Northern Ireland Childminding Association
The Northern Ireland Childminding Association is a charity and membership organisation, based in Newtownards, 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.
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.
