CHILD DAY CARE FOR UNDER EIGHTS

The Registration and Inspection Officers (Child Day Care) regulate day care facilities for children under the age of eight years, under the “Children and Young Persons Act 2001”. You may contact this Department for information regarding the following:

Public lists of Registered Childminders, Nurseries, Playgroups and Crèches.
Leaflet for parents regarding choosing a Childminder.
How to become a Registered Childminder.
Setting up a Child Day Care Facility.
Advice regarding any of the above.

What is Childminder?

Under the “Children and Young Persons Act 2001” a childminder is a person who looks after one or more children under the age of eight years, for more than a total of two hours a day on domestic premises (other than the child’s own home) for reward. Under the “Children and Young Persons Act 2001” any person acting as a childminder will need to be registered with the Department. (Parents and relatives are exempt)

Under the “Children and Young Persons Act 2001” If you act as a childminder without being registered, it could lead to prosecution.

What is Child Day Care?

Day Care, is care provided at any time for children under the age of eight on premises other than domestic premises, where the period in any one day exceeds two hours. Child Day Care is provided into the following four types:

Full Day Care

Day care for children under eight for a continuous period of four hours or more in any day.

Sessional Day Care

Day care for children under eight that are less than a continuous period of four hours in any day

Crèches

Crèches provide occasional care for children under eight on more than five days a year. They need to be registered where they run for a total of more than two hours a day, even when individual children attend for a shorter period.

Out of School Care

Including drop-in play provision and special interest activity clubs.

Under the “Children and Young Persons Act 2001” any body who wishes to provide a child day care facility for children under the age of eight, for more than two hours in any day and for six days or more in any year will be required to register with the Department.