Two publications setting out guidelines for childcare providers were launched yesterday by Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan.
The two publications, National Guidelines for Childminders and Diversityand Equality Guidelines for Childcare Providers, were unveiled at a childcare seminar in Dublin.
The first, aimed at childminders who care for small groups of children of mixed ages in their own home, details the requirements for childminders and provides guidelines of good childminding practice, as well as information regarding the supports available to childminders.
Mr Lenihan said the Government always acknowledged the "importance and efficiency" of childminding, which is why the tax exemption for childminders was increased in Budget 2007.
The new measure means that a childminder minding up to three children other than their own in their own home can now earn €15,000 a year in childminding income before paying tax. Mr Lenihan said childminders are crucial to the childcare sector as they provide an estimated 70 per cent of childcare for parents in Ireland.
The childminding guidelines also outline which childminders are legally obliged to notify the HSE that they are providing a childcare service, while also providing details of how to make a voluntary notification.
Voluntary notification, made a condition of the tax exemption for income from childminding in last year's budget, allows childminders access to a range of supports. Mr Lenihan said that while almost 500 childminders voluntarily notified their services since Budget 2006, he is hopeful that this number will increase as a result of the increased threshold for the exemption.
It is hoped the Diversity and Equality Guidelines for Childcare Providers can encourage the development of services that are inclusive of all children and their families. Mr Lenihan said the guidelines will raise awareness of the changes that may need to be made "to respond positively to difference".
Elsewhere, Childminding Ireland gave a "reserved welcome" to the increase in tax relief for childminders. They said the relief should have been based on net profit which would increase supply and encourage better quality childminding services. Labour Senator Kathleen O'Meara also criticised the childcare measures, saying that the Minister for Finance had failed to build on progress made last year.