PRESS RELEASE
Minister Foley urges childminders in County Sligo to avail of equipment grant
04 February 2025
Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is today calling on all childminders in County Sligo to avail of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant.
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
In 2024, the grants Childminders in County Sligo received assisted them in enhancing the quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) education. The grant was also used for the purchase of IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The grant scheme is open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
Making today’s announcement, Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2025 Childminding Development Grant as one of the first actions in my term of office as Minister.
“Childminders play an essential part in the provision of childcare in all parts of the country, and I am fully committed to recognising and supporting their important role, and to following through on the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.
“I encourage childminders in County Sligo to avail of this funding opportunity, whether they are already registered or would like support in advance of registration over the next couple of years.
“The Childminding Development Grant provides funding for quality and safety equipment and can also be used to contribute to IT equipment.”
The total budget of €500,000 reflects the high demand for the grant in previous years. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to support childminders to prepare for registration with Tusla. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, regulations written specifically for childminders came into effect for the first time in September 2024, making it possible for all childminders to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
Those childminders who were previously exempt from regulation have a three-year transition period until 2027 during which they are now able to register with Tusla but are not yet required to do so.
For further information about the Childminding Development Grant or the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, visit www.gov.ie/childminding or contact your local City or County Childcare Committee.
Sharon Boles from Sligo County Childcare Committee, said:
“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Childminding Development Grant over previous years has been a significant benefit to many childminders, enhancing the quality services they provide to children and families in County Sligo.
“Any childminder with any questions about applying for this year’s grant is welcome to contact us on 071 9148860 or email sligochildcare@gmail.com.”
Applications for the 2025 Childminding Development Grant opened on Tuesday, 4 February and will close on Friday, 4 April.
ENDS
Childminding Development Grant 2025
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. The 2025 application process opened on the 5th of February 2025 and will close on the 4th April 2025; to receive an application form. please email developmentofficer@sligochildcare.ie
Or download the application form and supporting documents below
What funding is available under the Childminders Development Grant?
A grant of up to €1,000 is available to an eligible childminder. All childminders can apply for the full Childminding Development Grant every year. However, if the CMDG national budget is oversubscribed, an applicant may receive a lesser amount than applied for (see section on Oversubscription Procedure). Successful applicants are paid 75% of the grant in advance. Following submission and approval of the CMDG Expenditure Report and receipts for the full amount granted, the remaining 25% is paid to the childminder.
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
All existing or potential childminders.
What is not acceptable expenditure?
This is a list of examples of ineligible expenditure. If in any doubt, contact your local
City/County Childcare Committee
Minor adaptations or minor works to the house
Painting, decorating, flooring etc.
Redecorating playroom e.g., painting, flooring etc.
Adult-sized tables/chairs/couches for the house and/or playroom.
Dehumidifiers.
Specialist medical equipment such as defibrillators.
Trampolines; bouncy castles; above-ground swimming pools/framed swimming pools.
Outdoor safety mats/matting.
Electric outdoor toys such as electric cars.
Concreted areas.
Polytunnels.
Subscriptions; memberships and registrations.
Baby walkers.
Travel cots and/or travel cot mattress and travel sheets (see FAQs for further details).
Games consoles.
Second hand items (apart from refurbished IT items as per guidelines).
Insurance and/or other business expenses.
Training and Continuous Professional Development courses.
Any items that would be considered for mainly home use only e.g. T.V, vacuum, air – fryer,
water hose, cooking equipment, steam cleaners, bins.
Outdoor heaters.
Office equipment and consumables e.g. tables and chairs, printer ink etc.
Software for computers.
What can the grant be used for?
Eligible Spend
1 Outdoor Areas: Sand box; water tray; swing sets; slides; outdoor play equipment; natural outdoor surfacing such as grass or bark/mulch; outdoor fencing; drainage of outdoor areas; storage for outdoor equipment.
Note: Repeat applications for items with a long life span such as storage, and large play equipment such as swing sets, climbing frames, outdoor fencing etc. can only be made once every 5 years (see FAQ document for further details).
2 Risky Play Climbable features such as crawling up and down ramps, wall-bars or a climbing wall; balance ropes with a handrail; stepping stones; timber structures. Loose part materials to develop dens and huts e.g., boxes, sheets, and wooden planks etc.
Note: Repeat applications for items with a long life span such as wall bars, climbing walls and ramps can only be made once every 5 years (see FAQ document for further details).
3 Gardening area Gardening materials e.g., plants, herbs, trees, shrubs, soil; materials for the development of flower and herb beds; rakes; shovels; wheelbarrow; watering cans; buckets; spades; gardening gloves etc.
Note: Most of the gardening equipment should bechild sized. Equipment such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers etc. will not be funded (see FAQ document for further details).
4 Toys & Books Developmentally and culturally appropriate toys and books; ride on toys; building blocks; books; dress-up; teddys/dolls/figurines; music; imaginative play items; jigsaws; board games; arts & crafts materials and supplies etc.
5 Childcare & Safety Equipment: Pram; buggy; car seats/booster seats; cot, mattress and linen, including foldable cots (see FAQs for further details); highchair and booster seats; stairgate; fire blanket; fire extinguishers; smoke alarms; carbon monoxide alarms; indoor storage; cupboard locks; first aid kit; blind cord safety clips;etc.
6 Supporting Inclusion: Sensory toys & equipment e.g., black out tent, theraputty, chewlery, weighted blanket; trikes & ride on toys; fidget toys; move and sit cushions; supplies to create a sensory garden, etc.
7 IT Equipment Funding is available for a limited range of small-scale IT equipment such as laptops, tablets, combined printer, copier, scanner to support Tusla registration and participation in e-Learning.
Note 1: The maximum grant for IT equipment is €500.
Note 2: Repeat applications for IT equipment can only be made once every 3 years (see FAQ document forfurther details).
Note 3: Refurbished items are allowable under the IT Equipment section. A receipt of purchase and proof of warranty will be required (see FAQ document forfurther details).
8 STEAM
Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Mathematics):
Science : Light box ; microscope; telescope; etc.
Technology: Coding Kits; robot kit; robotic arms; snap electric circuits; cameras; hydraulics; etc.
Engineering: Toolbox; stem construction kit; Lego; Lego technic; magnets, etc.
Arts: Music & Literature; musical instruments; easels; painting tools and accessories; playdough & accessories; arts and crafts supplies; speakers; lights, etc.
Mathematics: Magnet tiles; IQ puzzle games; mathematic games; Rubik’s cubes/tower; measuring equipment, etc.
Other allowable expenditure Delivery costs
Specialist installation costs e.g., wired mains fire alarm/ ground works to install a shed/outdoor climbing frame, outdoor fencing, drainage of outdoor areas.
If I previously received a CMDG can I apply for one now?
You can apply for it even if you received
the grant in 2024.
Where do I get more information?
For further information on Childminding Development Grant please contact Sligo County Childcare Committee on 07191-48860 or email developmentofficer@sligochildcare.ie