What childcare sector needs is funding

The Government does not need to set up any quangos to solve the problems besetting the Irish childcare sector — it just needs to offer more financial support, according to one creche owner.

Stephen Carthy owns Mellowes Childcare and Adventure Centre in Athboy, Co Meath. He’s been in business since 2004 but in 2008 as the economy collapsed, he saw full-time figures collapse from 64 to six. Business has recovered since but not to anywhere near the level it was. Parents, he says, are under huge financial pressure and there’s no way fees can be increased to offset rising oil, electricity, and tax costs.

Set on an acre of land, Mellowes is also home to an adventure centre complete with bouncy castle and bouncy slide, pedal go-carts, a pets corner, and mini golf. The creche children get to enjoy all the features of the adventure centre.