Childminders offer family-based childcare which is personal, unique, adaptable and family friendly. The important role childminders play in childcare is recognised and respected by parents, childcare organisations and childcare associations. There are a number of support agencies and organisations available to assist childminders and parents availing of childminding services.

Support for Childminders
The Childminders' Advisor has been employed by the Northern Area HSE to support and advise people who are childminding in their own home. The role of the Childminders' advisor is to provide childminders and potential childminders with opportunities in:

• Training

• Networking

• Information

• Support

Una Caffrey is the Childminder's Advisory Officer for the Fingal Area and can be contacted on:
Fingal County Childcare Committee
ABCO KOVEX Building
Swords Business Park
Swords
Co. Dublin
Ph: (01) 807 7665
Email Una@fingalcountychildcare.ie

Liz Butler is the Childminders Advisor for the Local Health Office Area 6 and can be contacted on:
LHO, North West Dublin
HSE, Rathdown Road, Grangegprman
Dublin 7
Ph:(01) 882 5174 or 086 805 9323
Email: liz.butler@hse.ie

Una & Liz work closely to facilitate childminders in a variety of ways:

• Information: FCCC and HSE have compiled an information pack for current and future childminders. An information pack has also been compiled for parents whose children currently attend a childminding service, or for parents who are interested in availing of childminding services in the future. To obtain an information pack, please contact Una.

• Networks: FCCC offer an opportunity for childminders to meet up in their local area and provide mutual advice and support on providing a quality childcare service in your own home. Click Here For Childminding Network Meeting Dates

• Training: FCCC provide a broad variety of short and long term training courses covering a broad spectrum of areas which impact on all those working in the childcare sector. Should you, as a childminder or potential childminder, be interested in pursuing training in childcare, please check the FCCC training page for suitable courses.
   
• Funding: The Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme has recently introduced a new grant for Childminders. The Childminders Development Grant is to offer an incentive to new and existing childminders who provide or intend to provide a childminding service in their own home, to enhance safety/quality in the service through the purchase of small capital items, equipment, toys or minor adaptation costs. FCCC is responsible for the administration and dispensation of this Grant. Below is a Press Release with information on the launch of the new NCIP Childminders Development Grant.