Register as a childminder (Northern Ireland)
Contact your local Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) to apply for registration as a childminder, or to provide day care services.
You must register to look after children:
- under 12 for more than 2 hours a day
- you鈥檙e not related to
- in a private home
- if you鈥檙e running any type of day care service that鈥檚 not charging money, such as a playscheme or out-of-school club
All the adults living or working at the home where you鈥檙e based must also register.
You do not have to register to do babysitting.
Before you start
Read more information in .
What happens next
Once you鈥檝e submitted your application, the HSCT will:
- ask you to attend an information session
- check your references
- carry out checks on you with your doctor, your council and the
- do checks on anyone else who will be living or working at the home
- inspect the home
Getting your registration
If you鈥檙e approved, you will receive a certificate that shows you鈥檙e a registered childminder. This usually takes between 2 and 3 months.
Displaying your certificate
You must keep your certificate of registration - or a copy of it - where it can be easily seen.
Fines and penalties
If you do not register as a childminder, you can be fined 拢5,000, sent to prison, or both.