Childcare - parents want the freedom the choose

THE Irish/Examiner Lansdowne Market Research study of childcare in Ireland challenges many assumptions about the issue of childcare and parents’ priorities in Ireland today.

Full-time childcare by a parent is still the most common arrangement for Irish families - with over 50% in this situation. The level of dependence on other family members, especially grandparents is striking: four in 10 families where both parents work full-time depend on the broader family network.

The high level of full-time parenting has had an impact on female participation in the workforce. Only 25% remain in full-time jobs after the birth of children, a similar number of mothers change to part-time employment and four in 10 give up work fully. Why is this? Are these women being driven from the workforce due to the cost of childcare?

The evidence is mixed. Two in three parents believe full-time parental care is the ideal option for their children, rising to over eight in 10 among those who are full-time parents. But economic factors also play a part in this decision, four in 10 parents (who both work) have considered giving up work due to the expense of childcare and over half think they will have to quit work if they have more children.

The desire of parents for choice in deciding their childcare and working status emerges strongly from the study. Regardless of current childcare arrangements, there is scant opposition to the notion of tax relief for childcare costs, or for payments to parents who look after children at home. Parents want policies to facilitate choices - the views of working parents and those who choose to stay at home are similar. What are the study’s lessons for the politicians?

Parents are disillusioned about the cost and availability of childcare options - only one in 10 believe the Government has adequately provided for childcare. Moreover, as an issue for deciding how to vote at the next election, childcare is firmly in the top three. When looking for votes, politicians would do well to remember that childcare is not an ‘easy fix’. An effective cocktail of policies is demanded - not only of those using crèche facilities or childminders - but also the large numbers who rely on family networks for childcare, as well as the majority who choose to stay at home.

The divide is not between parents who choose to stay at home and those who choose to work. Instead, there is a gap between the government, which wishes to maximise participation in the workforce and the majority of parents, who believe the ideal childcare arrangement is with parents in the home. Finding policies to strike a balance between these sets of priorities may be the biggest challenge of all for our politicians.

* Roger Jupp is managing director of Lansdowne Market Research.