Publication
Finding a Childcare Service
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Step 1: Consider your Early Learning and Care or School-Age Childcare service requirements. The type of the service you choose will depend upon:
• your child's needs and your family needs
• the type of service you prefer
• the options available in your community
Step 2: Contact your local City/County Childcare Committee who will provide you with a directory of services within your area.
Step 3: How much childcare do you require? Knowing your childcare needs will help you to narrow down your options. See here for the different types of care options.
Step 4: There are various financial supports available for parents and families through the current Childcare Funding programmes. Find out which financial support you are eligible for through contacting your local Childcare Committee.
Step 5: Once you have created a shortlist of Early Learning and Care services in your area that may meet your childcare needs, you can contact them directly to enquire further and arrange an appointment to visit the service.
Researching various services allows you to make informed decisions when choosing an Early Learning and Childcare service. The Early Learning and Care sector is regulated under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years' Services) Regulations 2016. School-Age Childcare services are regulated by the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School-Age Services) Regulations 2018. A list of registered services is available from Tusla, Child and Family Agency.
Once you have completed research regarding services, the next task is to shortlist potential services. A brief email or phone interview asking your key questions will guide you to the next stage of choosing a suitable service. When you contact a service provider, you can ask a number of questions initially. These questions may help you to shortlist providers and make informed decisions in choosing appropriate care for your child.
Such questions may include:
• Is the service registered with Tusla?
• What are the opening hours of the service?
• What age range of children does the service accommodate?
• Are there spaces currently available or is there a waiting list in operation?
• What type of childcare is provided, e.g. full day care, part-time, sessional, etc.?
• If your child has specific needs, is the service resourced to meet those needs?
After an initial phone or email interview, it is recommended that you visit the service.
This is your opportunity to ask about topics such as the service's approach to behaviour management, the procedures in place for emergencies, is there a healthy eating policy and how the service encourages your child's interests and promotes independence. Then as a parent/ guardian, you can decide if the service compliments your approach to parenting and is an appropriate fit for you and your family.
Some points to consider:
• Narrow your choices down to a couple of services that best suit your child and your family needs.
• Consider first impressions of the service. Would you be happy to leave your child in that service?
• Consider external information available to you: Tusla's Early Years' and the Department of Education and Skills (ECCE services only) inspection reports are available online.
• Has anyone been able to recommend the service to you?
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. A service provider should be happy to inform parents on their service, their approach to education and care
Look for:
• Is the indoor and outdoor environment spacious, bright and welcoming?
• Are the premises in good repair, clean, secure and safe?
• Do all children have easy access to the toys and learning materials?
• Is there evidence of the children's work displayed throughout the service?
• What learning opportunities are offered through the curriculum, e.g. physical play, outdoor play, individual activity, group activity, creative activities, construction opportunities? Etc.
• Do the children seem content, comfortable and happy in their surroundings?
• Can you observe caring and respectful interactions between adults and children?
• How is daily information about children communicated to parents/guardians, i.e., diaries, scrapbooks, etc.*
Ask:
• What will a typical day for my child look like? Is independence promoted and encouraged?
• How will staff help my child during the settling in process?
• How often do the children go outside?
• What curriculum approach is used?
• How many children in your child's age group are being cared for in the room?
• How do staff manage difficult or challenging behaviour?
• Do I need to make an appointment to visit the service?
• Am I allowed to enter the service?
Look for:
• Entry and exit points to building and rooms that are clear and clutter free.
• An area that displays information about who is the designated person in charge.
• An area that displays information about who is the First Aid Officer, the Health and Safety Officer and the Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection concerns.
• Evidence of fire safety procedures such as fire evacuation assembly points, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, fire exits, record of fire drills and record of evacuation procedures.
• Outdoor play area, nappy changing area, sleeping and resting facilities that are safe and appropriate.
• Hygienic food preparation areas that are inaccessible to the children.
Ask:
• Who has access to the building?
• Is there a safety statement and can you view it?
• Is food prepared on the premises?
• Transport: Is there a school drop off/collection service in place? Does the vehicle have seatbelts and /or booster seats as appropriate? Is the vehicle appropriately insured with a qualified driver and staff member?
