Tusla childminding registration opens 30 September 2024

Tusla childminding registration opens 30 September 2024

Tusla – Child and Family Agency welcomes the Government’s commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024, which introduced a range of reforms within early learning and childcare, including childminding-specific regulations.

On Monday 30 September Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate will begin accepting applications for the registration of childminding services. Childminding regulations will only apply to self-employed childminders providing a service caring for children in the childminder’s own home.

Childminders provide an essential service and play a pivotal role in a child’s early development and learning. The regulations have been developed in close cooperation with childminders, ensuring they are proportionate and mindful of the home setting.

Childminders can apply for registration through a dedicated portal, accessed at www.tusla.ie.  Tusla will provide a supportive compliance approach by working with childminders to help them achieve registration.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D. said “The opening of Tusla registration for childminders marks a hugely significant moment for early learning and childcare in Ireland. It will be the first time that childminders can register with Tusla under regulations specific to the home and family settings in which they work.

“The new regulations, drafted in close consultation with childminders, and opening of Tusla registration, represent a new departure in the State’s recognition of childminding. The Regulations provide important safeguards for children and quality assurance for parents, while also paving the way for parents using childminders to access the National Childcare Scheme.”

Kate Duggan, CEO Tusla said “The new Childminding Regulations highlight the essential service childminders provide for parents and families across the country, while also supporting child safeguarding. The childminding registration process has been developed specifically for childminders, taking into consideration the home setting.

“This might be the first time childminders are engaging with Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate and I would like to provide reassurances that Tusla will support and guide childminders through this new process. Registration opens on Monday 30 September and I encourage all childminders to visit tusla.ie to find out more information.”

Guidance documents and frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers are available on the Tusla website to assist with the new process. You can also contact our Childminding advice line, either via email at [email protected] or call (061) 440600 (option 9).

Support and training are also available to childminders from their local City and County Childcare Committees.

Tusla through its Early Years Inspectorate is the statutory regulator of early years services in Ireland and is responsible for promoting and monitoring the safety and quality of children’s care in early years services in accordance with the Government’s regulations. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 defines childminding services as a new category of early years service, and so Tusla is now also responsible for implementing registration and regulation for childminders.

Parents using registered childminders will be able to access National Childcare Scheme subsidies. It is important to note that the process for childminders to register requires time to complete so access to the National Childcare Scheme will not be immediate.

Tusla is committed to ensuring the best care and safety possible for children attending early years services in Ireland.