Certain categories of Childminders are legally obliged to register their childminding service with Tusla and are subject to Inspection: Childminders who wish to care for 4 or more preschool children or care for 7 or more school age children or a mix of both.
TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency, are the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children.
Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate is the independent statutory regulator of Early Years Services in Ireland.
Certain categories of Childminders are legally obliged to register their childminding service with Tusla, while others are not obliged to register. This is to ensure that children attending Childminding Services are safe, receive appropriate care and have a positive experience where they can develop and learn in a quality service.
If a Childminder wishes to register their service with Tusla, it is a legal requirement that they must apply at least 3 months in advance of minding 4 or more children.
In relation to Preschool age children: A Childminder should look after no more than 5 preschool children (birth – 6 years). Childminders who care for 4 or more preschool children are legally required to register their childminding service with Tusla prior to caring for the 4th minded child.
In relation to School Age Childcare: If a Childminder cares for school age children only, the Childminder can care for up to 12 children in the Childminder’s home. A Childminder can care for up to 6 school age children without having to register with Tusla, however the care of 7 or more school age children requires such Childminders to register their childminding service with Tusla.
Childminders who care for a mix of preschool and school age children: The maximum numbers of each that a Childminder can care for at the same time is as follows:
| No. of pre-school children cared for (0-6 years) | Maximum no. of school age children that can be cared for (6+ years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 |
All scenarios in the table above will require a Childminder to register their service with Tusla. See the Tusla website for further details.
All Tusla registered Childminders must have Garda Vetting, but best practice would indicate that all Childminders and their emergency backup contact should be Garda Vetted.
To apply for Garda Vetting, you will need to contact Barnardos’ Vetting Service:
Phone: 021 4547060
Email: [email protected]
If a Childminder is a member of Early Childhood Ireland they can be vetted as members through Early Childhood Ireland.
Children First relates to the recognition of child abuse and neglect, the reporting of same to Tusla – Child and Family Agency, and the best practice which organisations should adhere to, to keep children safe while availing of their services.
Non statutory obligations for all persons coming into contact with children are set out in the Children First Guidance.
The Children First Act 2015 sets out additional statutory obligations for defined categories of persons and for organisations providing relevant services to children.
Tusla has worked with the DCYA and HSE to develop a universal e-learning training programme called ‘Introduction to Children First’. The programme is based on Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children and the Children First Act 2015.
The programme takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete but it can be done in a number of sittings.
To adhere to best practice in relation to Child Protection & Welfare, all Childminders should complete the E-learning programme.
Always Children First training aims to create an awareness of Child Protection and Welfare issues in the Early Years sector.
The aim of the training is to help Childminders understand how to safeguard children and report Child Protection and Welfare concerns.
This training may be accessed through your local City/County Childcare Committee.
A prerequisite of attending this training is that Childminders have completed the Tusla Children First E-Learning Programme.
As a measure of best practice all Childminders are encouraged to participate in First Aid for children.
A registered Childminder trained in First Aid Responder (FAR) should be available for children attending the Childminding service, as per the Quality & Regulatory Framework for Childminders.
All Childminders should ensure that the childminding service is adequately insured, evidenced by a current certificate of insurance.
Childminders who are registered with Tusla are obliged to adhere to the requirements as outlined in the Quality and Regulatory Framework.
For Childminders working from their own home, Childminding Insurance is important for their own protection.
Many home insurance policies cover childminding for up to 2 children, which may be extended to mind up to 6 children.
For specific childminding insurance, there are policies, such as that offered by Childminding Ireland, which are tailored packages for minding up to 6 children.
As insured members, Childminders have access to the full range of services including free advertising space on www.childminding.ie.
The insurance is comprehensive and provides:
Childminders caring for more than 6 children should contact their broker or home insurance company to ensure they have adequate insurance cover.
All Childminders should check with their car insurer to clarify if they are covered to carry minded children. As Childminders are paid to mind these children, the car insurance company may ask Childminders to get Class 2 insurance to cover the use of their car for business purposes.
Suitable child car seats are essential if Childminders are transporting children as part of their working day, all Childminders have a duty of care to ensure the safety of children.
See the Road Safety Authority(RSA) advice in relation to child car seats.
It is important and considered best practice that all Childminders have Fire Safety policies and procedures in place.
This includes an emergency evacuation plan, relevant fire equipment and a fire drill should be carried out monthly with drills being recorded and documented as recommended in Fire Safety in Preschools (1999).
Childminders who are not obliged to register with Tusla are not required to have a childcare qualification, however all Childminders are encouraged to continue their professional development and participate in relevant childcare training as a measure of best practice.
Childminders who register with Tusla as a pre-school service are required to hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework prior to registration. This includes the care of a mix of preschool and school age children.
There is currently no qualification requirement for Childminders registered with Tusla as a School Age Childcare service. This includes the care of a mix of preschool and school age children.
The current planning exemptions apply to Early Years Services. Childminders who mind no more than 6 children using existing rooms in their home, do not require planning permission.
