Childminder Development Grant
The purpose of the Childminders Development Grant is to offer an incentive, in the form of a small capital grant, to Childminders to enhance and support their awareness of quality childcare.
The Childminders Development Grant is designed to assist Childminders, already providing a childminding service in their own homes, to enhance safety/quality 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.
All applicants must be committed to maintaining/improving the quality of their childminding service.
Funding will be made available to Meath CCC specifically for this purpose – CCI will be informed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) of the funding being made available to them annually for the operation of the CMDG.
Pobal will manage the contractual arrangements of funding to Meath CCC on behalf of the DCYA.
All applications to be submitted no later than the 14th August to :
Meath County Childcare Committee
Commons Rd
Clogherboy
Navan
Co. Meath
Childminder Development Grant (CMDG) 2019 Changes?
The DCYA have made a change to the administration of the Childminder Development Grant for 2019, as a result of which Meath County Childcare Committee has been given the task of administering applications on behalf of all City/County Childcare Committees. This provides national consistency in implementation and equal access of opportunity to make an application for all eligible childminders. All Childminders wishing to make an application will do so to Meath County Childcare Committee to the address stated on the application form, who will process their application.
There is no intention that the new process would interfere with local work. It is very important that the established relationships continue between the local Childcare Committees and the Childminders. The Childcare Committees play a vital role in supporting Childminders at local level. This change is merely for administration purposes only. The template provided with the process document requires the Childminder to engage with their local CCC as they will need to submit this template with their application. One further change to the eligibility criteria is a requirement to complete the children first e-learning programme.
What funding is available under the Childminder Development Grant?
The maximum grant available to a Childminder, who fully meets the criteria of the scheme, is 90% of total receipted eligible childcare expenditure, subject to a maximum grant of €1,000.
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A Childminder who is: a) Providing an existing childminding service carried out in the Childminder’s home OR
b) Proposing a new childminding service to be carried out in the Childminder’s home
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A Childminder who provides/proposes to provide childminding services (not including Childminders own children) for at least:
a) 3 children on a part time basis
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b) 1 child on a full-time basis and 1 child on a part time basis
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A Childminder who has:
a) Completed the prescribed Childminding Quality Awareness Programme (QAP)
[Note: A Childminder may be exempt from attending the QAP if they have already completed an equivalent Childminding course or relevant quality related training. [This decision will be made at the discretion of the local CCC for 2019.]
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| ü | Must provide evidence of appropriate insurance |
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Must provide evidence of Children First E-Learning programme
www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme.)
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| ü | Required to operate as a Childminder for a minimum of two years following receipt of the grant. |
1. For the purpose of the CMDG, a successful applicant may be approved 1 grant only, subject to the maximum eligible expenditure referred to above.
2. Childminders may re-apply after 2 years, or after a shorter period if their first childminding development grant was for less than the maximum amount (this will be confirmed in the ‘Childcare Committee Confirmation of Childminder Details’ section of the application form).
3. The application for CMDG funding should be completed on the standard application form and submitted to Meath County Childcare Committee.
4. Where a Childminder is subject to the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 they must register their service with Tusla. (this will be confirmed in the ‘Childcare Committee Confirmation of Childminder Details’ section of the application form)
5. On the part of the applicant Childminder, no purchases should be made until grant approval notification is received from Meath County Childcare Committee.
6. The Childminder is required to submit itemised original receipts for eligible expenditure only for items that were approved in their application.
7. The Childminder is required to submit a copy of their insurance policy.
8. The Childminder is required to submit a copy of their Children First E-Learning programme certificate. (www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme.)
9. All grant approvals will be subject to a letter of agreement signed by the Childminder with Meath County Childcare Committee (sample letter of agreement attached at appendix 1).
10. If a successful applicant ceases to childmind within two years of receipt of grant aid, Meath County Childcare Committee may take the necessary steps to recoup the funding in accordance with the letter of agreement with the Childminder.
What can the grant be used for?
The grant can be used for the purchase of small capital items such as items to enhance safety/quality in the service; equipment; toys or minor adaptation costs to improve the quality of service provided. The final decision on eligible capital items will be at the discretion of Meath County Childcare Committee. The following list (which is not exhaustive) gives examples of the different types of costs that are eligible and not eligible for the grant (please consult with your local Childcare Committee if you have queries in relation to eligibility).
Eligible Equipment
Safety items – fire blanket, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, socket covers, cupboard locks, first aid kit, stair gate, fireguard, car seat etc.
Childcare equipment - changing table / mat, sterilizer, double/single buggy, high chair, cot, sturdy child sized table & chairs, booster seat, step up stools, potty, bedding, car seat, foot operated bin, storage etc.
Indoor/outdoor play equipment - swing, slide, climbing frame, sand box & water tray, ride on toys, building blocks, art & craft supplies, books, appropriate toys for various age groups, etc.
Minor adaptations – fencing, gates, painting, flooring, developing a changing area/ outdoor play space etc.
Please Note:
Ensure that all equipment purchased complies with The EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC to ensure that equipment meets safety requirements.
Ensure that, for minor adaptions, that the person is a registered contractor.
What is not acceptable eligible equipment?
Trampolines, subscriptions, consumables, walkers, travel cot, electronic equipment including: games/consoles, IT equipment, batteries.
What is not acceptable eligible expenditure?
Delivery cost of items, second hand items, bags (packing at the shop), installation/worker labour costs, items that would be considered for home use rather than childcare use.
Please note: