Home Based Childcare

A home-based service is ideal for you if you want your children to be cared for in a home environment where they can socialise with small groups of children from varying age groups. Home-based childcare can also provide structured educational play and learning.

Childminder

A childminder is someone who offers childcare in the childminders own home. They provide a home from home environment, which can offer continuity from the newborn to after-school stages. Childminders can offer flexible hours to meet parent’s needs and provide wrap around care, i.e. drop-off and collection from Pre-school or school.

A Childminder who minds 4 or more pre-school children is obliged to notify and be inspected by the Health Service Executive (HSE), Pre-school Services under the Childcare (Pre-school Services) Regulations 2006, and should care for no more than 5 pre-school children (including their own).

A Childminder who minds 3 or less children can ‘Voluntary Notify’ to their City/County Childcare Committee. Parents should ask if a Childminder is either HSE notified or voluntary notified to their City/County Childcare Committee.

It is realistic for parents to pay for childcare on days where the child is not with the Childminder; for example, bank holidays, parent sick days, parent holidays etc..

Nanny/Au Pair

A Nanny/Au Pair is employed by parents to provide childcare in the child’s own home and can look after children of any age. Nannies may be ‘live-in’, or come to your home on a daily basis, or as required. There is no legal requirement for a Nanny to be qualified in childcare but many have childcare training. Nannies do not have to notify the HSE Pre-School Services.

When choosing a Nanny it is important that you interview the person and check all references supplied before offering the post. When employing a Nanny, the parent should be aware of the relevant employment legislation and have Employer’s Liability Insurance cover.

Babysitters

Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a babysitter, talk to other parents who have used babysitters. If you advertise, you should insist on references and check out these references. Babysitters need to be informed of the children’s routines especially where babies and young children are concerned.