Welcome to Watershed Care Services Ireland

Flexible, personalised and reliable child care services across Dublin, delivered by Garda-vetted, insured carers trained in paediatric first aid.

About Watershed Care Services

With 60+ years’ combined experience across healthcare, education, home care and professional services, we brings real-world know-how to support families. Our mission is to raise the standard of child care in Ireland, by offering compassionate, consistent, and centred on your needs.

We offer Dublin families trusted child care services for full-time, part-time, after-school and ad-hoc cover, so your child gets consistent and nurturing care wherever your child needs it the most. Our Care plans are person centred, so they are tailored to your child’s routines, preferences and goals, not one-size-fits-all.

Unlike a traditional nanny agency, Watershed directly hires your home child carer as a member of our team. We take on the responsibility for recruitment, Garda vetting, training, contracts, payroll and ongoing support. Our matching process is detailed and rigorous, but personalised to your family and your children’s needs.

So whether you require child care at home or at a special event, you can rely on Watershed Care Services to deliver flexible, high-quality childcare rooted in trust and personal attention.

Explore Our Services

From our personal experience, we know parents are busy, stressed, and tired of feeling like they’re doing it all alone.

We are the employer, not you. Watershed directly hires your nanny, so you avoid PAYE, PRSI, contracts, HR, and payroll headaches, while still having a consistent carer your child knows and trusts.

Unlike traditional agencies that just “match and leave,” we safeguard properly: every carer is Garda-vetted, insured, paediatric first-aid trained and completes Children First safeguarding training, with proof available.

From regular day-time care to after-school help or a one-off event, we move fast, matching most families within days and offering backup cover where possible, so you’re not stuck on a waitlist or left without childcare at the last minute.

We are focused on offering flexible in-home childcare that fits around real family life, not the other way round. Tell us what support you need, and we’ll guide you to the right option below.

Full-Time Nannies

One dedicated childcare professional providing consistent, in-home care tailored to your family’s needs. We offer both live-in and live-out nanny services, ensuring continuity, familiarity, and a stable routine for your child.
Best when: Long workdays, shift patterns or demanding schedules make child care hard and you value having one familiar carer keeping routines, development and wellbeing on track.

Part-Time Nannies

Flexible, in-home childcare from one consistent professional on set mornings, afternoons, evenings or specific days.
Best when: You don’t need full-time, but want reliable, trusted support that maintains routines and supports healthy development.

After-School Care

Trusted and reliable after school childcare and school pick-up, providing a calm, structured transition from school to home. Our carers manage school collections, snacks, homework support, and supervised wind-down time, creating a safe and settled environment until parents return.

Best when:

Work runs late and you need consistent cover between school and dinner.
Commutes don’t align with school pick-up or after-school activities.
You want consistent care and predictable afternoon rhythm.

Parent’s Help

Tailored in-home childcare and family support when an extra pair of hands is needed. Your dedicated carer can supervise play and babysitting, prepare snacks and simple meals, support bath and bedtime routines, run short local errands, and manage light child-related household tasks such as tidying play areas, dishes, and children’s laundry.

Best when:

You have an appointment, busy evenings or travel days
There are periods of increased family pressure or transition
You simply need an extra pair of steady hands at home.

Event Nanny

Professional childcare and nanny services for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. We provide age-appropriate activities, crafts, games, and supervised rest time, so adults can relax and enjoy the event. Care can be provided in homes, venues, hotels, or event spaces, with coverage tailored to the flow of the day.

Best when:

Childcare is needed during ceremonies, speeches, or dinner.
Hotel babysitting is required for adult-only events.
Family-friendly events requiring a supervised children’s area or pop-up crèche to keep little ones engaged and happy.

Night Nannies

Personalised evening or overnight newborn care to support parents. Our night nannies assist with feeds, settling, soothing, sleep routines, and light child-related housekeeping, including routine logs and morning preparation, so parents can rest and recover.

Best when:

Families seeking evening or overnight care in Ireland
Newborn nights that feel overwhelming or disrupted
Postnatal recovery, twins or multiples, or preparing for a return to work
Parents who want more predictable sleep and calmer mornings

Occasional Childcare Professionals

Professional, flexible in-home childcare for evenings, weekends, or when plans change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a date night, an appointment, or short-notice cover, we provide trusted, qualified carers who step in calmly and seamlessly to care for your children at home.

