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?