Childminder

Every natural person is eligible to register at the Child Minders Registry, provided that Social Welfare Services is satisfied that he/she meets the following criteria:

• Is 18 years of age and above and does not exceed the age of retirement as defined in the Social Insurance Law, as may be amended or replaced;
• is a secondary school graduate;
• Is of good health and be able to submit a health certificate for each member of his/her family;
• Has knowledge and experience in child care;
• Has such personal characteristics, habits and abilities to satisfy the Director of the Social Welfare Services that he/she can provide appropriate emotional, mental and social support to children;
• The ability of the applicant and all registered Child Minders is evaluated by a three-member Assessment Committee, designated by the Director, with predetermined terms of reference that include specific benchmarks on issues related to the experience, abilities and skills as to the object of the work of childminder;
• The suitability of the premises and equipment;
• meets the provisions of the relevant legislation.

A child-minder may look after up to three infants (up to two years old) or six children, aged two to six years old. The child-minder’s children or grandchildren, of the same age range, are included in this figure.

The Application form for the Registration of a Child-Minder, can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the competent authority, by district, according to the list below:

Nicosia District Social Welfare Office
Agiou Ilarionos 66,
1026 Kaimakli, Nicosia
Tel: +357 22804605, +357 22804607
Email. : nikosia.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy

Limassol District Social Welfare Office
Franklin Roosevelt 80,
3012 Limassol
Tel: +357 25804523, +357 25804452
Email. : lemesos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy

Larnaca Provincial Social Welfare Office
Peliou 23-25, G. Matthaiou Court,
6301 Larnaca
Tel: +357 24800101, +357 24800260
Email. : larnaca.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy

Pafos District Social Welfare Office
17 Nikou Nikolaidis,
8010 Paphos
Tel: +357 26821601, +357 26821600
Email. : pafos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy

Ammochostos District Social Welfare Office
1 April 170, 5280
Paralimni
Tel: +357 23811741
Email. : ammochostos.dwo@sws.dmsw.gov.cy

Social Welfare Services
Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare
63 Prodromou,
1468 Nicosia
Tel.: +357 22406701, +357 22406712
Fax: +357 22667907
Email: central.sws@sws.dmsw.gov.cy
Website: http://www.dmsw.gov.cy/sws

1. The application form should be accompanied by the following documents:

   • Copy of the Child-Minder’s high-school/secondary-school diploma and other qualification certificates;
   • Copy of Identity card of the Child-Minder;
   • Original Health Certificates of the Child-Minder and the Child-Minder’s family members* (see clarification below);
   • Original Certificates of Clear Criminal Record of the Child-Minder and the Child-Minder’s family members;
   • Original Certificate by the Police in accordance with article 22 (6) of the “Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law, N. 91 (i)/2014” of the Child-Minder and the Child-Minder’s family members.

   *Original (Medical) Health Certificates: blood tests for infectious diseases (hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (anti-HCV), AIDS HIV (HIV I&II antibodies), syphilis (VDRL) and dermoreaction MANTOUX], food handler certificate (stool-sample analysis) and chest X-ray reports.

There are no fees applicable.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated for. However, such revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

• The Children Law (Cap. 352)

Registered Child-Minders are obliged to comply with the provisions of “The Children Law (Cap.352)” as periodically amended.

Any person authorized by the Director of the Social Welfare Services may at all reasonable times enter any premises which are used for childcare and may inspect the premises, the children looked after, their welfare arrangements as well as any records relating to them.