Voluntary Notification
Voluntary Notification benefits Childminders by opening up access to a range of supports including information, networking and training available through your Childminding Advisory Officer, which will help Childminders to improve the quality of their services.

It also benefits Childminders who wish to:

• operate to high standards;
• have their work valued and their contribution to the childcare sector recognised;
• obtain guidance on the development of policies and standards in childcare;
• participate in training, networking and other opportunities;
• attend conferences, seminars and other events for Childminders organised by the CCCs;
• avail of financial supports such as the Childminder Capital Grant Scheme and the E15, 000 Childminder Tax Exemption
• remove the isolation often experienced by Childminders;
• contact parents who are seeking family-based childcare places;
• have their names included on a public list of Childminders which is made available to parents (optional).

How to voluntarily notify your childminding service
The Childminder should contact the local CMAO requesting the National Childminders Guidelines.

(i) The Childminder should first of all read carefully and thoroughly these Guidelines which include the nationally recognised core requirements and good practice recommendations for Childminders.

(ii) The CMAO will then contact the Childminder, to arrange in advance, a date and time to visit the Childminder, to review the Self-Evaluation and to ensure that all the criteria are met.

(iii) The CMAO will contact the childminder after 2 weeks or an agreed period of time, to see if everything is in order.

(vi) The CMAO will be available throughout the Self-Evaluation to help, advise and guide the Childminder through the process and resolve any problems which may arise. When everything is in order, the CMAO will sign off on the Voluntary Notification Form, following which, the Childminder will be sent a confirmation that she/he has voluntarily notified.

Core Requirements for Childminders
There are four nationally recognised core areas where certain requirements should be met by Voluntary Notified Childminders:
(i) Suitability of the person
The Childminder must be a person aged 18 or over who is genuinely interested in caring for children and is of a suitable character to do so.
(ii) Wellbeing of the Child
The Childminder must have a commitment to providing quality childcare which ensures that the wellbeing and development of the child is paramount.
(iii) Physical Environment
The Childminder’s home should provide a secure and happy environment in which the health, safety and welfare of the child is assured and in which the developmental needs of the child are met.
(iv) Health & Safety
The Childminder must provide evidence that adequate health and safety procedures are in place.