Childminders - Roscommon Childcare Committee

Welcome Childminder

Welcome to Roscommon County Childcare Committee’s Childminding section. On this page you will find useful information and resources to support you to set up and conduct your childminding business. Roscommon CCC staff team are available to support you during your childminding business journey.

If you are a childminder or are interested in becoming a childminder, Roscommon Childcare Committee provides a number of supports.

What supports do Roscommon CCC offer to Childminders:

Click here for updates on the National Action Plan for Childminding
Networking events to link in with other childminders from your locality
Support in setting up a childminding service in your own home
Support in accessing grants and funding i.e. National Childminding Development Grant, Learner Bursary Fund etc.
Information on Tax Relief and PRSI Benefits for Childminders
Access to training and information i.e. First Aid, Fire Safety, and Always Children First Training, Pre-registration Training etc.
Click here for information on current legislation and any changes in law.

Click here for Roscommon CCC- Childminding Poster

What is a Childminder:

A childminding service involves an individual taking care, by themselves, of children under the age of 15 years, for payment, in the childminder’s home.
A childminder is self-employed and provides a paid childcare service for a minimum of 2 hours a day in their own home.
If you are employed by a child’s parents and you look after the child/children in their home, you cannot register as a childminder.
If you only mind children who are closely related to you, e.g. your grandchildren or nieces/nephews, you do not need to register as a childminder.

Childminding Regulations & Tusla Registration Process

Childminding Regulations & Tusla Registration Process

On Monday 30th September 2024 Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate will begin accepting applications for the registration of childminding services. Childminding regulations will only apply to self-employed childminders providing a service caring for children in the childminder’s own home. Childminders can apply for registration through a dedicated portal, accessed at www.tusla.ie. Tusla will provide a supportive compliance approach by working with childminders to help them achieve registration.

Regulations and Explanatory Guidance below:

Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024
Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 – Explanatory Guidance
Under the new Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 all childminders must register with Tusla.To register with Tusla you must have the following documents:
Garda Vetting & Police clearance for the childminder & emergency cover person/s
Two references
Proof of identity
Copy of insurance certificate
Certificates for Pre-Registration Training, First Aid training and Children First Training

Childminding Registration Process

Click here for Early Years Inspectorate – Childminding Services

Click here for Tusla Website: I would like to register as a Childminder

Click here for Tusla Childminder Frequently asked questions: Childminding Services – FAQs

Tusla Childminding mailing list: If you would like to join Tusla’s mailing list for access to information and resources relating the regulation of Childminding please complete and submit the form below. Tusla will use the list to send you emails with information on registration and related processes. Click here to subscribe to the Childminding Information Mailing List

Click here for Tusla Childminding Resources: Resources

Childminding Preregistration Training

Childminding Preregistration Training

Minister O’Gorman published new regulations for childminding on September 19th 2024, which came into effect on 30th September 2024. This is the first time that childminders will be able to register with Tusla under new regulations that reflect the home and family setting in which childminders work and that take into account the unique features of childminding.

The Pre-Registration course will give you all the information you need to be a childminder, understand the new childminding regulations and the documents required to register with Tusla.

The Childminding pre-registration training is a mandatory course for anyone who intends to register with Tusla for a childminding service.

To take this training course you must be:

18 years old or over
Self-employed and providing a paid childcare service in your own home
Either currently working as a childminder and intending to register with Tusla, or Intending to work as a childminder and register with Tusla

If you are unsure as to whether or not you are eligible to register with Tusla, contact your local Childminding Development Officer for information and support.

The aim of the training programme is to help you:

Understand the new childminding regulations.
Apply the regulations to your childminding practice.
Understand the Tusla registration process for childminders.
Understand the documentation required to register with Tusla.
Access supports and resources.

To register your interest in attending a Pre-Registration course, please click on the link to complete the expression of interest form: Click here for the PRT expression of interest form

For further information please contact us on 094 96 22540 or email childminding@roscommonchildcare.ie

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting

As part of the national Child Protection policy, the National Vetting Bureau must vet those people intending to work or are working with children or vulnerable adults. A vetting statement will show applicants if there are any convictions or prosecutions pending or completed recorded against them in the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere.

Barnardos’ Vetting Service processes childminder’s applications for Garda Vetting for free, unless research is needed in other countries where you have lived for more than 6 months.

Click here for more information on Barnardos’ vetting service

To apply, phone Barnardos on 021 4547060 or email vetting@barnardos.ie

Website: www.barnardos.ie

Child Safeguarding

Click here to Link directly to Child Safeguarding section of Roscommon CCC website.

Child Safeguarding:

Click here for the National Child Safeguarding Programme for Early Learning & Childcare Services

Click here for the Always Children First Tusla – Child and Family Agency training link

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028

The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028

The Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration and Youth Launched the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 in April 2021. Click on the links below for more information in relation to the plan.

Website full URL – https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/df207-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/

Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/nationalactionplanforchildminding

YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCbDzj7-W-ptvqOFk0ysiYQ

NAPC video ENG – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnRYczchryY&t=8s

NAPC video GA – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuiR66nvTJk

First 5

First 5

First 5 is a whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a ten-year plan to help make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life.

The First 5 strategy uses evidence to identify goals, objectives and the specific actions required from across Government to support children (and their families) in the early years of life. First 5 commits to major initiatives on family leave, children’s health services, parenting supports, child-friendly communities and Early Learning and Care services among a broad range of actions. The strategy will significantly enhance early childhood and make a huge contribution to the lives of young children, society and the economy over the short, medium and long term.

Click here for more information on First 5

The Childminding Development Grant

The Childminding Development Grant

Each year the Department of Children Equality Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) makes funding available for Childminder’s. The same scale grant of €1,000 is available to Childminders, who are registered with Tusla or Voluntary Notified to Roscommon Childcare Committee. Other eligibility criteria apply, including completion of the ‘Quality Awareness Programme’ and Proof of Insurance.

The Childminding Development Grant can be used to purchase toys, educational materials and equipment or make some minor household adaptations to assist the Childminder in developing a quality service.

**The Childminding Development Grant for 2024 is closed**

Click here to find out more about grants available

The Learner Bursary Fund

The Learner Bursary Fund

Introduced in 2014, the Learner Fund is an initiative of the Department of Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth (DECDIY) administered by Pobal.

Childminder bursary – For Childminders who are registered with Tusla and hold a Level 5 or Level 6 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Since its establishment, over 5,000 early years educators have been supported to raise their qualification levels in Early Childhood Education and Care in line with the NFQ.

**The Learner Bursary Fund for 2024 is closed**

Click here to find out more about grants available

Childminders Tax Relief Scheme

Childminders Tax Relief Scheme

Registering with Revenue

The main legal obligation when becoming self-employed is that Childminders must register as a self employed person with Revenue. Childminders pay tax on the profits from their business and on any other income that they have. The following link to Revenue provides guidance on registering as a
self-employed person: https://www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/registering-for-tax/index.aspx

Childcare Services Relief

If you provide childminding services in your own home, you may claim childcare services relief each year. In order to qualify you must:

not receive more than €15,000 income per annum from the childminding activity
provide the service in your own home
not mind more than three children, who are under the age of 18 years, at any one time
be self employed and registered for self-assessment
and
show you have notified the Health Service Executive (HSE) that you have, will be, or are, providing childcare services.

If another person provides childcare services with you in your home, the €15,000 income limit is divided between you.

How to claim the relief

Include the childcare service income in your Income Tax Return (Form 11). You must claim the relief on, or before, your tax return due date of 31 October.

Click here for more information on the Childminders Tax Relief Scheme