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Some childcare options may be distinguished simply by their opening hours or management structures, and others by the curriculum of education that they use. You can read more about early childhood education. Staff training can also determine the type of service available, as can the general needs of parents in your area. Different types of childcare services include:

Full day care
This is a structured care service for more than 5 hours per day and may include a sessional service. Providers care for children from 3 months to 6 years. Some may also include an after-school facility. In full day care, sleeping arrangements and food preparation must meet standards laid down by the Child and Family Agency. Providers include day nurseries and crèches.

Sessional services
These services offer a planned programme consisting of up to 3.5 hours per session (such as a morning or an afternoon). Generally, they cater for children from 3 to 5 years of age. These services may also be provided for younger children. In order to provide a sessional childcare service, a recognised childcare qualification is required. Sessional services include:

• Montessori groups focus on individualised education, teaching social skills and maximising children’s development. They cater to children up to the age of 6.
• Parent and toddler groups are where a group of parents, guardians or carers and children come together for supervised play and companionship for their parents.
• Naíonraí are nursery schools or playschools operating through Irish.
• Playschools give children an opportunity to play with other children of a similar age, learn to share and take turns and to understand the rules of the classroom, such as listening.
• Early Start Programme is a one-year preventative intervention scheme offered in selected schools in designated disadvantaged areas to three- and four-year-old children.

Childminders
Childminders care for children in the minder’s own home. A childminder can care for up to 5 children under 6 years of age (including the childminder’s own). The service is usually offered for the full working day or for different periods during the day. Parents and childminders arrange their own terms and conditions.

As part of the National Childminding Initiative, childminding development grants and guidelines for childminders (pdf) are available to childminders from their local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). In addition, there is a childminder’s tax relief for people who look after up to 3 children in their own home.

Drop-in centres
A drop-in centre offers a service for short periods during the day. These centres are often provided in shopping centres, leisure centres and accommodation facilities. The service is provided as part of a customer or client service and children are looked after while the parent is availing of a service or attending an event.

School-age childcare
Services for schoolchildren can include breakfast clubs, after school clubs and school holiday programmes such as summer camps. Depending on the service, there may also be homework supervision, planned activities or a nutritious meal.

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