeguarding 27 courses delivered- 291 leamers.
SUPPORT SERVICES
AIMS ACTIVITIESIOUTCOMES
Maintain an up to date Infomation & Advi￿ Service to all mernbers. both in Support Groups,

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Llmited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) frontlnved)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Childminding Ne￿orkS. individuals. Approved Home Childcarer's and parents•Membership Services
offered to 1.427 members Ihroughout Ihe year.
141 new members.
Support childminders and Approved Home Childcarers with the registration and Inspection process
Telephone. email and group support wtih regard to the Minimum Standards to 2,000+
chlldmindeTS.
Unregistered Childminding
Address tho issue of unregistered childminding.
Increase the % of registered childmlnders who are NICMA members
To continue to update promotional infomation to all relevant groups l indivlduals.
Number SUTveys carried out
8 Complated.
Promote Website
Ongoing updating.
Use of Social Medialcommunication
Cornmunicalion with members, nomembers and general public. Regular updatlng Ezine
produced bi-monthly.
Started delivering trainlng and Buddy groups via Zoom. A number of Whatsapp groups set up.
Deliver AGMIConference.
NICMA Childminding Week
Facilltating range of events to promote and raise awareness of Chli dminding including press
coverage.

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) fwnrfnuedj
Year ended 31 March 2024
Flnanclal review
The financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2024 demonstrates the ongolng dedication of
NICMA to advancing ils charitable objectives. supported by robust financial st8wardship.
Flnancial Perfomiance
Total income for the year was £469,215. a decrease from £509.679 in 2023. This included £248,902 in
restrlcted income, which primarily supported specific grant-funded programs such as those from the
Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board. Unreslrlcled income amounted lo
£220.313, predominant￿ driven by membership subS￿1ptiOns {£181,866) and training incom8
(£11,720). Total expenditure stood at £537.288, down sltghtly froffl £557,173 in the prior year. Of this,
£255,647 was allocated lo reStrI￿ed programs, refiecting effective use of granl funding for targeted
activitles. The charity experienc8d a net deficit of £68.073, reducing total funds carrled forward to
£48.058 (2023.. £118,131).
Princlpal Funding Sources
NICMA'S operations rely significantly on grants from public bodies such as the Health and Social Care
Board, as well as membership subscriptions. These SoUr￿S underpin the delivery of essential
servlces. including trainlng, member support. and childminding programs.
Investment powers andpollcy
The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of the charity, have k8Pt available funds in an
interest-bearing deposit account and seek to achieve a rate on deposit which matches or exceeds
inftation measured by the retail prices index.
Reserves policy
The trustees aim to maintain unreslricted reserves sufficient to cover six months of operating costs to
ensure continuity of services. At year-end. unrestricted reserves stood al £48,058, which is below the
target level due to the deficit incurred. Truslees ar& actively reviewing strategies to strengthen
reserves through enhanced fundraising and cost management.
Financlal Rlsks and Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the charitys financial position and confirm its ability to continue as a going
concern for the foreseeable future. However, they recognize the rlsks assoclated wlth reduced grant
funding and are committed to diversifying income streams. The charity has no malerial conlingent
liabilities and remains in cotnpliance with funding agreements. The trustees are confident thgt NICMA
will continue to meet its obligattons and sustain tts Critical role in supporting childminding services
across Northein Ireland.
Norma Shearer- TreaSU￿r

Northern Ireland Child Minding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) f¢ontinued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Plans forfuture periods
NICMAS future plans wll focus on the following areas:
Recrultment of new childminder8
Develop recruithient strategy, incorporating the use of social medla
Retention of members
Evaluate and enhance membership services
Provide personal support to all Members
Conslder the development of new Chlldmindlng Networks
Quality Improvement within the sector
Using the State of the Childmindlng Sector 2017 report, use evidence to develop fundlng
appllcations to offer a range ol tralning and quallty assurance
Underpinning all of Ihe above will be a need to contlnue to sour¢e funding for current inltlatives a5 well
as new projects.
Trustees. responsibillties statement
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing
the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and Unlted
Kingdom Accountlng Standards (United Kingdom Generally A¢￿pted Accountlng Practlce).
Company law requlres the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year whlch give a
true and falr vlew of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the Incoming resources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing thes6 financlal statements, the trustees are requlred to:
select suitable accounttng policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and princlples in the applicable Charities SORP;
make judgmenls and a¢¢ounting estimates that are r8asonable and prudent;
prepare the financial stataments on the going concem basls unless It is Inappropriate to presume
that the charlty wlll continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the charity'8 transactlons and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financial
posltlon of the charity and enable Ihem to ensure that the financial statements comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charlty and hence
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularltles.

Northern Ireland Child Mlnding Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report Oncorporatlng the Directorfs Report)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Auditor
Each of the person5 who Is a Irustee atlh8 date pf appFovaJ of th15 Teport ¢onfjnrts th*.
so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the chanW5 a￿1]I￿r is
unftw8re. and
they have tsken au stepsthat they oyght tr4 have trdken as a bwstee to mako IheFFwfves awar.e of
any relevant audit Infor￿￿tIOn and to es1abf￿h that the ehaffty¥ auiknr is aware of that
inforrnation.
The auditor is deemed lo have been Mppointad in act30rdance with seclion 487 of thg Companies
Small company provlsions
This report has been prepared in accordan￿ the provisions aPp￿cable to ￿MpanIeS Ènttled to
the small ￿)MpanIeS exemption.
The truslees, annual report was approved on 1.8 Decen*)er2f24 and signad on behalf of the board of
Injstees by:
hearer (r'reasurer)
Trustee
airperson)
Tnthe
10