Childminder
We are committed to providing comprehensive support for all aspects of setting up or managing a childminding business from your home. Emer Quigley, our Childminding Development Officer, is available to assist with establishing a new childminding service or to offer guidance if you are already operating from your own home.
We also invite you to join our mailing list to receive regular updates on information, training, and local network events. This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed about new developments and share experiences with fellow childminders. All events are welcoming and free of charge.
Contact Emer: Tel:051295095 Mobile: 087 9322311 Email: [email protected]
If you are a childminder or are interested in becoming a childminder, Waterford Childcare Committee provides several supports such as network and training events, setting up your service, policies and procedures as well as funding opportunities and ongoing support.
- A childminding service involves an individual taking care, by themself, of children under the age of 15 years, for payment, in the childminder’s home.
- A childminder is self-employed and provides a paid childcare service for a minimum of 2 hours a day in their own home.
- If you are employed by a child’s parents and you look after the child/children in their home, you cannot register as a childminder.
- If you only mind children who are closely related to you, e.g. your grandchildren or nieces/nephews, you do not need to register as a childminder.
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Under the new Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 all childminders must register with Tusla. See new Regulations and Explanatory Guidance below:
Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024
To register with Tusla you must have the following documents:
- Garda Vetting & Police clearance for the childminder & emergency cover person/s
- Proof of identity
- Copy of insurance certificate
- Certificates for Pre-Registration Training, First Aid training and Children First Training
- Two references
The Childminding Pre-Registration Training is a mandatory course for anyone who intends to register with Tusla for a childminding service.
To take this training course you must be:
- 18 years old or over
- Self-employed and providing a paid childcare service in your own home
- Either currently working as a childminder and intending to register with Tusla, or Intending to work as a childminder and register with Tusla.
The aim of this training is:
- Understand the new childminding regulations.
• Apply the regulations to your childminding practice.
• Understand the Tusla registration process for childminders.
• Understand the documentation required to register with Tusla.
• Access supports and resources. - For more information or to register for an upcoming date for Pre-Registration Training please contact Emer (Childminding Development Officer)
The Childminding pre-registration training is a FREE mandatory course for anyone who intends to register with Tusla for a childminding service.
A childminding service involves an individual taking care, by themselves, of children under the
age of 15 years, for payment, in the childminder’s home. A childminder is self-employed and
provides a paid childcare service for a minimum of 2 hours a day in their own home.
The aim of this training is:
- Understand the new childminding regulations.
• Apply the regulations to your childminding practice.
• Understand the Tusla registration process for childminders.
• Understand the documentation required to register with Tusla.
• Access supports and resources.
To book into the Pre-Registration please contact Emer Quigley.
Useful Links/Information:
For information on the latest childminding regulations and additional childminding supports, please visit gov.ie/childminding .
Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate has now opened the new portal for applications for childminding under the new regulations.
Tusla have continued to expand the content available on Childminding webpages https://www.tusla.ie/early-years-inspectorate/childminding-services/
As well as Frequently asked Questions, there is also Guidance documents to help you through the process.
If you can’t find the answer to your question in the FAQs you can contact the Tusla Childminding helpline, either via email – [email protected] or on (061) 440 600 (option 9)
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Childminder PRSI contributions:
Being self-employed brings the benefit of PRSI contributions which will entitle you to benefits such as maternity benefit, contributory state pension, treatment benefit scheme etc. To find out more information please follow this link to the Citizens Information service:
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/irish-social-welfare-system/social-insurance-prsi/class-S-prsi/
Childminders can avail of tax relief on income:
Childminders have access to a specific tax relief, currently €15,000 per year. This document will provide additional information on the childcare services relief.
https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/children/childcare-services/index.aspx
Childminding Development Grant: The annual Childminding Development Grant can provide funding to support childminders to purchase equipment and resources for their childminding service. The grant is available to new childminders setting up a new service and childminders who are already offering a childminding service in their home.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
In 2024, the grants Childminders in Waterford City and County received assisted them in enhancing the quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) education. The grant was also used for the purchase of IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The grant scheme is open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
For further information about the Childminding Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, visit www.gov.ie/childminding
Any childminder with any questions about applying for the grant is welcome to contact us on 051 295045.
Applications for the 2025 Childminding Development Grant opened on Tuesday, 4 February and will close on Friday, 4 April.
Funding programmes available to Tusla registered childminders:
Tusla registered childminders can avail of a learner fund bursary to meet mandatory minimum level qualifications i.e. Level 5 in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) (or equivalent).
https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/learner-fund/
National Childcare Scheme: Tusla registered childminders can avail of the National Childcare Scheme to support families with the cost of childcare.
https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/
Childminding is changing: The National Action Plan for Childminding sets out a phased approach towards regulation, supports, and subsidies, for all paid, non-relative childminders. The Action Plan will involve change with significant benefits for childminders, children and the families using your services. The plan was launched in April 2021 and is currently being developed to bring all childminders under the remit of childcare regulations specific for childminding services in the home. This will enable greater recognition for childminding and open the way for additional supports and access to government funded schemes for childminders.
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/df207-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/
Childminding Ireland:
Childminding Ireland is the National Childminding Association and a National Voluntary Childcare Organisation. Childminding Ireland provides a range of information and supports to Childminders. For more information, please follow this link:
https://www.childminding.ie/
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