Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the opening of the 2022 Childminder Development Grant.
With a total budget of €250,000, the Childminder Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
The Grant aims to support the enhancement of quality and safety in the service through the purchase of small capital items, equipment, toys or minor adaptation costs. It may also give financial assistance to new or prospective childminders with their initial set-up costs.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said:
“In April 2021, I published the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, an ambitious plan that sets out an incremental supportive pathway to bring childminders within the scope of State-funded supports and regulation. The plan makes provision for bespoke training, regulations and supports that will accelerate access to the National Childcare Scheme for more childminders. Access to the National Childcare Scheme will provide childminders with the opportunity to support parents and families with the fees and will continue to support quality affordable early learning and childcare in a home-based setting.
“I am delighted to announce the 2022 Childminder Development Grant for childminders, who provide such a vital service for children and families. This Grant helps childminders make small changes that can have extensive benefits. Throughout the lifetime of the National Action Plan for Childminding, I will provide a range of additional supports to childminders commencing with bespoke training opportunities becoming available to childminders in early 2023.”
For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.
