Interview with Miriam O’Regan by Lara Hughes
Championing Childminding: Miriam’s Story
After dedicating over 20 years to the childcare sector, Miriam officially retired last year, but her passion for childminding remains unwavering. Originally qualified as a secondary school teacher and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher, her career took a pivotal turn when she applied for a position as a Childminder Advisor at Wicklow County Childcare Committee (CCC). Little did she know, this role would change her life—and the landscape of childminding in Wicklow—forever.
Falling in Love with Childminders
At the start of her role, Wicklow had only 12 notified childminders. Determined to understand their world, Miriam met each one for coffee. What she discovered was a group of dedicated, skilled, and loving caregivers. Miriam explains. ‘I fell in love with childminders!’ Inspired by them, she helped local childminders navigate the system and personally assisted many new childminders in setting up their businesses. One such childminder, surprised by Miriam’s phone call in response to an ad in the local shop, ended up becoming her ‘guinea pig’ as they figured out the process together. Another former childminder, Bernie Byrne, recently retired from Childminding Ireland, also benefited from her mentorship.
Miriam’s ability to build strong relationships transformed the sector. By the time she left a decade later, there were over 200 voluntary notified childminders in Wicklow – one of the highest numbers in the country.
Advancing Childminding Through Research and Advocacy
After government spending cuts led to the loss of her role in 2013, Miriam continued advocating for childminders. She worked on childcare training as a Community Employment Supervisor before shifting into academia. Completing both an M.Phil and a Ph.D., she focused her research on childminding, identifying gaps in policy and practice. Her work provides crucial insights that policymakers can use to shape the future of childminding in Ireland.
She firmly believes that childminding is an organic and natural form of childcare that has existed for over a century. While professional development is important, she opposes any rigid requirements such as a Level 5 childcare qualification for all childminders, arguing it could exclude highly skilled and experienced caregivers.
What Makes a Great Childminder?
For Miriam, great mothers often make great childminders. A love for children and an ability to nurture them as if they were their own are essential. But successful childminders also have strong business acumen, maintaining good relationships with parents and building networks for themselves.
Advice for Childminders
- Engage with the system—help shape it for the better.
- Connect with fellow childminders and organisations like Childminding Ireland and your local CCC.
- Seek reliable advice on regulations and supports.
- The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides a stable income—issues exist, but they can be resolved.
- If you want training, pursue it—training designed by childminders for childminders would be ideal.
Miriam admires models from other countries, particularly France, where new childminders receive two home visits prior to opening—one from a fellow childminder with a decade of experience. She sees value in this peer-led support system.
The Evolution of Childminding
Over the years, Miriam has noticed a significant shift in how childminders perceive themselves. Once hesitant to call themselves childminders, they are more self-assured and articulate about their role. Gone are the days of saying, “I just mind a couple of kids from down the road.” More and more, childminding is a conscious career choice rather than something individuals fall into.
However, she remains concerned about the growing bureaucracy. She hopes the system remains simple and flexible, allowing childminders to register and collectively advocate for improvements.
A Heartwarming Moment
One particular moment encapsulated the warmth of childminding for Miriam. While interviewing a childminder, a young child sat comfortably on her lap. As the visit ended, Miriam hugged the childminder and said her goodbyes, only to hear the little girl burst into tears—she hadn’t received a hug! Miriam quickly returned to embrace her, a small but powerful reminder of the love and security childminders provide.
