Currently, under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 a person minding more than three pre-school children from different families is obliged to register with Tusla as a childminding service.

• A ‘pre-school child’ is a child under six years of age who is not attending a national school or a school providing education similar to a national school.

A person minding more than six school age children must also register with Tusla Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. You do not have to hold a qualification in order to register as a school age childminder.

• A ‘school age child’ is a child aged 4-14 years attending any form of primary or secondary school

All childminders are recommended to have appropriate childminding insurance for their service however, Tusla Registered Childminders must ensure that the childminding service is adequately insured and hold a current certificate of insurance. Insurance may be accessed through one’s current home insurance company or Childminding Ireland. Under local planning (Business Legislation Schemes and Supports) laws you can mind no more than 6 children of any age, including your own, something reflected in Childminding Business and home insurance

Garda Vetting and childminders

Garda vetting is best practice for all childminders. Anyone who has access to children should be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau, according to the law.  It is a legal requirement for Tusla registered childminders, and it is recommended as best practice for all childminders.

Childminders should contact Barnardos Vetting Service in Cork for further information. This is a free service.

Phone: 021 454 7060 Email: vetting@barnardos.ie

It may take up to 2-3 weeks to receive the results of your vetting.

A childminder will agree rates individually with each family according to requirements, i.e. number of children to be minded, number of meals provided, transport to or from school etc.

Hourly rates are dependent on number of factors such as the number of hours that you may be engaging a childminder; the qualifications that the childminder holds and the years of experience that the childminder has. Services such as collection and drop off at school/other extra-curricular activities (such as visits/trips) and whether or not provision of food is something you require will also effect the cost of engaging a childminder.

It is important that you discuss all these items with a childminder and agree on a clear pricing structure before engaging services to avoid any confusion further down the line. Many childminders will be able to draft up a simple contract between the childminder and the parent which will clearly outline the pricing structure and what is or isn’t included in the price agreed.               

Childminders who mind children in their own home are usually self-employed and liable for their own tax/PRSI. However, if the childminder minds children in your home, she is really a nanny, and then s/he is an employee for whom you must pay all relevant tax and social insurance contributions. For more information go to:  http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/types_of_employment/full_time_employment/domestic_workers_in_ireland.html

While both a childminder and a nanny offer home based care, a childminder works in his/her own home, where a nanny works in the family home. Typically, a childminder is self-employed, whereas a nanny is considered an employee, and her employer, the family, needs to take care of taxes, PRSI etc.  For more information on Nannies, go to:  http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/types_of_employment/full_time_employment/domestic_workers_in_ireland.html

Arrange to visit potential childminders in their own homes, ideally when there are children there so you can see if the atmosphere is happy and busy. Ask to look over the house and see the areas available to the children. Have a look at the toys, books and equipment. Ask lots of questions! You should always ask for character references and follow these up.

• What experience does the childminder have? Are they insured?
• Do they have any training in first aid or childcare?
• What do they charge? What is included, for example, meals, nappies, etc.?

It is recommended that you pay your childminder for 52 weeks a year. In the case of extended breaks, for example in the case of parents who are teachers, it is usual for childminders and parents to work out an arrangement whereby a proportion of the cost is paid to retain the place. These arrangements should form part of the initial contract that is agreed between childminder and parent.