Pilot Childminding Service at the WIFT Summit 2026

Pilot Childminding Service at the WIFT Summit 2026

Pilot Childminding Service at the WIFT Summit 2026
Overview:

Raising Films Ireland, in partnership with the National Talent Academies, is excited to introduce a pilot Childminding Link Service at the WIFT Summit 2026. As a pilot scheme, the service will be limited. As such, we can offer childminders to 6 families at a time.

The service will be offered Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, Saturday 7th February 2026 and childminding will take place in a dedicated room in the Woodlands House Hotel.

This initiative is part of our shared commitment to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and accessible screen industry in Ireland. We recognise the barriers parents and guardians face when participating in industry events and festivals, and this service aims to support their equal involvement in the creative community.

Who It Is For:

  • Industry professionals attending the WIFT Summit who require short term, flexible childcare

  • Industry professionals attending events within the Woodlands House Hotel hotel with children between 6 months and 13 years.

Support Offered:

  • Short-Term Childminding: Flexible care options during key festival hours to support attendance at panels, meetings, and events.

  • Qualified Professionals: Care provided by trained, vetted childminders in a safe and stimulating environment. One childminder will be provided per family through a professional childcare provider. Please note that the contract will be between the minder and the parent, with Raising Films Ireland and the National Talent Academies providing the point of contact. 

  • Central Location: Childminding space located conveniently in the Woodlands House Hotel - please note parents/guardians will be required to be accessible for the duration of the service. If you are staying in the Woodlands House Hotel and would like your child/ren to be minded in your room this can be accommodated.

  • Free service: As a pilot programme, we will be offering this limited service free of charge on a first come first served basis. 

Aims of the Initiative:

  • Accessibility: To reduce childcare-related barriers to participation in the WIFT Summit for parents and guardians working or engaging with the screen industry.

  • Inclusivity: To create a welcoming and supportive environment that recognises parents’ and guardians’ caring responsibilities, and to raise awareness around balancing life and work. 

  • Wellbeing & Sustainability: To contribute to a healthier, more balanced industry by supporting professionals with caring responsibilities, helping to retain talent across all levels of the sector.

Important Notes:

Nappies/wipes etc must be provided by the Parents/Guardians.

Parents/Guardians must remain accessible and contactable at all times.

Naps: Please indicate on the form how your child naps, e.g. buggy, travel cot, as you may be required to provide your own. Travel cots will depend on the availability of the hotel. Buggy naps will require the child’s buggy to be provided. Buggy/travel cot must be provided if your child requires a nap or walk during the day. 

Drop off and pick up times must be adhered to; we cannot facilitate last minute changes to schedules.

Service will be provided 9am-5pm each day

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL A SLOT
If you require babysitting outside of these hours, we are happy to provide you with contact information for the service company we are using and/or the hotel’s local babysitters. Please note we cannot book babysitters for you outside of these hours. Babysitting will be at a cost to the parents/guardians. It is your responsibility to organise and pay for babysitting.  If you require childcare outside these hours, please contact your childminder directly and make arrangements separately.

Participant Profile: 

The Childminding link service is aimed at industry professionals who are attending WIFT Summit events in the Woodlands House Hotel and need short term flexible childcare on-site for children aged between 6 months and 13 years.  

Registration Procedure:

Please register online at HERE

The application form will close on 30th January at 5pm 2026. Unfortunately, we cannot organise childcare for you after this cut off point. 

For technical difficulties and all other queries with the online system, please email childcareraisingfilmsireland@gmail.com

The programme is open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

Selection Process: 

The booking system will be available on a first come first served basis