If you are thinking of starting a childminding business, there are a number of issues you need to consider. Different supports and regulations apply, depending on your particular situation. You may be employed, unemployed or someone who is coming from outside Ireland to set up a business.
As a childminder, you should set up a business as a sole trader. It is relatively simple to set up as a sole trader. Your main legal obligation is that you must register as a self-employed person Legal Obligations on Becoming Self Employed with the Revenue Commissioners. If you want to use a business name, you must register your business name with the Companies Registration Office. For more information, go to selfemployedsupports.ie
If you are unemployed you may be eligible for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA). If you are starting a business, you also may get extra supports under these schemes, for example grants for training, market research, business plans and access to loans to buy equipment.
You also need to plan your service. Do some research. What level of demand is there for childminding in your area? How much should you charge? You may need to prepare your home for young children. Fill in the questionnaire Planning a childminding service to get you started. Read our Guidelines to Planning a Childminding Business in your home.
WCCC offers support and advice to Childminders minding children in their own homes (and the parents who have their children minded). Advice is freely available by contacting your local Childcare Committee by telephone 0404-64455 or email. We can arrange a home visit to discuss anything to do with childminding.
See our training section for our latest training events.
For further information please contact: info@wccc.ie or 0404 64455.
All information on the latest publications and schemes for childminders is available on request or to download below.
These include:
A FULL information pack for childminders and those thinking of childminding is available by contacting WCCC.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides Childminding Development Grants of up to €1,000 to those who provide or intend to provide a childminding service in the Childminder’s own home. You may apply for a grant annually to purchase equipment or make small home modifications for your service.
Contact us at info@wccc.ie or 0404 64455 to find out when the next round of funding is available.
Note that registration with Tusla for childminders is due to change in the near future. Under the National Action Plan for Childminding (2021-2028), registration with Tusla will be extended to all paid, non-relative childminders under new regulations specific to childminding in the home.
What is the purpose of registration?
How do you register a childminding service?
Here are some things it’s best to get sorted before you open your service. If you have already started, you can still catch up on the things you’ve left out!
Currently, under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 a person minding more than three pre-school children from different families is obliged to register with Tusla as a childminding service.
A person minding more than six school age children must also register with Tusla Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. You do not have to hold a qualification in order to register as a school age childminder.
A ‘pre-school child’ is a child under six years of age who is not attending a national school or a school providing education similar to a national school.
A ‘school age child’ is a child aged 4-14 years attending any form of primary or secondary school.