• Home
• About Us
• Childcare Services
• Childminders
• • Overview
  • Information and Networking
  • Childminder Training
  • Development Grants
  • Steps to Becoming a Childminder
  • Childminder Vacancies
• Resources
• Funding
• Contact Us

Steps to becoming a Childminder

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 Guidelines for Childminders 2008, 2)

Step 1

Look at your home environment and ask yourself the following questions;

• Do I have adequate space in my home to provide opportunities for play, indoors and out, places for children to sleep, eat, change nappies, etc?
• Are others in my family supportive of my plans and aware of the implications to everyone in the home, including noise, untidiness, wear and tear, a constant busy
  atmosphere, parents coming and going, etc?
• Are others in my family prepared to share my time, their own family home with other children?
• Will I have the time and energy at the end of a busy childminding day to devote to my own family and our household needs as well as time to prepare for the next day?
• Am I aware of the importance of finding time for myself, to provide balance in caring for minded children, my own family and myself to avoid stress, fatigue and burnout?

Often a person decides to set up a Childminding Service without realising the full impact on their home, their family and themselves. If, after considering the issues raised above, you still feel you are a suitable candidate to provide home based childcare you can act on step 2 or 3.

(Childminders Information Booklet 2008,5)

Step 2

Download and read:

• National Guidelines for childminders
• Childminder Support pack
• Send the voluntary notification form and self evaluation form to the Childminder Advisory officer. (details on Childminder page)
• You will receive an advisory phone call to arrange a home visit to discuss childminding in the home and what supports and opportunities are available to you.

OR

Step 3

Contact the Childminder Advisory Officer at 044 93 36074 and she will send you

• National Guidelines for childminders
• Childminder Support pack
• The CMAO will arrange an advisory visit to your home via telephone and will assist you in completing the voluntary notification form/self evaluation form.
• She will discuss childminding in the home and what supports and opportunities are available to you.

Benefits to you as a Childminder

• When you are voluntary notified to the HSE you can mind 3 or less children only.
• Your childminding service will be on the vacancy list for parents once you have a current childminding insurance policy.
• You can advertise your childminding service on the Childminder vacancy page on this website.
• You can apply for the start up grant to the value of €1000 (see details under Childminder Development grant)
• You can complete training courses for a minimal charge (list of training courses available from the CMAO)
• You can attend the local coffee/fun mornings etc for Childminders free or charge.
• You can avail of a €15,000 tax exemption and pay your PRSI of €253 per annum
• You can avail of a free accountant mentoring service for your first visit.
• You can contact the CMAO advice line 044 93 36074 at any time for support advice and information.

• 
• 
•