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/
- 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
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.
Laois County Childcare Committee will host a Drop-In CMDG Support Clinic on Thursday 6th July from 10am to 1pm in the Portlaoise Parish Centre
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:
- Be currently providing a childminding service in Laois
- Have valid (in date) childminding insurance
- Have completed the Tusla Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
- 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/
To download January’s Childminder Newsletter click here January Newsletter 2022
To download February’s Childminder Newsletter click here February Newsletter 2022
To download April’s Childminders Newsletter click here: Childminders April Newslettter 2022
To download June’s Childminders Newsletter click here: Childminding Newsletter June
