Childminders in Ireland: How to Find, Vet and Hire One

Childminders remain one of the most common forms of childcare in Ireland, especially for families needing flexible, home-based care outside standard creche hours. But finding a good one, and understanding the rules around registration and subsidies, can be confusing for newcomer families. Here's what you need to know in 2025.

What is a childminder and how is it different from a creche?

A childminder cares for children, usually in the childminder's own home, often looking after a small mixed-age group rather than children grouped strictly by age as in a creche or Early Learning and Care (ELC) centre. Childminders can offer more flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional or irregular days, which suits parents with non-standard work patterns, including many self-employed and shift-working newcomers in cities like Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Do childminders in Ireland need to be Tusla registered?

Historically, childminders minding fewer than 4 children (excluding their own) were exempt from Tusla registration, but this is changing under the phased rollout of the Childminding Action Plan 2021-2028. From September 2024, all new childminders providing paid childcare are required to notify Tusla, and full registration requirements are being phased in for all childminders, including previously exempt ones, by 2029. Always ask a prospective childminder directly whether they are Tusla-registered or notified, and check their status, since this affects both safety oversight and your eligibility for subsidies.

Does the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) cover childminders?

Yes, but with conditions. Under the National Childcare Scheme, subsidies (both the means-tested and universal subsidy) are only available for childminders who are Tusla-registered. As registration expands under the Childminding Action Plan, more childminders will become eligible for NCS funding over the coming years. As of 2025, the universal subsidy of up to €1.40 per hour is available for children under 15 regardless of income, while income-assessed subsidies can be significantly higher for lower-income families, but only through registered providers, so this is a crucial question to ask upfront.

What questions should I ask a childminder before hiring them?

Key questions include: Are you Tusla-registered or notified, and can I see your registration number? What is your Garda vetting status? Do you hold a paediatric first aid certificate? What is your policy on illness, holidays, and sick days? How many children (including your own) are you minding at once? Can you provide references from current or past families? What is included in the weekly or daily rate, and what costs extra (meals, nappies, activities)? A good childminder should welcome these questions and provide clear, confident answers.

What should be in a childminder contract?

Always get a written agreement, even for informal arrangements. It should cover: agreed hours and days, the hourly or weekly rate (typical rates range from roughly €7 to €12 per hour depending on location and experience, with Dublin generally at the higher end), payment terms and what happens for sick days or holidays on both sides, notice periods for ending the arrangement (commonly 2 to 4 weeks), what's included (meals, activities, outings) versus billed separately, and confirmation of Tusla registration/notification status and Garda vetting. Citizensinformation.ie has sample guidance on childcare arrangements that's worth reviewing before you sign anything.

Frequently Asked Questions