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.

Public consultation on the draft childminding regulations

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028 sets out a phased approach to the regulation and registration of childminders. Central to work under the National Action Plan has been the development of new regulations that are specific to childminders and that are appropriate and proportionate for a home-based setting. The draft regulations set out proposed minimum standards for anyone who provides a childminding service.

Regulations are an official recognition from the State that demonstrates that childminders are a valued part of early learning and childcare in Ireland. Regulations set out safe-guarding measures for children. These regulations will enable all childminders to register with Tusla and offer the access to the childcare funding schemes for the families that use their services.

We understand that these regulations represent an enormous change for childminders and we are holding this public consultation so that as many childminders, parents, representative organisations and other interested individuals/bodies as possible can have their say.

 Laois County Childcare Committee will host a Focus Group for Childminders on Monday 8th April in the Portlaoise Parish Centre.  To book a place please phone 057 86 61029 or email info@laoischildcare.ie

How to participate in the consultation.

We want to hear your views and consider them before we finalise the regulations. Please read the easy read regulation summary below and complete this short online survey available in both English and Irish.

Easy Read Regulation Summary – English

 


Grants and funding available – Information on the CMDG for 2024 will be posted here later this year

Childminder Development Grant (CMDG) – 2023

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, announced the opening of the 2023 Childminding Development Grant. With a total budget of €250,000, the Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. The Grant aims to support the enhancement of quality and safety in the service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, and equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths). It is open to registered and unregistered childminders as well as those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2023. For the first time, 75% of the grant will be paid in advance, to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.

For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit http://www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.


 

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:

    1. Be currently providing a childminding service in Laois
    2. Have valid (in date) childminding insurance
    3. Have completed the Tusla Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
    4. Have completed some CPD from First Five https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/continuing-professional-development ORComplete the 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/

 

 

 


 


 

Find us on

View Laois County Childcare Committee facebook posts on this site

View posts

Search Laoischildcare

This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By using this site you agree to our Cookie Policy Ok