Choosing between a childminder and a creche is one of the biggest calls Irish parents make. Both are good options — the right choice depends on your child, your work pattern and where you live.
What is a childminder?
A childminder cares for your child in their own home, usually alongside a small number of other children (often no more than five, including their own). It's a homely setting, with more flexibility on hours than a creche.
What is a creche?
A creche is a commercial early-years service in a purpose-built or converted premises. It's Tusla-regulated, runs a structured programme (Aistear and Síolta), and groups children into rooms by age with set staff-to-child ratios.
Key differences
- Setting: home vs commercial building.
- Ratios: childminders 1:5 (mixed ages); creches 1:3 under 1, 1:5 under 2, 1:6 pre-school.
- Cost: childminders are typically €5–€8 an hour, creches €900–€1,200 a month full-time in Dublin.
- Flexibility: childminders often offer early starts, late finishes and school pick-ups; creches are 8am–6pm.
- Regulation: creches are Tusla-registered from day one; childminders are moving under Tusla registration in a 2024–2027 transition — see our registration guide.
Cost comparison (2026)
A childminder for 40 hours a week at €6/hour is about €960/month before NCS. A Dublin creche at €1,100/month before NCS lands close to the same after subsidies — the choice is rarely about pure cost.
Pros and cons
Childminder pros: homely, one carer, flexible hours, often takes siblings together. Cons: if the childminder is sick, you have no cover.
Creche pros: structured learning, socialisation, always open. Cons: strict pick-up times, more illness in the first year, higher headline fees.
When a childminder suits better
- Shift workers or parents with irregular hours
- Rural areas where creche places are limited
- Very young babies where you want a home setting
- Families with multiple children of different ages
When a creche suits better
- You want ECCE and a structured pre-school programme
- Your child benefits from lots of social interaction
- You need guaranteed cover — no reliance on one person
Can you use NCS with a childminder?
Yes — as long as the childminder is Tusla-registered. During the 2024–2027 transition, more childminders are joining the register each month.
How to find each on Crechely
Search Tusla-verified creches by county, or browse and post requests to childminders & nannies in your area — all in one platform.