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Starting a new childcare business?
Contact Cavan County Childcare Committee for advice and support during the process.
Please click here for a step by step guide to starting your childcare service.
Grants
In 2009 the National Childcare Investment Programme capital grants ceased. It is envisaged that there will be a new childcare programme after 2010, however it is not known whether there will be capital grants available through this. Capital grants cover expenses such as construction, renovation, refurbishment, extensions, fixtures and fittings and childcare equipment. It does not cover any running costs of the service. If you are thinking of opening a childcare service you must establish the cost of the project and be prepared to fund the total cost yourself. There are no capital grants available to the childcare sector at present.
Pre-School Regulations
The Childcare (Pre-School) Services Regulations 2006 set out the minimum standards that childcare services must meet in Ireland. The regulations aim to improve and regulate the health, safety and welfare of pre-school children. They also aim to promote the overall development and well being of the child. Childcare Services must notify to the HSE Pre-School Inspection Team of their intention to provide childcare services. The HSE carry out inspections of childcare settings to ensure they meet the requirements. Here is a list of some regulatory areas in the 2006 regulations:
- Health, safety and welfare of child.
- Fire Safety measures.
- Heating, ventilation, lighting and sanitary accommodation.
- Equipment and materials.
- Record keeping.
- Management & staffing.
- Behaviour management
- Facilities for rest & play.
- Food & drink.
- Ratio of adults to children.
- Space requirements for each child.
- First aid & medical assistance.
- Inspection.
- Insurance.
- Keeping register of pre-school children.
- Providing information for parents.
- Recruitment & Vetting.
Currently school age childcare services are not covered under these regulations. However, good practice suggests that after school services use these as a guide to developing and operating a service. If you are thinking of starting a childcare business you must familiarise yourself with the regulations. You can also contact your local Preschool Inspection team or County Childcare Committee for advice on setting up a service and adhering to the regulations.
Planning permission is required in the following situations:
- If you are caring for more than 6 children in your home.
- If you are extending an already existing childcare service.
- If you are changing use of a premises to provide childcare (for more than 6 children)
- If you are renovating or converting any room of a dwelling.
- If you are building a new childcare facility.
What type of information must you give planning authorities?
- You must inform planning what type of service you will be providing- such as full day care, sessional etc.
- You must know what numbers of children you can cater for – your HSE Environmental Officer on the Pre-School Inspection Team will be able tell you this in accordance with the preschool regulations.
- The age ranges of children being cared for.
- Number of staff.
- Size of floor space.
- Provision and management of outdoor play area.
- You hours of operation.
- You must provide one parking space for every 4 children attending the service and have adequate space for dropping off, turning and collecting children.
Private or community?
Childcare services in Ireland can be either two types – privately owned or owned and managed by a committee made up of voluntary members from the community.
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