Childminding Information and Registration

Welcome to Kerry County Childcare Committee’s Childminding section. Here you will find all the information and resources to support you to set up and run your childminding business.

Kerry CCC supports Childminders with:

  • Setting up and operating a childminding service in your own home
  • Registering with Tusla
  • Networking events to link in with other childminders
  • Support in accessing grants and funding particularly the National Childminding Development Grant
  • Access to training and information i.e. First Aid, Fire Safety, and Always Children First Training, Pre-registration Training etc.
  • Offering the National Childcare Scheme
  • Connecting with parents who are seeking childminding care
  • Having their names included on a public list of childminders which is made available to parents
  • Updates on legislation and the Action Plan for Childminding.

Click here for updates on the National Action Plan for Childminding

Click here for information on current legislation and any changes in law.

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.
  • Children are welcomed as individuals, they are offered affection and respect and their developmental and recreational needs are met. Childminders offer a flexible service, tailored to each child, thereby helping parents and guardians to balance their work and family commitments. The child’s welfare must be the prime consideration of the Childminder. Childminders have sole responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of each child entrusted to their care.
  • Childminding is one of Kerry County Childcare Committee’s key priorities in the development of childcare in Kerry. Our role is to assist people interested in establishing or developing quality home-based childminding services by offering information, training and support.

Tusla Registration

Under the new Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024 all childminders must register with Tusla.  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.

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 Preregistration Training

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 Amy (amy@kerrycountychildcare.com / 087 7885114), 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: EOI-PRT-Kerry.docx

For further information please contact us on 066 7181582 or email amy@kerrycountychildcare.com

 

Regulations and Explanatory Guidance

Follow the links to access the new legislation in full, read the explanatory guidance notes and find out further information on the Tusla registration process.

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