Louth County Childcare Committee Ltd, Child Minding Information

The Role of a Childminder
A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in a “home from home” setting. 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.

National Childminding Guidelines
The National Guidelines for Childminders, launched by the Office of the Minister for Children,( and Launched locally on September 4th 2007 – click here for more details) will assist childminders by providing guidance for good practice in the area. They contain details on:

- Nationally agreed guidelines for good childminding practice;
- Detailed information on Statutory Notification to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Voluntary Notification;
- Services provided to childminders by the City/County Childcare Committees, the Childminder Advisory Officers and Childminding Ireland;
- contact details of relevant organisations, including addresses and telephone numbers.
Download a copy of the National Guidelines for Childminders

Childminding Advisory Officer
The role of the Childminding Advisory Officer is to work with, support and advise people who are childminding from their own home. Childminders are encouraged to Voluntary Notify Louth County Childcare Committee of their service. The Childminding Advisory Officer provides childminders and potential childminders with the opportunities as listed below:

One to one Home Visits
Assistance in setting up your childminding service
Ongoing support for established services
Guidance in record-keeping, writing policies, etc.
Access to funding through the Childminders’ Development Grant
Subsidised training
Networking Opportunities for all childminders
Assistance in completing the Self-Evaluation, as part of the National Guidelines for Childminders
Information regarding the Childcare Services Relief (tax exemption for Childminders)
Advertise your service through our parents list
Receiving Louth County Childcare Committee Newsletters

Notification requirements of Part VII of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996

The Provisions of part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 apply only to Childminders caring for more than 3 pre-school children.

The Child Care (Pre-School Service) Regulations 1996 and Explanatory Guide state the following in relation to the Childminder:-
• The Law states a single-hand Childminder should look after no more than 5 children (including her own) who are under 6 years of age, and no more than 3 of these should be under 1 years of age.
• A Childminder is permitted to care for 3 pre-school children, before they are required to notify their local Health Board.

A Childminder caring for 4 or more pre-school children is required under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 to notify the Health Service Executive. An application form can be obtained from the Pre-School Services Offices at The Ramparts, Dundalk, Co Louth.