The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021 – 2028 sets out a phased approach to the regulation and registration of childminders. Central to work under the National Action Plan has been the development of new regulations that are specific to childminders and that are appropriate and proportionate for a home-based setting. The draft regulations set out proposed minimum standards for anyone who provides a childminding service.

Regulations are an official recognition from the State that demonstrates that childminders are a valued part of early learning and childcare in Ireland. Regulations set out safe-guarding measures for children. These regulations will enable all childminders to register with Tusla and offer the access to the childcare funding schemes for the families that use their services.

A childminder is someone who is paid to look after other people’s children. This does not include those that only look after their relative’s children such as grandparents. Childminders work in their own home and they work alone. These regulations will not apply to people who are employees caring for children in the child’s own home. These regulations relate only to childminders who single-handedly look after other people’s children in the childminder’s primary family residence, their own home.

We understand that these regulations represent an enormous change for childminders and we are holding this public consultation so that as many childminders, parents, representative organisations and other interested individuals/bodies as possible can have their say.