Childminding
If you are an existing Childminder or thinking of becoming a Childminder, there is a wealth of information available from Louth Childcare Committee (LCCC). We are always happy to help you with all aspects of becoming a Childminder and continue to support you as you develop a quality Childminding service/business. This service is free and confidential.
Louth County Childcare Committee’s role in supporting Childminders includes:
- Free support system for Childminders
- Provide information and training for Childminders
- Facilitate the establishment of local networks for Childminders
- Provide childminder list for parents
Our Childminding Development Officer (CMDO) is Órlaith Sarsfield
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 087 2472451
What is a Childminder?
A Childminder is a person who singlehandedly minds children in the Childminder’s own home. Childminders are self-employed, agree their own terms, fees and conditions with parents, and are responsible for their own tax and PRSI arrangements.
Childminders offer home-based childcare in their own homes. This care is personal, unique, adaptable, and family friendly. Childminders play an important role in supporting families: between 70% – 80% of all childcare in Ireland is carried out by paid and unpaid Childminders. They are valued, recognised, and respected by parents and childcare organisations alike.
Certain categories of Childminders come under the Child Care Act (Early Years Services) 2016 Regulations and are legally obliged to notify Tusla that they are providing a Childminding service.
The following Childminders are exempt from the Child Care Regulations 2016:
- Childminders who care for children they are related to
- Childminders who care for no more than three pre-school children of different families
National Action Plan for Childminding
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.
Proposed New Childminding Regulations
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.
Who are these regulations for?
The regulations will apply to childminders. A childminder is someone who is paid to look after other people’s children. This does not include those that only look after relative’s children. Childminders work in their own home and they work alone.
Why is the Government bringing in these regulations?
Regulating childminders is a commitment in the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028. It is also in the Government strategy for young children, First 5.
Why are regulations needed?
Regulations are good for children, families and childminders. Regulations are official recognition from the State, and demonstrate that childminders are a valued part of early learning and childcare in Ireland. The regulations will bring in child safety rules such as Garda vetting. Regulations will allow childminders to register their service with Tusla – at the moment, the law prevents most childminders from registering. By being registered, childminders will be able to offer the families that use their services access to the National Childcare Scheme, which subsidises fees for early learning and childcare. This may help childminders find families to use their services.
What is in the proposed regulations?
The regulations are organised into different sections each dealing with a different aspect of a childminding service. Each section and regulation has been summarised below. This summary is based on the current version of the regulations. The regulations may change following the public consultation, in particular those regulations that feature in the online survey, which can be found here.
Making a submission: If you want to have your voice heard in relation to these regulations, you can fill in an online survey here or you can attend a consultation focus group in your area or online.
Grants and Funding for Childminders
Currently, there are two main financial supports for childminders:
- the Childcare Services Tax Relief for childminders,
- the annual Childminding Development Grant (CMDG) for new and existing childminding services.
How can I avail of the Childcare Services Tax Relief?
To qualify for this Tax Relief, you must:
- Register with Revenue Online Service (ROS) as a sole trader.
- Provide the service in your own home
- Mind no more than three children under 18 at any one time
- Earn no more than €15,000 gross per annum. This includes all your income from childminding, but you cannot deduct any costs or expenses.
- Show that you have connected with your local County/City Childcare Committee
To claim the relief, include your childminding income in your tax return (Form 11, section G). You must claim the relief on or before your tax return due date of 31 October annually.
Childminding Development Grant (CMDG)
What is a Childminding Development Grant (CMDG)?
The CMDG is a small grant designed to assist existing and potential childminders to enhance the safety and quality of their childminding service.
What funding is available under the grant?
A grant of up to €1,000 is available to an eligible childminder. All childminders can apply for the full Childminding Development Grant every year. However, if the CMDG national budget is oversubscribed, an applicant may receive a lesser amount than applied for (see section on Oversubscription Procedure). Successful applicants are paid 75% of the grant in advance. Following submission and approval of the CMDG Expenditure Report and receipts for the full amount granted, the remaining 25% is paid to the childminder.
Who is eligible to apply for the funding?
All existing or potential childminders. Where a Childminder is subject to the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and (Early Years Services) (Registrations of School Age) Regulations 2018, they must register their service with Tusla.
What supporting information / documentation must be submitted with the application form?
- Fully completed application form co-signed by applicant and local CCC.
- Evidence of appropriate childminding insurance. (Submit a copy of the schedule of insurance, which must be in date).
- Copy of Tusla Children First E-Learning Programme certificate (Must be dated within last 3 years).
- Current Tax Clearance Certificate in applicant’s name (See FAQ section on how to access Tax Clearance Certificate)
What can the grant be used for?
The CMDG can be used to purchase items that enhance safety and quality in the childminding service. The final decision on eligible expenditure will be at the discretion of the County Childcare Committee that is administering the grant. The following list (which is not exhaustive) gives examples of the different types of costs that are eligible and ineligible for the grant. Please note that minor adaptations are ineligible expenditure for this grant.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF CMDG 2024!!!
Useful Resources & Links
| Barnardos | Click Here |
| Tusla – Quality and Regulatory Framework | Click Here |
| Aistear Síolta | Click Here |
| Children First National Guidance | Click Here |
| Children First Universal | Click Here |
Louth County Childcare
Committee Limited
Louth County Childcare
Committee Limited
Tel: 042-9336364
Email: [email protected]
