• Regulations provide important safeguards for children and quality assurance for parents.

• First official recognition of childminders as part of the early years sector.

• Regulations pave the way for childminders to come into the National Childcare Scheme.

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the publication of the new Childminding Regulations, which will come into effect on 30 September. 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 introduction of the Childminding Regulations follows through on a commitment in the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.

From 30 September, it will be possible for childminders to start applying to Tusla to go through the registration process. Once registered by Tusla, childminders can then also apply to take part in the National Childcare Scheme.

An extensive consultation process on the Draft Regulations took place in the first half of the year with childminders, parents and other stakeholders. As a result of the consultation process, a number of significant changes have been made in the regulations that are now being published.

The Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 are due to be commenced on 30 September. Relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 will be commenced on the same day and, in line with the Act, there will be a transition period of three years following the commencement of the Regulations. During this 3-year transition period, childminders will be able to register with Tusla, but they will not be required to do so.

Read the full press release here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4e548-minister-ogorman-publishes-new-regulations-for-childminding-paving-way-for-childminders-to-come-into-national-childcare-scheme/