A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in the childminder’s own home.
Children are offered affection and positive relationships within a safe and healthy environment where 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. The child’s welfare must be the prime consideration of the Childminder. Childminders have sole responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of each child entrusted to their care.
If you enjoy working with children, why not consider becoming a Childminder?
Childminding can offer you an opportunity to:
The First 5 website provides childminders with
specific childminding resources, it also has other Practice Support sections.
First 5 website → Practitioners → Guidance → Childminding section.
It’s important all childminders routinely view the website as it is updated regularly with government advice and resources. e.g. Tip sheets, posters, etc. Childminding section.
From 1st February 2025 Tusla will commence providing the Garda Vetting Application Service for anyone who is a Registered Provider of an early years service (under Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended) or anyone who is planning to submit an application to become a Registered Provider.
Registered Providers include:
We do not provide a Garda Vetting Application Service for anyone who is not registered or not intending to register as an early years registered provider.
Any vetting required for the staff members of early years services must be obtained from Early Childhood Ireland or, in the case of students on placement, the relevant third level educational institution.
People who cannot obtain Garda vetting though Tusla include;
Further information on the changes as to which organisations will provide vetting for the childcare sector can be found on the government website here Garda Vetting for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) sector
It is important to note that applications for Garda Vetting by Tusla are managed by a different department separately from the registration application processes.
Before you submit a registration application you must make sure that you obtain Garda Vetting and when you apply for registration renewal you must make sure you have valid vetting.
In order to apply for Garda Vetting for the purpose of registration you will need to access the Tusla Garda Vetting portal. If you have a Portal account linked with a Childminding application, your profile username and password will work for Garda Vetting. If you have any other type of Portal account, you will need to create a new profile for the purposes of applying for Garda Vetting.
We have developed a guidance document and an infographic to support Registered Providers and Childminders through the process of applying for Garda Vetting.
For more information – Garda Vetting ApplicationsTusla – Child and Family Agency
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.
More information on the National Action Plan for Childminding
DIGITAL OFFICE CENTRE, BALHEARY INDUSTRIAL PARK,
BALHEARY ROAD, SWORDS, CO. DUBLIN, K67 E5A0
Phone: 01 4851727 Email: info@fingalcountychildcare.ie
