What is Childminding?

A childminder is a person who single-handedly cares for a small group of children in the childminders own home.  The hours can be either full or part time with Childminders and parents negotiating their own terms and conditions. Childminding offers:

• A home from home environment for the child.
• Flexible arrangements can suit the needs of both the parent and childminder.
• The Childminder has the opportunity to work from home.
• The child can gain the benefits of a mixed group setting in the childminders home.
• Good quality childcare offered by Childminders is considered to be one of the best options to avail of when choosing childcare.

Childminding: A Parents Guide is available by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Legislation behind Childminding

Certain categories of childminders come under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) 2006 Regulations and as such are legally obliged to notify the HSE that they are providing a childminding service – they must Statutorily Notify.
Other categories of childminders are exempt from notifying – it is recommended that these childminders Voluntary Notify
 
For further information on the categories of childminders and the numbers they are permitted to care for, please download:

• Information Leaflet on Notification for Childminders
• National Guidelines for Childminders
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006

Voluntary Notification – What is it?

Childminders are recognised for their important role in Childcare in Ireland and they are the preferred choice for many parents.  The steps many childminders take to develop their childcare service as one promoting quality childcare are commendable.
Voluntary Notification is acknowledged as being one of these steps.

Voluntary Notification is a system or register enabling those childminders who are not obliged to notify the HSE of their childminding service, to notify their local County Childcare Committee.  It is implemented in accordance with the National Guidelines For Childminders

The benefits of Voluntary Notification are:

If the childminder wishes, they can have their contact details given to parents looking for childcare
It is one of the criteria required to avail of the Childminders Development Grant
It is one of the criteria required to avail of the Childminders Tax Exemption
Voluntary Notification allows childminders to show prospective clients that they are offering a formal, professional service for the families they care for, and that they strive to provide a quality childcare service
 

National Guidelines for Childminders

The National Guidelines for childminders outlines the legislation in relation to childminders and details a system whereby those childminders who are not required to notify the HSE of their service (those who care for less than 3 pre-school children) can now voluntary notify their service to the County Childcare Committee.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (01) 2368030 for further information on this system. Tracey is available to support you with any childminding queries or issues that you may have.