Best when:

You need evening or weekend childcare without a regular commitment
Plans change at short notice and reliable cover is essential
You want trusted, in-home care rather than ad-hoc babysitting
You value continuity, routines, and peace of mind

Our Service Areas (Dublin)

We provide trusted child care across Dublin. We provide garda-vetted, insured care givers are trained in paediatric first aid, and offer flexible and personalised services that fits your need.

North County Dublin

Swords (Mooretown, Rivervalley, Applewood, Boroimhe, Seatown)
Rolestown
Malahide
Portmarnock
Donabate & Portrane
Kinsealy
Rush & Lusk

North City & Coastal

Raheny
Clontarf
Baldoyle
Sutton
Howth

South Dublin -D18

Sandyford
Leopardstown
Foxrock
Carrickmines
Stepaside

DLR Coastal - South/East

Dalkey
Killiney
Glenageary
Sandycove

City South – D6

Ranelagh
Rathmines
Rathgar
Milltown

City South – D4

Ballsbridge
Donnybrook
Sandymount
Merrion

South Dublin - D14

Dundrum
Churchtown
Goatstown
Clonskeagh
Rathfarnham
Windy Arbour

DLR Coastal - West

Blackrock
Booterstown
Monkstown

West Dublin

Castleknock
Blanchardstown
Clonsilla
Carpenterstown

Not sure if we cover your area? We often accommodate nearby neighbourhoods.

How We Match Your Family with the Right Nanny

With Watershed Care services, finding the right nanny isn’t just about filling a role, it’s about ensuring we match you with someone who feels like an extension of your family. Our selection, matching and onboarding process is rigorous, detailed, structured and further personalised for your children's needs, so you can feel completely confident about who is coming into your home.

We directly employ your nanny, handling recruitment, vetting, contracts and ongoing supervision, so you get safe, consistent care at home.

Step 1 – First Enquiry & Suitability Check

You can contact us by phone or online enquiry. We start with a short, no-obligation call to understand your family, your children and the type of support you need.

We confirm key details like hours, location, budget, school runs, pets and any non-negotiables (for example driving, additional needs, dietry needs, language).

This helps us check that Watershed is the right fit before asking you for any further commitment.

Step 2 – In-Depth Family Consultation

Next, we arrange a more detailed consultation via video call or home visit, depending on what suits you best.

We explore your children’s personalities, routines, any additional needs, your parenting style, house rules and what “good care” looks like in your home.

This allows us to move beyond a simple job description and really understand the person who will work best with your family.

Step 3 – Family Profile & Role Design

From that conversation, we create an internal Family & Care

Profile which includes:

Your weekly schedule and required hours
Day-to-day duties and responsibilities in your home
Required skills, qualifications and experience
Preferences around values, culture, language, pets and lifestyle

This profile is used by our management and care teams so that everyone involved understands exactly what your family needs and what your home child carer’s role will involve.

Step 4 – Selecting the Right Carer from Our Team

Behind the scenes, we identify the best-suited member of the Watershed team for your family, based on your Family & Role Profile.

We only ever place carers who are employed by Watershed, not freelancers or agency temps. Where we need to expand our team to meet very specific needs, we use the same strict hiring standards we apply across the organisation.

The key point for you: no one is introduced to your family until we are confident enough in them to employ and stand over their work.

Step 5 – Vetting, Garda Checks & Formal Onboarding

Before any carer is assigned to a family, they must complete our structured onboarding process, which includes:

In-depth interviews and competency checks
Confirming work history and speaking with previous employers/families
Garda vetting and right-to-work verification
Verifying childcare, first aid and relevant qualifications
Induction into Watershed’s safeguarding, confidentiality and data-protection policies

All mandatory checks are completed before your carer is matched to your home, so you know the person arriving at your door has already passed our standards.

Step 6 – Introduction to Your Named Carer & Trial Time

Once we have identified the right Watershed employee for your family, we formally introduce them as your named home child carer.

You’ll receive a clear summary of their experience, training and background, and we will arrange an introduction via video or in person.

Where possible, we recommend a paid trial or settling-in sessions so your children can meet their carer in a relaxed way and you can see how everyone connects in real life.

Step 7 – Service Agreement, Care Plan & Start Date

When you are happy to proceed, we confirm:

Your service agreement with Watershed
Your carer’s agreed schedule, duties and boundaries
A simple written care plan covering routines, communication preferences and any specific needs

Watershed remains the employer at all times, we handle contracts, payroll, insurance and performance management.

You receive consistent, structured care in your home, with clear expectations on both sides from day one.

