Childminding
What is a Childminder?
A childminding service involves an individual taking care, by themself, or children under the age of 15 years, for payment, in the childminders home. A childminder is self employed and provides a paid childcare service for a minimum of 2 hours a day in their own home. If you are employed by a child’s parents and you look after the child/children in their home, you cannot register as a childminder. If you only mind children who are closely related to you, e.g. your grandchildren or nieces/nephews, you do not need to register as a childminder.
Childminding as a Profession
If you enjoy working with children, why not consider becoming a Childminder? Childminding can offer you an opportunity to:
- Earn a living by caring for other people’s children in your own home
- Become a self-employed Early Learning and Care / School Age Childcare provider
- Offer the National Childcare Scheme (NCS)
- Stay at home and care for your own children as well as caring for others
- Share in the care and development of children from birth to 15 years of age
- Avail of the Childcare Services Relief with Revenue
- Avail of information, networking and training supports from your local City / County Childcare Committee (CCC)
- Access the Childminding Development Grant and other funding opportunities
- Meet other Childminders in your area and get to know your local community
Steps to Become a Professional Childminder
- Contact the Development Officer in your local City/County Childcare Committee for support.
- Participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) such as First Aid, Children First E-Learning programme and CPD resources available on First 5
- Appoint an Emergency cover person for your childminding service.
- Organise insurance cover.
- Register your childminding service with Tusla.
- Register your new childminding business with Revenue.
- Decide on your fee policy and preferred hours of work etc.
- Request that your contact details be included in your local CCC Directory of ELC/SAC Services.
- Participate in organised childcare networks to meet other Childminders.
- Design a flyer and place in your local supermarket, library, parent & toddler group preschool / school etc.
- Place advertisement on social media platforms or in the local newspapers.
For support and information on becoming a Childminder, contact our Childminding Development Officer Rachael by email: [email protected] or phone: 087-4310471.
