HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire an after-school club in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
An after-school care in Ireland costs €12–€22 per session, typically around €16. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
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THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring an after-school club in five steps
- Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — structured Activities — engaging children in structured activities is a key component of after-school care.
- How does caregiver's experience change the price?Experience buys you fewer mistakes as much as faster work. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does services offered change the price?It moves the price in both directions depending on the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does number of children being cared for change the price?Each one still has to be done properly, however many there are. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Snack and Meal Preparation — many after-school care programs provide healthy snacks or meals for children — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a after-school club job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration
The childminding regulations apply only to a childminder caring for children in the CHILDMINDER'S OWN HOME.
Search the Tusla register of childminding services for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. tusla.ie →
Where the rules stand now
A childminder caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children, and 6 or fewer children in total, remains exempt for the transitional period. Registration becomes mandatory from September 2027. Registration is not yet mandatory for every childminder. Ask whether this childminder is registered, and if not, whether they fall inside the transitional exemption — both answers are legitimate in 2026.
Ask where they are in the process, and when they expect to be registered — the date is September 2027 either way. tusla.ie →
Garda vetting
National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 The regulation requiring vetting of household members aged 16 and over commenced on 1 February 2025. Vetting is carried out through a relevant organisation, not by a parent directly. Ask to see the disclosure the childminder holds.
Ask to see the garda vetting letter itself, with its date on it — not a statement that one exists.
Insurance
Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — structured Activities — engaging children in structured activities is a key component of after-school care.
A good answer: Experience buys you fewer mistakes as much as faster work. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It moves the price in both directions depending on the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Each one still has to be done properly, however many there are. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Snack and Meal Preparation — many after-school care programs provide healthy snacks or meals for children — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a after-school club job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — homework Assistance — after-school care often includes helping children with their homework.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the after-school club starts, and an itemised invoice after — supervised Free Play — children are given time to play freely under supervision, allowing them to build social skills and develop friendships.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They are not on the Tusla register of childminding services, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
- They will not talk about it: caregiver's experience — experience buys you fewer mistakes as much as faster work
- They will not talk about it: services offered — it moves the price in both directions depending on the job
- They will not talk about it: number of children being cared for — each one still has to be done properly, however many there are
- A price for the after-school club before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
What an after-school club costs: €12–€22 per session
The figures are for the job, per session, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Homework assistance and Recreational activities each carry their own band. After-School Care price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
After-school clubs near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstCaregiver's experience — experience buys you fewer mistakes as much as faster work — that is what the after-school club is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneServices offered — it moves the price in both directions depending on the job — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfNumber of children being cared for — each one still has to be done properly, however many there are — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherComplexity of the activities offered — anything bespoke takes longer to plan before it is made — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the after-school club is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, location of the service — where you are decides which providers can reach you at all.
- Homework Assistance
- After-school care often includes helping children with their homework.
- Snack and Meal Preparation
- Many after-school care programs provide healthy snacks or meals for children.
- Structured Activities
- Engaging children in structured activities is a key component of after-school care.
- Recreational Activities
- Providers organise sports, games, and other fun activities to keep children active and engaged after school.
- Arts and Crafts
- This includes creative projects that allow children to express themselves while developing fine motor skills.
- Snack Preparation
- Care providers often prepare healthy snacks for children, promoting good nutrition and social interaction during meal times.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring an after-school club: questions people ask
The cost of after-school care can vary based on location, the caregiver's experience, and the services offered. Additional activities, such as transportation or specialised tutoring, may also contribute to higher rates.
After-school care sessions usually last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the needs of the parents and the program's schedule. Some providers may offer flexible hours to accommodate different family situations.
While a general caregiver can provide after-school care, hiring someone with experience in childcare or education can enhance the experience. For specific needs, such as tutoring in specialised subjects, a qualified specialist may be beneficial.
Many after-school care providers offer emergency or same-day services, but availability can vary. It's advisable to check with providers in advance to understand their policies and potential additional fees.
Yes, many after-school care providers offer packages that include multiple services, such as homework help and meal preparation. Booking multiple services may also provide cost savings.
After-school care typically does not include medical care, overnight supervision, or transportation beyond school and home. It's important to clarify the scope of services with your provider beforehand.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in childcare & family
After-school clubs near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- Tusla — childminding registration opened 30 September 2024
- Tusla — childminding services FAQs
- Department of Children — new regulations for childminding
- National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — CHILDMINDING (Children and education) — Exempt
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only