Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced the opening of the 2023 Childminding Development Grant.

With a total budget of €250,000, the Childminding 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 toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, and equipment to support inclusion and STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths).

It is open to registered and unregistered childminders as well as those who are planning to open a childminding business in 2023.

For the first time, 75% of the grant will be paid in advance, to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.

Making today’s announcement, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2023 Childminding Development Grant. The welcome changes to the grants for 2023 are a direct result of feedback from childminders and other stakeholders on the Funding and Financial Supports Advisory Group, which was set up to assist in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. The involvement of childminders themselves is central to the design and the delivery of the National Action Plan for Childminding.

“In parallel with enhancements to this year’s Childminding Development Grant, my department continues to progress other actions in Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, including the drafting of childminder-specific regulations that will be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work.

“Once introduced, the childminder-specific regulations will enable a much wider cohort of childminders and parents to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme. The drafting of childminder-specific regulations, and associated legislative reform, is under way at present, and consultation on the draft regulations will take place in the coming months.”

For further information about the Childminder Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding, visit http://www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.