Kilkenny County Childcare Committee is one of 30 city and county childcare committees established nationally in 2001. Their role is to coordinate the implementation of the national childcare policy and programmes at a local level on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. A key role of the County Childcare Committee (CCC) is to facilitate and support the development of quality, accessible childcare services for the overall benefit of children and their parents by taking a child-centred and partnership approach. The CCCs are often the first point of contact for parents and service providers in relation to early learning and care initiatives (e.g. funding schemes such as National Childcare Scheme (NCS ) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) schemes or capital grants, local training and continuing professional development and networking). Having a local focus and knowledge means that are well positioned to support the development and capacity of services locally which in turn cater for the needs of local parents and children.