CHILDMINDERS
Childminding A Career
Becoming A Childminder
Training
Information
Networking
Childminding Development Grant
Childminder Advisory Officer
Tax Relief
Voluntary Notification
National Guidelines
Childminder Support Pack
Childminding A Career
Did you know that childminding is rapidly becoming a recognised career option in its own right? As a Childminder (minding three children or less) you have the opportunity to avail of advice, support, information & training from Offaly County Childminding Initiative.
County Offaly Childminding Initiative is supported by Offaly County Childcare Committee and the Childminding Advisory Officer.
The main aim of the County Offaly Childminding Initiative is to offer support to Childminders, help them to identify their needs and more importantly to give a voice to Home Based Childminders as valued service providers in the Childcare Sector.
To facilitate this aim, two Childminders are nominated from the Childminder’s Network, to represent Childminder’s Views, on the Childminding Working Group of Offaly County Childcare Committee. This Working Group meets monthly and over sees the development of the County Offaly Childminding Initiative. Feedback form this group is reported on a monthly basis to the board of Offaly County Childcare Committee.
The National Childminding Initiative is implemented under four Categories; Information, Training, Networking and Childminder Development Grants.
Becoming A Childminder
Role of a Childminder
A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in a “home
from home” setting. 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. A
Childminder negotiates and agrees her/his terms with parents.
(Revised Edition: August 2008 National Guidelines for Childminders, Pg 2)
Step 1
Often a person decides to set up a Childminding Service without realising the full impact on their home, their family and themselves. If, after considering the issues raised above, you still feel you are a suitable candidate to provide home based childcare you can act on step 2 or 3.
Check for details of upcoming Childminding in the Home/QAP training courses.
(Childminders Information Booklet 2008, pg5)
Step 2
Download and read.
-
• National Guidelines for Childminders
- Stress Managment/Self Care workshop for childminders/providers/parents will take place on 15th June in HSE Pre School Services Office, Burlington Business Park 7.30pm -9pm
- Childminder Seminar on " Early Learning in a home based setting" on 16th October in Tullamore. Venue TBC
- Quality Awareness Programme (Childminding in the Home Course) planned for Sept, Details TBC
- Childminder Forum on 3rd November HSE Pre School Services Office. Topic TBC
- Childminder Workshop planned for November
• Childminder Support pack
• Send the voluntary notification form and self evaluation form to the Childminder Advisory officer.
• You will receive an advisory phone call to arrange a home visit to discuss childminding in the home and what supports and opportunities are available to you
OR
Step 3
• Contact the Childminder Advisory Officer at 057 93 70630 and she will send you
• National Guidelines for childminders
• Childminder Support pack
• The CMAO will arrange an advisory visit to your home via telephone and will assist you in completing the voluntary notification form/self evaluation form.
• She will discuss childminding in the home and what supports and opportunities are available to you.
Benefits to You as a Childminder
• When you are voluntary notified to the HSE you can mind 3 or less pre-school children only.
• Your childminding service will be included on the vacancy list for parents once you have a current childminding insurance policy.
• You can apply for the Childminder Development grant up to the value of €1,000 (see details under Childminder Development grant)
• You can complete training courses which are subsidised by Offaly County Childcare Committee Childminding Initiative
• You can attend the local coffee/fun mornings etc for Childminders
• You can avail of a €15,000 tax exemption and pay your PRSI of €253 per annum
• You can contact the CMAO advice line 057 93 70630 at any time for support advice and information
Training
Training has a lot to offer Childminders and the families they work with. Training gives Childminders greater self-confidence in their knowledge and skills. Parents feel reassured knowing their childminder has suitable training.
Childminder Training & Event Schedule
Booking forms are available from Fiona on 057 9370630 or from Sheena on 057 9135878.
Quality Awareness Programme
Are you a Childminder or thinking of becoming a Childminder in your own home?
Offaly County Childcare Committee has organised a “Childminding in the Home” / Quality Awareness Programme for Childminders and those who are thinking about setting up a childminding service in their own home. This is a practical course which covers the following topics;
• Why choose Childminding?
• Child Development-an overview
• Hygiene, Health and Safety
• Well-being of children
• Play
• Business side of Childminding
On completion of this course, a certificate of attendance will be issued to the participants.
If you would like more childminding information please contact Fiona on 057 9370630
Information
Childminders regularly receive information via post from the Childminder Advisory Officer and Offaly County Childcare Committee.
