When you have young children it's not a case of if you have a breakdown in your usual childcare but when.

A popular, cost-effective childcare option

The HSE estimates that up to 50,000 families rely on childminders in Ireland. It's a highly popular, affordable childcare solution - and this is equally true for emergency childcare.

Childminders are self-employed and therefore free to set their own rates on this website. These generally range from €6 to €12 per hour, which is well within the budgets of most households.

Leaving your child in safe hands

All Irish childminders registered with Emergency Childcare must be HSE-notified. They will therefore have met the following stringent criteria:

• Garda vetted
• First Aid trained
• Suitably trained and/or experienced in childcare.

The majority of childminders and nurseries you'll find on our website have already been used and recommended by other parents. If you have a preferred childminder that's not yet registered with us, please let us know and we'll sign them up.

Preparing for life's little emergencies

We'll help you book a childminder through our nationwide network - ideal for when you need additional childcare due to work commitments.

We advise parents who register with us to do a little research, so when you do need to use us you know exactly who your local childminders are.

• Search for their local childminders (and nurseries)
• Save favourite childminders for future reference
• Arrange to visit any childminders they're interested in
• Suggest other childminders they'd like to join
• Book a childminder space when it's needed