Myth: A childminder will replace the parent/s in a child’s affection
Fact: Some parents, especially mothers returning to work after maternity leave, have concerns that a childminder will form a closer bond to the child than they do which adds to the emotional concerns of leaving a young child. The reality is that childminders understand that a child’s relationship with parent/s is paramount and are never seeking to replace them.

Childminders have experience of working in partnership with parents and have a key role to play in supporting smooth transitions between the home and the childminder setting and attachment with the child. The likelihood is that a professional bond will grow between the family and the childminder over time which supports all involved and ensures better outcomes for children.
Childminding Ireland has joined forces with four leading childminding organisations within the United Kingdom and Ireland to launch a campaign that dispels some controversial childminding myths. It is important that parents are aware of the facts when choosing a childcare provider that suits their family needs.
Here are some common childminding myths which this campaign is striving to dispel:
- Childminders are just babysitters, children just play and don’t learn as much with a childminder
- Childminders can look after as many children as they want at any one time
- Childminding is only for women
- A childminder works for me (the parent)
- Childminders are uninsured
Join the campaign today to help give childminding the recognition it deserves. To follow the campaign on social media, use #ChildcareChampions #ChildmindingVoices.
Click here to view the video explaining this myth.
Click here for the brochure which dispels this common myth.
Click here for the press release relating to the campaign.