Setting Up a Childcare Business
Setting-Up a Childcare Business
Cavan Childcare Committee, provides an information and support service to Early Year’s (Childcare) Services and those interested in setting-up a Childcare Business.
The Childcare Development Officer, will provide relevant information to you by phone, email or in a face to face meeting.
Phone and Email Consultations provide general set-up information, i.e. an overview of the Registration Process, Planning and Fire Safety Requirements, Insurance Requirements, Garda Vetting, Information on Qualification Requirements and Training Opportunities. Information will also be provided on the Childcare Schemes (ECCE, CCS and TEC) and how to apply to enter these schemes.
Face to Face Meetings – when meeting with those interested in setting-up a Childcare Business, we will go through the above information in more detail. This discussion will also include guidance on conducting a ‘needs analysis’ to assess if there is a need for the type of service you are proposing, in the area you have chosen.
Registration with Tusla
Questions frequently asked to the Registration Department of Tusla Early Years Inspectorate
Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care Settings: Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. Find out more information here: Universal Design Guidelines
Types of Childcare Services
Please note that under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) 2006, the term pre-school service, refers to all categories of Early Years (Childcare) Services, which cater for children under 6 years of age/not yet in Primary School, and a Pre-School Child, refers to all children under 6 years of age/not yet in Primary School.
A Pre-School service which may include an overnight service offered by a person who single-handedly takes care of pre-school children, including the childminder’s own children, in the childminder’s home for a total of more than 2 hours per day, except when the exemptions in Section 58 of the Child Care Act 1991 apply.
A Pre-School Service offering a planned programme to pre-school children for a total of not more than 3.5 hours per session. Services covered by the above definition may include Pre-schools, Playgroups, Creches, Montessori, Naíonraí, Notifiable Childminders or similar services which generally cater for pre-school children.
A Pre-School service offering a structured day care service for pre-school children for more than 3.5 hours and less than 5 hours per day. Services covered by the above definition may include Pre-schools, Playgroups, Crèches, Montessori, Naíonraí, Notifiable Childminders or similar services which generally cater for pre-school children.
A Pre-School Service offering a structured day care service for Pre-School children for more than 5 hours per day. Services such as those currently described as day nurseries and crèches are included in this definition.
A Pre-School Service offering day care which is used exclusively on an intermittent basis. This refers to a service, where a pre-school child is cared for over a period of not more than two hours, while the parent or guardian is availing of a service or attending an event. Such services are mainly located in shopping centres, leisure centres or other establishments as part of customer/client service.
A Pre-School Service offering day care exclusively on a temporary basis. This refers to a service, where a pre-school child is cared for while the parent or guardian is attending a once-off event such as a conference or a sports event.
A service in which Pre-School children are taken care of for a total of more than 2 hours between the hours of 7pm and 6am, except where the exemptions provided in Section 58 of the Child Care Act 1991 apply.
Planning Requirements
The Planning Department of Cavan City & County Council, will advise on the planning requirements, depending on the proposed premises. In this regard a pre-planning meeting will highlight any issue which may arise.
Planning Permission is required:
- To develop any land or property, this includes the carrying out of works such as building, demolition, alteration or the making of any material changes in use of the land or structure
- To change the use of an existing residence or building to become a childcare facility
The Department of the Environment and Local Government, developed ‘Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ to support the Planning Authorities in assessing applications for Childcare Facilities.
Qualification Requirements
