Childminders

Childminder Grants now available

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs through Pobal have communicated to the County Childcare Committees its intention to make €100,000 available in the form of Childminding Development Grants to childminders in the first half of 2012 and a further €100,000 later in the year.  These two funds are to cover all applications from childminders nationwide.   

To this end, We have attached the Terms and Conditions (plus explanatory notes at back) and an Application Form for those of you who would like to proceed to apply for the Childminding Development Grant.

Please read through the Terms and Conditions very carefully before filling out the application form to ensure that you are eligible for the grant. Please note also that applications must be returned to our office on or before April 13th to meet the deadline for the first round of funding.

[Childminders Dev Grant Criteria]
[Childminders Dev Grant Application Form]

A Childminder offers single-handed, home-based, small group childcare providing the following service throughout the day. Childminders normally fall into two categories:

1 Satutory Notified Childminders through the HSE

2 Voluntary Notified Childminders
(through their local County Childcare Committee)
Voluntary Notification Form
Benfits of Voluntary Notification

3 Other
Some Childminders do not fall into either category but it is the remit of SDCCC to assist this third group on the quality standards of the care they provide.
We would encourage them to contact our Programmer Development Officer

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Notification Process

Some childminders are legally obliged to notify to the HSE that they are providing a childminding service. Others can notify to South Dublin County Childcare Committee on a voluntary basis.

Definition of a Pre-School Child
A pre school child means ‘a child who is under 6 years of age and who is not attending a national school or a school providing education similar to a national school.

Definition of a School Age Child
A child who is attending a school age service on a regular basis outside of normal school hours

Statutory Notification
A person minding more than 3 pre school children from different families is obliged to notify to the HSE.

Under the Child Care (Pre School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006:

•A Childminder should look after no more than 5 pre-school children, including his/her own pre-school children.

•No more than 2 children should be less than 15 months old. Exceptions in relation to numbers under 15 months can be made for multiple births or siblings.

•A Childminder should have a telephone and a second person must be available to cope with emergencies.

A child that has not attained the age of 6 years who is not attending a primary school or a school providing an educational programme similar to a primary school.

Voluntary Notification
Childminders who are not required to notify the Health Services Executive can voluntarily notify to South Dublin County Childcare Committee including:

•Those who care for school-age children

•Those who care for pre-school children of the same family and no other children
from any other family (other than the minders own children).

•Those who care for relatives

•Those who care for no more than 3 pre-school children of different families (other than the minders own children)

In order to achieve Voluntary Notification Childminders will be required to meet the following criterion:

• Obtain Garda Vetting - for information click here

• Provide 2 written references

• Complete a course in First Aid

• Complete a short course in Child Protection

• Hold appropriate insurance (check with your own insurer as some policies will include Childminding at no extra cost but make sure you are clear about what you are doing)

• Have clear fire safety procedures ( click here for a useful guide to Fire Safety For Your Home)

The National Guidelines for Childminders outline the Voluntary Notification procedure. Copies of these guidelines are available from South Dublin County Childcare Committee and can be downloaded from www.omc.gov.ie

To Voluntarily Notify, email Paula McDonagh in South Dublin County Childcare Committee or phone Paula on 01 457 0122 .

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Overview of General Childminder Services

• Educational activities, developmentally appropriate for the mixed ages and stages of growth of the children; daily activities and routines are varied, allowing for successes and challenges.

• Meeting each child’s nutritional needs, being aware of allergies, dietary needs, cultural practices, developmental needs, etc.

• Promoting equality and respecting diversity, by encouraging each child’s individuality and sense of identity.

• Providing a safe, clean, well-maintained and varied environment where the children feel at home.

• Providing toys and equipment that are safe, well maintained and developmentally appropriate for each child.

• Providing for each child’s sanitary, hygienic and health needs in a respectful and nurturing manner.

• Setting up and maintaining a professional and confidential record keeping system.

• Supporting parents by developing a welcoming, non-judgemental relationship in which both the parents and the Childminder are partners in the child’s daily care.

• Continuing to develop as a professional by attending on-going training, availing of support through networking etc.

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Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting is available to those who childmind in the home through Barnardos Vetting Service, which is a stand-alone service of Barnardos, based in Cork City, the contact details are: Barnardos Garda Vetting Service, The Bowling Green, White Street, Cork Telehone: 021 4547060 or email

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Childminders Tax Exemption

Childminders who have notified their local City/County Childcare Committee can avail of the Childminders Tax Exemption on their income from childminding.

Details of the Scheme

• The exemption applies only to Childminders who are registered with the tax office as self employed

• The childminding service must be provided in the Childminders own home.

• The Childminder may mind up to 3 children (under 18 years) at any one time excluding the Childminders own children. A Childminder could conceivably mind 3 children in the mornings and 3 different in the afternoon and still qualify.

• The gross annual income from childminding must not exceed the limit (currently €15,000). A childminder could conceivably have an income from another source, and still avail of the exemption for their childminding income did not exceed the limit.

• If 2 people are minding children in the same premises, the limit is split between them. Each childminder would not be entitled to €15,000.

• A Childminder wishing to avail of the Childminders Tax Exemption must notify their service to their local City/County Childcare Committee. They will receive a letter stating they have notified their service to the Committee. This letter should be kept on file by the Childminder for future reference.

• A Childminder must submit an Income Tax Return each year, even if there is no tax liability.

• When a Childminder applies for the exemption in their tax return, their names will be sent by Revenue to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. That Department will write to the Childminder requesting payment of a flat rate of PRSI for the year, currently €253. This is their contribution towards such benefits as Old Age Contributory Pension, Maternity Benefit, Bereavement Grant etc.

If a Childminder does not apply for the Childminders Tax exemption or is earning over €15,000 gross per annum, then their income is fully taxable. However, a Childminder is entitled to deduct a variety of expenses which they may have incurred in earning that income before tax is applied, i.e. toys, equipment, food etc. specifically for the children being minded.

SDCCC have been working closely with Childminders in the county to develop the quality of care being provided through training and information workshops.