Home-based education and care services are defined as those that provide education or care, for profit, to children who are under the age of 5 years or who are 5 years of age but not enrolled in school. The service is provided in the child’s own home, the home of the person providing the education or care, or any other home nominated by the child’s parents or guardians.

 

Objectives and accessibility

Children from birth until the age of 5 years old may attend home-based care, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance.

After the age of 5 years, home-based provision applies only to children with special needs who are not able to attend a kindergarten.

Requirements for childminders and child ratios

To practise as a childminder in Cyprus, one needs to register as a childminder with the Department of Social Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance. A childminder in Cyprus may look after up to three infants (up to 2 years old) or six children aged 2–6 years.

Any childminder caring for or intending to care for children should apply to the Director of Social Welfare Services for registration. On receipt of such an application, the Director, subject to the provisions of the Children Law 1956 (Chapter 352, Section 28) and the Children (Amendment) Law 2014 (Ν.181(Ι)/2014), registers all people who, for reward, receive into their homes children under the age of 6 years to be looked after as aforesaid.