Supportive management and coworkers but the Tús scheme can be limiting
Pros
Worked here as part of the Tús programme. The coworkers were lovely and the office environment was generally positive and welcoming. There was flexibility in the type of work I could do, and I was eventually able to move into more marketing/design-related tasks, which was valuable experience and helpful for my CV. The role itself was very manageable and would suit someone looking for their first experience in an office environment.
Cons
My main criticism is more with the structure of the Tús scheme than with Childminding Ireland directly. At times it could feel difficult to fully feel like a “real” employee while on a government placement scheme, and some of the support originally discussed with Employability (another government scheme) around CV-building and interview preparation didn’t fully materialise in practice. I also think some other Tús participants hoped these placements might naturally lead to upward employment afterwards, when in reality charity organisations like Childminding Ireland are usually working within limited budgets and hire only when specific roles are available. Overall, the experience was positive on a day-to-day level because of the people and environment, but if your priority is finding paid employment, it is important to be realistic about what these schemes can and cannot offer.
