South Dublin Childcare Committee

.

Childminders

How many children can I mind?

A Childminder can care for up to 3 pre-school before they are required to notify the HSE (Health Service Executive) Pre-School Officer.

Currently, there are no regulations for the care of school age children. Therefore, it is recommended for a childminder to follow the best practise guidelines in promoting quality childcare. Childcareminder can mind up to 5 school age children.

Childminders caring for up to 3 preschool children and school age children are encouraged to Voluntary notify their local City/County Childcare Committee

What is a pre-school child?

A pre-school child is a child who has not reached 6 years of age and who is not attending a primary school or any other school that provides similar service.

What happens if I choose to care for more then 3 pre-school children and forgo to notify the HSE Preschool Officer of my services?

In this case you are in breach of National Childminding Guidelines (rev. edition August 2008) and Pre-School Regulations (2006). Your childminding insurance may become invalid. Please note, that regulations are put in place to promote the best practise and assist you in providing services that emcompass health, safety and well being of all children in your case.

What is Voluntary Notification?

The Voluntary Notification is a process during which a Childminder nottifies his/her City/County Childcare Committee of the services and agrees to work within the framework of ther national Guidelines for Childminders. The childminder in return receives an advice and support from a local Childminding Advisory Officer including up to date information on trainings, funding and networking opportunities.

How to notify?

Contact your local City/County Childcare Committee who will forward you the Childminders Support Pack and get you in touch with your local Childminding Advisory Officer.

What are the benefits of Voluntary Notification?

Voluntary notification allows you to have access to financial supports, such as Childminders Tax Exemption, deduction of a variety of business expenses as well as a buildup of your social in surance record. Also, you will have up to date information on avail trainings and workshops on a range of topics, access to a local childcare and local childminders network and support organizations. Voluntary notified Childminders can promote services within childcare sector among other benefits.

How do I apply for Garda Vetting?

Garda vetting is provided by the following organizations: Barnardos Vetting Service, IPPA or NCNA. If you are not a member of NCNA or IPPA, contact Barnardos for the service.

Barnardos: T 021 4547060
IPPA: T 01 4630010
NCNA: T 014601138
vetting@barnardos.ie

What training do I need to have to be a
successful childminder?

Childminders are advised to take the following trainings: QAP (Quality Awareness Program), First Aid and Children First Child Protection training.
Any trainings and workshops can greatly improve your knowledge in child development, increase your confidence and enhance quality services to children and their families in your care.

What policies and procedures should I have in place when starting my childminding service?

It is highly recommended that you would develop a Policy and Procedure manual with the following policies in place. Please note that this is a simple list of recommended policies:

-- Partnership with parents
-- Positive Behavior Management
-- Health and Safety Policies, including Safety Statement
-- Child Protection
-- Confidentiality

What grants are available to Childminders?

Childminders may apply for two different grants:

Childminder Development Grants (CMDG) - This is a small grant of up to € 1,000 which the Childminders can apply for to the City/County Childcare Committees. If can be used to purchase toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment or to make minor changes to their home.

National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) - Notified or Voluntary Notified Childminders can apply for larger scale grants. Such applications will be subject to a maximum of €75,000. This is based on new childcare places being created. The maximum for each new childcare place created is €15,000.

Smaller scale, grants which do not require the creation of new places, are also available to Childminders. These grants are available to assist childminders with the cost of refurbishment and repairs. This grant does not exceed €5,000

What about Planning Permission?

Currently Childminders are exempt from the need to obtain planning permission for thier childminding service from their local council.

What policies and procedures should I have in place?

As a Childminder it is recommended that you develop certain policies and procedures for example:

Confidentiality
Health and Safety Policies including a Safety Statement
Child Protection
Fire Safety Policy
Positive Discipline Policy
Partnership with Parents
Equal Opportunities

What record should I keep?

It is recommended that you keep particular records regarding the children in your care for example:

Attendance Record
Childs Information Record (including illness's etc)
Daily Routine
Menu Plans
Medicine Administration Form
Accidents and incidents Records
Income for the purpose of the Childminders Tax Exemption

Support and Information is available from your local City/County Childcare Committee on developing policies and procedures and record keeping.

Where can I obtain Childminding Insurance?

Home: Specific Childminding Insurance as available, The City/County Childcare Committees have details of various providers. Some home insurance companies will also amend existing policies to cover the care of children within your home. As with all insurance policies, familiarise yourself with the policy to be satisfied with the policy provides the cover that you want.

Car: If taking children in your car, it is important childminders contact their car insurance company to comfirm that they have adequate insurance cover.

Must I pay tax?

All income should be declared to the Revenue Commissoners Office. Whether you pay tax or not is dependent on your earnings. There is a Childminders Tax Exemption available.

As a Childminder how do I find children to mind?

All notified/voluntary Childminders have the option of being included on the City/County Childcare Committee list which is either:

Made available to parents seeking childminders
The Childminding Advisory Officer in the County Childcare Committees will contact those on the list informing them of parents request for a childminder

Advertise in your local area. Word of mouth is usually a very successful way of informing parents in your locality.

Do I need to have childminding insurance?

It is highly advisable that you obtain childminding insurance on your home and your car.

-- Home insurance - many insurance agencies will amend your existing home owners policy and include the care of children in your home. If you currently have home insurance, it is advisable that you consult your insurance provider.

-- Childminding Ireland offers a separate in insurance scheme which covers up to 5 children including childminders own children up to 14 years of age. You must become a member of Childminding Ireland to avail of this policy.

-- Car - if you are transporting children in your own car, it is highly advisable to have an adequate insurance coverage as well.

For more information on Polices and Procedures and/or record keeping contact your local Childminding advisory officer or local City/County Childcare Committee.

>>Back to top

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.