One in 10 childminders aged over 55
The survey, carried out by Child minding Ireland on its members, found that 11% of carers are minding a child with special needs.
The survey of just under 1,000 members, representing the only snapshot available of the experience of childminders in Ireland, found that just one per cent of carers surveyed had no childcare qualifications.
The survey also revealed significant variances in fees for child-minding with €155 being the average national weekly rate for a full-time place. Costs of childcare range from €100 to €300 a week, while the average part-time rate is €6.20 an hour.
The majority of childminders who looked after siblings offered a discount of about 20% for the second and subsequent child.
First aid training is the most popular with 81% having a first-aid qualification, compared to 43% in 2006. More than a third of those surveyed have training in special needs.
The survey found almost seven out of 10 child-minders are registered for tax and more than 40% avail of the childminders’ tax relief.
The survey also revealed that more that 36% have applied for Garda vetting and a further 41% intend applying to be vetted.
Childminding Ireland manager Bernie Griffith said all new members would be given a sample contract that can be adapted to their own work, and a support pack.
Ms Griffith was surprised at the number of childminders who are tax compliant.
“While being tax compliant does not always mean that childminders are having to pay tax, it does allow them to make a PRSI contribution that will enable them to have a contributory pension,” she pointed out.
The survey was released in advance of National Childminding Week.
* Minister for Children Brendan Smith will launch Childminding Week in Dublin on Tuesday.
Details of what is happening around the country can be found on Childminding Ireland’s website at www.childminding.ie
