Childminding Development Grant

1. You should be minding or intend minding a minimum of 2 children. At least 1 child on a full time basis* and 1 child on a  part time basis** or at least 3 children on a part time basis. You can apply for the grant in preparation for minding new children.
2. You should not have received a CMDG within the past 2 years (if you received €500-€1000) or 1 year (if you received up to €500)

*As a guideline a place should be counted as full-day care/full-time if it is available continuously for more than 5 hours per day for a minimum of 3 full days per week

**A place should be counted as part-time if it is available for more than 3.5 hours and up to (and including) 5 hours continuously.

1. Be Voluntary Notified to TCCC
2. Have completed / booked on relevant training including Child Protection & Welfare Training
3. Accredited Occupational First Aid or have equivalent childcare training
4. Have garda vetting
5. Have insurance cover for your childminding service.
6. Completed the Childminding Quality Awareness Programme (available from TCCC)

a) Have previously voluntary notified to Tipperary Childcare Committee or are registered with Túsla.

b) Meet eligibility criteria but who have never received a grant previously.

c) Will increase the number of childcare places, particularly in areas of high unmet childcare demand.

d) Care for the greatest number of children.

e) Operate a full-time service.

f) Participate in continuing professional development.

If you are caring for 4 or more pre-school children at any one time you must register with Tusla – the Child & Family Agency.

Contact your local Early Years Inspector.

Childminders may apply for 90% of the cost of items that are approved for funding up to a maximum of €1,000 e.g. if items cost €1,111 you may receive a grant of €1,000.

The grant is paid to the childminder retrospectively for receipted items purchased i.e. when the application is approved, items can then be purchased and the receipts for the purchased items are to be sent to Tipperary CCC for reimbursement.

Childminders who commit to operate for 2 years are eligible to apply for the maximum grant of €1,000.

Due to a limited budget available to Tipperary CCC, there is no guarantee that childminders will be approved for any/all items in their application.

• Decide on how funding could best improve your childminding service. Get a quotation for all items to be purchased by checking catalogues for prices or visit and contact shops for safety, childcare equipment.

• Complete the CMDG application form and submit it to Ger Boland Tipperary CCC.

• Your application will be appraised by Tipperary CCC whose recommendations will be sent to Pobal. Pobal will review and return a list of approvals. Don’t buy anything yet until you receive written confirmation of approval. Items already purchased cannot be considered for the grant. No purchases should be made until your application has been approved.

• Ensure you will meet the eligibility criteria:
  • Be Voluntary Notified to the Tipperary CCC
  • You should be minding or intend minding a minimum of 2 children. At least 1 child on a full time basis and 1 child on a part time basis or at least 3 children on a part time basis. (You can apply for the grant in preparation for minding new children).
  • Organise insurance cover for your childminding service.
  • Ensure you have completed relevant training including Child Protection & Welfare Training, FETAC Accredited Occupational First Aid & QAP or childcare accredited training
  • You should not have received a CMDG within the past 2 years (if you received €500-€1000) or 1 year (if you received up to €500)
  • Have Garda Vetting

• Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter of agreement which you should sign and return to Tipperary CCC accompanied by:
  • evidence of insurance (if not already submitted)
  • Declaration of Garda vetting
  • Evidence of completed training (if not already submitted)

• When your letter of agreement has been returned to Tipperary CCC you may then purchase the items approved for funding. It is essential that you retain the original receipts as the grant cheque can only be issued to you when these receipts are forwarded to Tipperary CCC.

• In some cases, shops may offer a pro-forma invoice and items can be reserved in the shop. Tipperary CCC can accept this pro forma invoice and issue payment directly to the shop. Once items have been collected, the final purchase receipt should then be forwarded to Tipperary CCC.

• If you cease to operate your childminding service within the agreed timeframe, Tipperary CCC may seek to recoup the value of the grant approved.

The grant must be used for the benefit of the children and to improve the quality of the services, for example:

Health & Safety items – fire blanket, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, socket covers, cupboard locks, first aid kit, stair gate, refuse bins, fireguard, etc.

Childcare equipment – changing table / mat, sterilizer, double/single buggy, high chair, cot, sturdy child sized table & chairs, booster seat, step up stools, potty, bedding, car seat, storage etc.

Indoor/outdoor play equipment – swing, slide, climbing frame, sand box & water tray, ride on toys, building blocks, art & craft supplies, books, appropriate toys for various age groups, etc.

Minor adaptations – fencing, gates, painting, flooring, developing a changing area/ outdoor play space etc.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications changes yearly. You will be given notice of the date.

Applications will receive an email and written confirmation of grant approval.

If you previously received a Childminding Development Grant under previous schemes you may still be eligible for funding. If your last funding draw-down was less than 2 years ago then you are not eligible to apply this time unless the last grant amount approved was €500 or less.

• Voluntary Notification Certification in date
• Complete the application form & forward to Ger Boland Tipperary CCC, gerboland@tccc.ie
• Signed Declaration on page 4 of the Application Form
• You should be minding or intend minding a minimum of 2 children (At least 1 child on a full
• time basis and 1 child on a part time basis or at least 3 children on a part time basis).
• Submit Quotations/catalogue prices for all items