Types of Childcare

Sessional Services:   Services which offer a planned programme to pre-school children for a total of not more than 3.5 hours per session. Services covered by the definition may include pre-schools, playgroups, crèches, Montessori pre-schools, naíonraí, registered childminders or similar services which generally cater for pre-school children in the 0-6 year age bracket.

Part-time day care:   Services offering a structured day care service for pre-school children of more than 3.5 hours and less that 5 hours per day and may include a sessional pre-school service for pre-school children not attending the part-time day care service. The service must provide the same physical environment, including rest, play and sanitary facilities, as for full day care. Services covered by the above definition may include pre-schools, playgroups, crèches, Montessori pre-schools, naíonraí, registered childminders or similar services which generally cater for pre-school children in the 0-6 year age bracket.

Full Day Care Services:   Services offering a structured day care service for children in the 0-6 year age bracket which may include a sessional pre-school service for pre-school children not attending the full day care service. Services such as those currently described as day nurseries and crèches are included in this definition.

School Age Childcare (SAC): SAC refers to the care of school going children, after school ends or before school starts. There is sometimes an option to attend SAC on a full-time basis outside of the school term.

Drop–In Centres:   Services offering day care which is used on an intermittent basis for a period of not more than two hours while a parent/guardian is availing of a service or attending an event. Such services are mainly located in shopping centres, leisure centres or other establishments as part of customer/client service.

Childminding:   A service offered by a person who single-handedly takes care of pre-school children in the childminder’s home for a total of more than 2 hours per day. A childminder can mind up to 5 children in their home.  Childminders who intend caring for 4 or more children are required to register their service with Tusla.  Childminders caring for 3 children or less are encouraged to voluntary notify Kerry County Childcare of their service.  Parents and childminders negotiate their own terms (hours, rates, duties, etc.)  For further information in relation to choosing a childminder contact KCCC for a copy of our booklet “Choosing a Childminder – A Guide for Parents“.

Overnight Childcare Service – Services that care for children overnight in a crèche type or childminding service to facilitate parents’/guardians’ working arrangements for a total of more than 2 hours between the hours of 7pm and 6am.