It is underpaid, undervalued, unappreciated - but childminding doesn't have to be such a lonely occupation anymore. Certainly not in Galway, if the first initiative of its type in the State bears fruit.
Galway City and County Childcare Committee has been undertaking a review of childcare services throughout the region, while also ensuring there is a far more supportive environment for people interested in pursuing the profession. And it is a profession, in the view of Ms Mary Giblin and her colleagues, who are determined to ensure that it is acknowledged as such.
A mobile "playbus" service, a new toy and book resource centre and a pilot "cluster" of childminders working from home are some of the initiatives planned by the committee, which is based on the Tuam Road in Galway city. It is encouraging those involved at every level to register and avail of grant schemes and of projects drawn up by the committee.
"We are not into penalising those who don't want to, but there are benefits from being part of a network," Ms Giblin says. "And it should be noted that not one service has been closed down in Galway by the health board. We are trying to provide more childcare, not less."
One of the projects is a pilot scheme in which a number of minders work at home, providing mutual support and back-up in an emergency. "The minder in the home can be very isolated, while bearing a major responsibility. And she has no backup if she needs it. A cluster would provide for that."
The "playbus" concept comes from Britain, but was suggested by a Traveller parent who had experienced one in London. Two double-decker buses are being fitted out to provide a mobile childcare service in isolated areas of Connemara where there are no playgroups or creches, and around Traveller halting sites.
Brightly painted inside and out, the buses have a play area for 10 children upstairs, and a meeting area/training space downstairs. The buses are funded by the Western Health Board, while staffing will be supported by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which administers the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme. The resource library of toys and books was put together by the Galway committee. It is aimed primarily at parents working in the home, community groups and children with additional requirements.
Given the demand for more flexible working arrangements, the committee has been talking to employers. "There are people working part-time who have to pay for full-time places just to ensure that their children have care," Ms Giblin says.
The committee is at 9b, Liosban Centre, Tuam Road, Galway, telephone (091) 752039 or mail@galwaychildcare.com