Information events are held on Childminding issues and topics of interest to Childminders.
Childminder Publications such as 'National Guidelines for Childminders', 'Childminder Newsletters', 'Information Leaflets' and 'Childminder's Support Pack' are developed and / or purchased for Childminders to support Childminders.
Networking
A support network for Childminders:
• Provides the platform for Childminders voices to be heard
• Enables the Childminders to form their own group in their local areas
• Can link into other childcare services, and with other professionals
• Enables other Childminders to meet up with each other in a social setting
• Can establish better childcare services for parents.
For details on upcoming networking events please see the Training Calendar or contact Fiona on 057 9370630.
Childminding Development Grant
The Childminder Development Grant is available for Childminders to carry out minor refurbishments in their home or to purchase toys and equipment for the children in their care. The maximum grant available is €1,000 or up to 90% of the cost of a project. The Childminder must pay for 10% of the project with the grant covering the other 90%. Grants can be applied for every two years.
Offaly County Childcare Committee administers the grant scheme. Applications for the grant will be accepted monthly, before the first Thursday of each month. To apply for the grant please contact Áine on 057 9135878 for an application form.
Childminder Advisory Officer
Fiona McHugh is the Childminder Advisory Officer for County Offaly and she is based in Pre-school Services, H.S.E., Dublin/Mid Leinster,Burlington Business Park,Sragh Road,Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Contact Fiona on 05793 70630 or email:
fiona.mchugh2@hse.ie
The Childminder Advisory Officer’s role is:
• To provide a support system for Childminders caring for 3 of fewer children.
• To provide information and training for Childminders
• To promote voluntary notification of Childminders
• To facilitate the establishment of local networks of such Childminders
• To provide advisory visits to Childminders homes.
Childminders who voluntary notify, receive home visits from the CMAO and can avail of ongoing support.
On an advisory visit to the home the Childminder Advisory Officer reviews the self- evaluation completed by the Childminder as per National Guidelines for Childminders.
Tax Relief for Childminding
The Childminder Tax Relief Scheme provides tax relief to childminders who take care of up to 3 children (not thier own children) in thier own home. This scheme allows Childminders to earn up to €15,000 from childminding without paying tax.
A childminder is obliged to return details of this income in her annual tax return and to notify the County Childcare Committee that she is providing a Childminding Service.
.
Voluntary Notification
The Child Care Act 1991 provides for the care and protection of children and for related matters. Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 applies to the Supervision of Pre-School Services. In Section 58, it outlines the exemptions to Part VII of Child Care Act 1991.
Section 58 of the Child Care Act 1991 – “For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the provisions of this part shall not apply to-
(a) the care of one or more pre-school children undertaken by a relative of the child or children of the spouse of such relative,
(b) a person taking care of one or more pre-school children of same family and no other such children (other than that person’s own such children) in that person’s home,
(c ) a person taking care of not more than 3 pre- school children of different families (other than that person’s own such children) in that person’s home”.
Childminders caring for three or less pre-school Children can voluntary notify their Childminding Service i.e. voluntarily inform the Childminder Advisory Officer that they are providing a Childminding service in their own home.
Voluntary notified Childminders receive advice and support from the CMAO and receive information, training, networking opportunities and Childminder Development Grants through Offaly County Childcare Committee. Voluntary Notified Childminders agree to work within the National Guidelines for Childminders.
To voluntary notify your Childminding service, please contact the Childminding Advisory Officer on 057 9370630.
National Guidelines
The National Guidelines for Childminders were revised in August 2008. As the name suggests they provide guidelines for good practise to assist Childminders operate a Childminding Service. They also provide detailed information on statutory notification and voluntary notification. Copies of the National Guidelines are available free of charge from the Childminder Advisory Officer or download from
www.omc.gov.ie
Childminder Support Pack
The Childminding Advisory Officer in conjunction with Offaly County Childcare Committee has developed a Childminder Support Pack for Voluntary Notification for Offaly Childminders. The Pack aims to support Childminders to provide a quality Childminding Service and compliments the voluntary notification process and the National Guidelines for Childminders.
The Support pack contains sample Childminding Policies & Procedures, Record Keeping Forms and an Information Booklet for Childminders.
If you would like to receive a Childminder Support Pack, please contact the Childminder Advisory Officer on 057 9370630.
