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Starting your toddler in childcare

Choosing the right playgroup or nursery school

Before your toddler starts at playgroup or nursery, you need to establish exactly what your child care needs are, so as you can find the right place for your child.

Do you for instance, work unusual hours; or do you only require part-time care? Do you prefer care provided in a home setting or within a larger nursery? Or would a live-in nanny suit your schedule and your finances better?

Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Childcare fees are high and different providers include different options within their fee structure.

Once you’ve decided what you need, and have chosen the right childcare provider, book your child in as soon as possible. Childcare spaces fill up extremely quickly and are in high demand in Southern Ireland.

Preparing for the first experience of childcare

Start discussing what childcare will mean with your child; explaining how many exciting things will happen and what fun it will be.

Other issues you may need to consider are that your child may need to be taken to and from childcare, and you may be going back to work – so work out your family’s new daily schedule. What time will you need to wake your child, and how much time will you need to get yourself and your child ready?

Ask your child for feedback

After your child has started childcare, talk and find out what their experiences have been. What aspects are fun, and what aspects are disliked? Have they made any friends, and what goes on during the day? It’s only by listening to what your child says that you can be sure you’ve made the correct childcare choice.

Need more information?

Visit Ireland’s National Childcare Directory for a good list of childcare services in Southern Ireland.