Evaluate Childcare Options
When you start thinking about childcare, whether for a baby or an older child, you will need to start listing the most important aspects of childcare from your point of view. A key overall issue to consider is the choice of setting of childcare that meets the needs of your family.
Would you prefer a home based setting where someone looks after your child in his/her own home, possibly with his/her own/other children?
Advantages: Home like setting, small group of mixed age children, siblings can be together, more individualized attention, family friendly interaction, more flexibility with drop off and pick up times, potential for strong bond with childminder, possible to find location that suits you.
Disadvantages: less regulated than childcare services, not every childminding service has a back up care plan in case of illness or holiday time, high level of dependance on one person.
Would you like someone to come into your house?
Advantages: Stability for child as he/she stays in own house, potential for strong bond with nanny, flexibility, no need for commuting with child, no disruption if child is ill.
Disadvantages: Lack of supervision, high level of dependence on one person.
Or would you prefer a more formal setting, for example a crèche?
Advantages: Care is more team-based so there is greater supervision and less dependence on one person (in case of illness, holidays, change of position, etc.), opportunities for developmental activities drawing on different skills of teaching staff.
Disadvantages: more institutional setting, siblings may be separated by age group, normally higher children to adult ratios.
How to find a babysitter?
Unless you have a ready supply of babysitters, you are likely to face the dilemma at some stage of who you can get to mind your child while you go out for a night. The most common way of finding a babysitter is through informal enquiries in the neighbourhood or signs in local shops. Increasingly, companies are being set up to supply babysitters as required.
Links & Resources
What to Look For
Regulation of pre-school child care services is set out in the Child Care (Pre-School Services) regulations 1996 and (amendment)1997
MinderFinders
MinderFinders is Ireland's first babysitting club that offers a booking service, which guarantees the provision of suitably experienced minders.
Irish Red Cross
Irish Red Cross have produced a handbook for babysitters and parents, which is packed with handy do's and don'ts for both babysitters and for the people employing them to look after their children.
RollerCoaster.ie
Looking for childcare? Ask what's available in your area, or search for childcare in Dublin City & County, Leinster, Munster, Connacht/Ulster.
Childcare.ie
The national online directory of child care providers in Ireland.
Creche Directory
For a creche directory, with a list of creches from Academie d'Enfants to Treasures Island Creche, in association with the Sunday Business Post.