title: Northern Ireland Childminding Association
text: # Northern Ireland Childminding Association
  
  The Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) is a charity and membership organisation, based in Belfast, that represents childminding in Northern Ireland. It promotes quality home-based childcare and learning for the benefit of children, families and communities in Northern Ireland and its services include a childminding information and vacancy helpline.
  
  NICMA's chair is Norma Shearer and its chief executive is Patricia Lewsley-Mooney CBE.
  
  NICMA is currently running a pilot scheme to address the shortage of childcare places in rural areas. This is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Rural Childcare Programme.
  
  