Creche attendance down among eight in 10 providers

THE number of children attending playgroups and crèches has dropped in almost eight in 10 pre-school services, according to a new survey by the Irish Preschool Play Association (IPPA).

The main reason for the reduction in numbers is the decision by more than four in 10 parents to wait for a free preschool place under a new Government scheme due to start next January.

The online survey, published yesterday, also found that of 500 IPPA members surveyed, 30% blamed job losses among parents for the fall-off and 23% said it was because parents could no longer afford childcare.