Fees concern over free preschool year

CHILDCARE organisations have expressed concern that creches in the wider Dublin region will be unable to provide the free preschool year to parents as the fee to be paid by the Government won’t cover their rent and rates.

Latest figures show that five out of six creches and preschools around the country have agreed to take part in the scheme but the Office for the Minister for Children (OMC) has not provided figures for geographic breakdown to the National Creche and Nurseries Association (NCNA), despite a request from it. The free preschool year is due to begin in January.

NCNA director of services Theresa Heaney said she has written a “strongly worded letter” to the OMC warning Children’s Minister Barry Andrews he is in danger of dividing the sector if he continues to give “preferential treatment” to those offering sessional services and also requesting another geographic breakdown.