• Child Safeguarding: Is there a Child Safeguarding Statement in place? Is there a procedure for reporting child protection concerns? Have staff attended child protection training and hold up-to-date certification? Is there a Designated Liaison Person and Deputy Designated Liaison Person? Have all staff been Garda Vetted and references checked?
• Drop off and Collection policy: Who can collect your child? What measures are in place to ensure only those authorised to collect your child have access to your child? Are there late collection penalties?
• Illness and Exclusion policy: What is the setting’s illness policy and their policy around the administration of medication? What are the exclusion periods for illnesses? What happens if my child falls ill on the premises? If my child has specific medical needs, how will they be accommodated?
• Accident / incident / emergency care: What procedures are in place in the event of a medical emergency? At what stage of an emergency will you be contacted? How are you informed of any incidents/accidents relating to your child?
• Outings: Are the children taken on outings? How frequent are the outings? What is the adult to child ratios while off the premises? Are these outings covered by insurance? Ask to see the Outings Policy.
• Healthy eating policy: Do parents supply food or does the service provide food? Are there sample menus available to view? Can the service cater for specific dietary requirements that your child may have? What are the meal times? What happens if your child does not eat their dinner? What types of drinks and snacks are permitted in the service? Is water available throughout the day?
Look for:
• Confirmation from the designated person in charge that all staff meet the qualification requirement, are Garda Vetted and Police Vetted (where necessary), and references are checked before working with the children.
• Adequate number of adults in each room to meet the adult:child ratio requirements as set out in the Early Years Regulations 2016 and School-Age Childcare Regulations 2018
• Staff that are positively interacting with the children and colleagues, e.g. at the child's level, positive verbal and body language, and communication that is respectful and encouraging.
• Signs of a professional and caring approach to working with children, colleagues and you as a potential parent of a child in their care.
Ask:
• Who will be looking after your child?
• Does the setting operate a "Play Pod" system and how does it work?
• Is there a high turnover of staff?
• Are the staff Garda Vetted and references checked as required by the Early Years Regulations 2016? Do new staff members complete an induction followed by adequate supervision?
• Is there a designated person in charge on the premises at all times during hours of operation?
• What opportunities are there for parents/guardians to get involved with the service (e.g. outings, plays, family events, etc.)?
• How are concerns about children, staff or the service dealt with? Is there a complaints policy/procedure?
Fees:
• What is the weekly/monthly charge for the childcare you require? How often are fees paid? What is the preferred method of payment? What period of notice do I need to provide when I no longer need childcare?
• Is a deposit required? When is the deposit refunded? Always ask for a receipt of deposit.
• Are there any extra/optional charges e.g. late collection, additional hours?
• What are the payment arrangements regarding holidays, e.g. Christmas and mid-terms?
• If transport is supplied to and from school, is this an extra cost?
• Does the service participate in any of the Childcare Funding programmes? Are you eligible for any of the programmes? Information on the various Childcare Funding programmes are detailed in this guide.
When you have visited services, you may feel you are in a better position to choose the right one for your child and family.
Once you have chosen a service, there are some simple steps to take next:
• Contact the service provider to begin the enrolment process.
• When paying a deposit, ask for a receipt and be clear of the criteria around refundable/non- refundable deposits. Please note: Deposits for ECCE only sessions cannot be more than the amount paid to the service by the Government for 4 weeks of ECCE sessions for your child.
• If your child's name is placed on a waiting list, ask for written confirmation and for the service's procedure in managing the waiting list.
• Arrange a start date and settling in period in line with the procedures of the service.
• Prepare your child for their new experience by talking about the service, what they might do there, about their new teacher and friends they will make.
• Share as much relevant information as possible with the staff caring for your child such as any illnesses, allergies or medical needs, likes and dislikes, eating and sleeping patterns, etc. Ensure you have enough time to do this. The more information you provide about your child the easier it is for staff to meet your child’s needs, and the easier it is for your child to transition from home to the service.
• Ensure the service is provided with everything they require to care for your child such as nappies, food, bottles, etc.
• Request a copy of the policies and procedures.
• If you are availing of a funding programme, ask for clarification on the associated notice period (e.g. if you choose to move to another service, what is the notice period and if the funding stays with the child or with the service in these instances).
• If you have any queries related to the Early Learning and Care sector, contact your local City and County Childcare Committees