Childminding Development Grant

Childminders Development and Reopening Grant now open for applications

The Childminders Development Grant has been announced for 2020. It will run alongside the Childminding Re-Opening Grant featured below.

A Childminder can apply for both the Childminding Re-opening Grant and the Childminder Development Grant

Childminder Development Grant 2020

The purpose of the Childminders Development Grant is to offer an incentive, in the form of a small capital grant, to Childminders to enhance and support their awareness of quality childcare. The Childminders Development Grant is designed to assist Childminders, already providing a childminding service in their own homes, to enhance safety/quality in the service through the purchase of small capital items, equipment, toys or minor adaptation costs. It may also give financial assistance to new or prospective Childminders with their initial set up costs.

All applicants must be committed to maintaining/improving the quality of their childminding service.

The maximum grant available to a Childminder, who fully meets the criteria of the scheme, is 90% of total receipted eligible childcare expenditure, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

A Childminder who is:

a) Providing an existing childminding service carried out in the Childminder’s home OR
b) Proposing a new childminding service to be carried out in the Childminder’s home

A Childminder who provides/proposes to provide childminding services (not including Childminders own children) for at least:

a) 3 children on a part time basis OR
b) 1 child on a full-time basis and 1 child on a part time basis

A Childminder who has:

a) Completed the prescribed Childminding Quality Awareness Programme (QAP)

[Note: A Childminder may be exempt from attending the QAP if they have already completed an equivalent Childminding course or relevant quality related training. [This decision will be made at the discretion of the local CCC for 2020.]

Must provide evidence of appropriate insurance (must show valid insurance period)
Must provide evidence of Tusla Children First E-Learning programme
Required to operate as a Childminder for a minimum of two years following receipt of the grant

For further guidance and to apply for the Childminders Development Grant download the Application Form below:

Childminding Reopening Grant

The Childminding Reopening Grant is also open now for applications. To access the grant application and guidance document please visit the First 5 website, documents displayed under the Childminding section: First 5 Website

Applications should be submitted to the Childminding Development Officers in each of the regions of their responsibility. Dublin City applicants, please submit your applications to: Sarah McKenna – sarah@fingalcountychildcare.ie

The Childminding Development Officer will process the applications and check for eligibility for the Childminding Reopening Grant under the following criteria:

Confirmation that you were providing a Childminding service carried out in your home on 12th March 2020;
Have provided evidence that you have completed the Children First e-learning programme;
Have provided a TRN (tax registration number);
Have provided evidence that you have the appropriate insurance in place for your Childminding business;
Confirmed your commitment to operate for a minimum of one year following receipt of the grant;
Confirmed you were not in contract to provide DCYA ELC and SAC programmes on 12th March 2020.

If you need any further supports completing either grant application form or have any other queries about the Childminder Development or Re-Opening Grant, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@dccc.ie or audra@dccc.ie

Childminding Development Grant

Childminders Development and Reopening Grant now open for applications

Childminder Development Grant 2020

Who is eligible to apply for funding?

Childminding Reopening Grant

Westmeath County Childcare Committee CLG