HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire mother's help in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A mother's help in Ireland costs €13–€20 per hour, 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.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring mother's help 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 — errands and Shopping — many Mother's Helps are also willing to run errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up supplies for the household.
- How does experience level of the helper change the price?Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does specific tasks required change the price?The option you choose is the part of the quote you control. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does number of hours required change the price?The first hour costs more than the ones after it. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Childcare Support — A Mother's Help can assist with childcare duties like supervising playtime, helping with homework, or taking children to and from school — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a mother's help 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 — errands and Shopping — many Mother's Helps are also willing to run errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up supplies for the household.
A good answer: Skill shows in the parts of the job you never see. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The option you choose is the part of the quote you control. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The first hour costs more than the ones after it. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Childcare Support — A Mother's Help can assist with childcare duties like supervising playtime, helping with homework, or taking children to and from school — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a mother's help 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 — household Tasks — mother's Help often includes light household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the mother's help starts, and an itemised invoice after — new Baby Support — provides assistance to new parents by caring for older siblings or helping with household tasks.
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: experience level of the helper — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see
- They will not talk about it: specific tasks required — the option you choose is the part of the quote you control
- They will not talk about it: number of hours required — the first hour costs more than the ones after it
- A price for the mother's help 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 mother's help costs: €13–€20 per hour
Most mother's helps quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Childcare assistance and Meal preparation each carry their own band. Mother's Help 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
Mother's helps 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, or book by the hour.
- Look firstExperience level of the helper — skill shows in the parts of the job you never see — that is what the mother's help is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneSpecific tasks required — the option you choose is the part of the quote you control — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfNumber of hours required — the first hour costs more than the ones after it — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherSpecific needs of your family — the style chosen can double the hours on the same job — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the mother's help is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, location — travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted.
- Household Tasks
- Mother's Help often includes light household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation.
- Childcare Support
- A Mother's Help can assist with childcare duties like supervising playtime, helping with homework, or taking children to and from school.
- Errands and Shopping
- Many Mother's Helps are also willing to run errands, such as grocery shopping or picking up supplies for the household.
- Meal Preparation
- Includes preparing healthy meals and snacks for children, catering to dietary needs.
- Homework Support
- Assists children with their homework and educational activities to enhance learning.
- Light Housekeeping
- Covers basic household tasks such as tidying up, laundry, and cleaning up after meals.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring mother's help: questions people ask
The cost of a Mother's Help can vary based on factors such as location, the experience level of the helper, and the specific tasks required. Generally, more experienced helpers or those with specialised skills may charge higher rates.
Mother's Help services can vary in duration, with sessions typically ranging from 2 to 5 hours. The specific length often depends on the family's needs and the tasks to be completed.
Generally, a Mother's Help does not require specialised qualifications unless specific tasks necessitate them, such as first aid or special needs care. Most helpers are trained in general childcare and household management.
Same-day availability for Mother's Help can be limited, as many providers require advance notice to schedule their services. However, some may offer last-minute options depending on their availability.
Yes, many Mother's Help providers are open to taking on multiple related tasks during a single session, such as combining childcare with household chores. It's best to discuss your specific needs when booking.
Tasks that are generally out of scope for a Mother's Help include specialised medical care, heavy cleaning, or repairs requiring licensed professionals, such as electrical or plumbing work. It's important to clarify task boundaries when hiring.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in childcare & family
Mother's helps 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