Home Based Childcare
Home-based care is where the child is looked after in the childminder's home for all or part of the day or childcare is provided by a nanny in the child’s own home. The main representative body in Ireland for childminding is Childminding Ireland which was founded in 1983 by a small group of childminders providing family day-care, and is now the National Body for Childminding.
Role of the Childminder
The childminder's role is to provide a loving and comfortable home environment for the children where their developmental and educational needs are met. Childminders offer security, safety, and individualised attention through a variety of developmentally appropriate play activities. The child's welfare is the prime consideration of the childminder. 'Childminders have sole responsibility at all times for the health, safety and well-being of each child entrusted to their care'(National Guidelines for Childminders, rev. edition August 2008).
Childminding Advisory Officers provide supports on networking, information, and training to those minding other people's children at home and link parents and childminders.