Step 8 – Supervision, Reviews & Ongoing Support

Our support continues after your carer starts. We check in with you and your carer during the settling-in period and at agreed review points to make sure the arrangement is working for everyone.

If your needs change, we can update the care plan, provide extra training or supervision, or, if required, reassign staff. Our priority is your child’s safety, stability and wellbeing, backed by ongoing supervision and quality assurance from the Watershed team.

Not sure where to start or prefer to speak to someone? Call us or send a quick enquiry and we’ll guide you through the process. No pressure, no obligation, we’re here to listen, provide clear advice and help you explore your options tailored to your family.

Pricing & Availability

We’ll give you a clear hourly rate based on schedule, location and care needs, no joining fee. Minimum booking applies for ad-hoc sessions. Tell us your ideal times and we’ll confirm availability.

Why Families Choose Us

Trusted Child care That Puts Your Family First

Personalised to your family: Care plans shaped around your schedule, routines and your child’s needs.
Safety-first carers: Garda-vetted, insured, reference-checked; paediatric first aid, safeguarding awareness, manual handling and infection control training.
Home convenience: Care in your home or chosen location, no drop-offs, no disruption, familiar routines.
Fully managed: We handle matching, contracts, payroll and onboarding, so you don’t have to.
Consistency & cover: Regular carers with backup options when needed.
Flexible & transparent: One-off, term-time or full-time support with clear, upfront fees.

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Join Our Team of Childcare Professionals

All roles are employed positions with Watershed Care Services Ireland, subject to Garda Vetting, reference checks, and role-specific experience requirements. We offer flexible roles across Dublin, up to 32 days annual leave including bank holidays and a supportive office team.

Open roles

Experienced Nannies & Childcare Practitioners (Full-Time / Part-Time)
Night Nannies/Overnight Childcare Specialists
After School Care & School Pick-Up Professionals
Evening & Weekend Nannies
Maternity Nurses/Postnatal Care Specialists
Special Needs Support Workers
Event Childcare Specialists

Why work with Watershed

Competitive pay & benefits
Flexible scheduling (days/evenings/weekends)
Ongoing training & professional development
Supportive team and reliable placements
Equal opportunity employer

What you’ll need (minimum)

2 years’ minimum experience in childcare or family support
FETAC/QQI Level 5 in Early Learning & Care/ECCE (or equivalent), QQI Level 6 preferred for lead roles.
Strong references and right to work in Ireland

Required checks & training offered

Garda Vetting (eVetting) before starting (legal requirement for relevant work with children).
Children First e-learning certificate (Tusla/HSE), renewed every 3 years.
Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) training aligned to HSE/AMRIC guidance.
Manual handling training where duties involve risk
Paediatric First Aid
Food Safety Training

How the process works (3 steps)

Apply online: share CV, availability, locations, and documents.
Screen & meet: right-to-work, eVetting, interview, Children First/IPC, references.
Start placements: we match you to families.

FAQs for Families: In-Home Childcare in Dublin

Quick answers on bookings, vetting, pricing and service areas.

How do you vet your child care professionals?

We match families with Garda-vetted, insured, reference-checked carers who are paediatric first-aid trained. You’ll get a clear summary of checks before placement and ongoing quality check-ins once care starts.

What are your prices and minimum booking?

Transparent hourly rates based on role (nanny, babysitter, after-school) and location. You’ll receive a written quote before booking. We have no joining fee and no hidden charges.

Which Dublin areas do you cover and how soon can we start?

We cover D4, D6, D14, D18, Dún Laoghaire to Rathdown coastal and North County Dublin (e.g., Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Donabate/Portrane, Rush, Lusk). Start is often possible within a few days, depending on your schedule and match.

Working with Watershed: What You Need to Know

Requirements, vetting, training, pay and how to apply.

What are the minimum requirements to work with you?

Typically 2 years’ childcare experience, strong references, Garda vetting (or eligibility), paediatric first-aid, Children First e-learning, and right to work in Ireland. QQI Level 5 (or equivalent) or QQI Level 6 for lead roles.

How does the hiring process work?

Apply online → screening & interview → vetting/training → matching and start. You indicate your preferred areas (e.g., D4, D6, D14, D18, Fingal) and availability (days/evenings/weekends). Our office team will support with scheduling and placements.

What training and support do you provide?

Ongoing CPD (paediatric first-aid refreshers, Children First updates, infection prevention), guidance on documentation, and a supportive office team. We provide clear policies, paid (where applicable) placements, and feedback loops so you can grow your skills and hours.