Childminder Information

What is a childminder?

A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in the childminder’s own home. Children are welcomed as individuals, they are offered affection and respect and their developmental and recreational needs are met. Childminders offer a flexible service, tailored to each child, thereby helping parents and guardians to balance their work and family commitments. A Childminder negotiates and agrees her/his terms with parents. The child’s welfare must be the prime consideration of the Childminder. Childminders have sole responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of each child entrusted to their care.

Are you thinking of becoming a childminder? If so please see resources below

A Guide to becoming a Childminder

Information for Childminders on the National Action Plan for Childminding

Guidelines on Planning a Childminding Business in your own home

Childminding Sample Policies and Procedures

Childminding Sample Record Keeping Forms

Information for Parents on the National Childminding Action Plan

Guidance for Childminders: https://www.laoischildcare.ie/2022/02/16/guidance-for-childminders-understanding-childrens-behaviour/

Training for Childminders

Please find links below to contacts and resources for training.

Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme: https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/quality-and-regulatory-framework-elearning-programme/
Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
Continuing professional development resources for practitioners: https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/continuing-professional-development
Training Courses from Childminding Ireland https://www.childminding.ie/cmi-training-courses/
Child in Mind Training Programme https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/child-mind-training-programme-now-live/

Grants and funding available

The 2021 Childminding Development Grant (CMDG) is now closed and will reopen again in 2022.

Please contact Laois CCC 057 86 61029 to find out more about the Childminding Development Grant (CMDG) and Learner Fund bursary annual grant

Latest news, information and upcoming events for Childminders

National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., launched the National Action Plan for Childminding on 15th April 2021. The National Action Plan aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding, and sets out a phased approach to bringing childminders within the scope of State-funded supports and regulation over the period 2021-2028.

The National Action Plan for Childminding is a pathway to be developed over the next 8 years that sets out steps towards regulation, support and subsidies, for all paid, non-relative childminders. The Action Plan will involve change and significant benefits for childminders, children and the families using their services.

The aim of the Action Plan is to provide greater recognition for childminding and to support childminders in their work of providing high quality early learning and care and school age childcare, thus supporting child development and learning outcomes and helping families.

To download a copy of the Action plan please click here: National Action Plan for Childminding

View the Pathway for the Action plan here: Pathway of the Action Plan

For More information on the National Action Plan for Childminding please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/df207-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/

Laois County Childcare – Free Resource Pack for Childminders

Laois County Childcare Committee have a limited number of Free Resource Packs for Childminders in County Laois to promote positive play-based early learning.

In order to avail of this FREE resource pack, Childminders must meet the criteria stated below: