Choosing Childcare

Choosing suitable childcare is a very important decision for all parents.
As parents, you know more about your child than any other person, and when choosing a child care service, you will want a service which will meet your child’s individual needs.

Click here for Choosing Childcare Booklet. This booklet is designed to explain the different types of childcare options and assist you in making an informed choice that suits both you and your child/children.

Childcare Services in Waterford City

All Childcare Services  in Waterford City  fall within  one of the  following categories  which  are in keeping with national definitions of types of childcare services.

1.       Sessional Services – Services which offer a planned programme, 3.5 hours or less per session.

Services covered by this definition may include pre-schools, playgroups, crèches, montessori pre- schools, Naíonraí, notifiable childminders or similar services which generally cater for children in 0-6 age range.

2.      Part-time Service – Services which offer a planned programme between 3.5 and 5 hours.

Services covered under this definition may include a sessional pre-school service for pre-school children not  attending the part-time day care service. The service must provide the same physical environment including rest, play and sanitary facilities as for full day services.

3.       Full Day Care Service – Day care services for pre-school children for more than 5 hours

Services covered under this definition are those offering a structured full day service for children which may include a part-time service and a sessional service also.

4.       Childminder  – People who mind children for all or part of a day in the childminders home.

Childminders who care for up to 5 children are legally required to notify their service to Health Service   Executive   and   they   receive   an   inspection   from   the   Pre-school   Services   Officer.

5.      School Age Childcare Services

School Age childcare services provide care on a sessional or part-time basis for school aged children outside the normal school hours. Some of the services described in 1,2 and 3 above also provide services for school age children.

According  to the  Pre-School   Service   Regulations  Childcare  (Amendment) Act 2007 childcare providers providing the above services up to age 6 years are required to notify in writing the Health Services Executive (HSE) prior to opening a service.

However, please note that under this 2007 Act school age services and voluntary notified childminders are not yet  required to notify the HSE.

Please contact us if you require a Directory of Services, which includes Créches, Preschools, School age, Childminders and Parent & Toddler Groups.