Popular Cork creche won't reopen until next year, leaving 100 families without childcare

New operators of Before 5 family centre on Churchfield Hill on the northside of Cork City said necessary maintenance works to delay reopening of creche

Family members and their children turned out to protest over the closure of the Before 5 Family Centre and Creche in Churchfield, Cork last month. Picture: Dan Linehan

A popular creche in Cork City will not reopen before next year, it has been confirmed, leaving some 100 families without childcare and 14 staff without jobs.

Staff at the Before 5 family centre on Churchfield Hill on the northside of Cork City were informed by text last month that the centre would not reopen.

Many staff at the creche, described as "the heartbeat of the community", had worked there for more than 20 years. The centre on was founded almost 50 years ago as a community resource and has become a fulcrum of support for local families.

Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) was to take over running the childcare facility, in a building owned by the local Catholic diocese.

But it has now been confirmed that due to necessary survey works and subsequent maintenance works on the building "it will be at least 2024 before the service will be in a position to open".

"We have engaged a project management company and we are in the process of appointing consultants to carry out a condition survey of the building to identify any upgrade works needed to allow the building to open," the NCE said in a statement.

"This is necessary to address maintenance items and to improve certain aspects of fire safety, so that we can fully meet all compliance obligations under building regulations, fire safety regulations and Tusla regulations.

It is expected that the report on the condition survey will be completed in October 2023. We will then have a full understanding of the scope of works that need to be completed to allow us to open for the community.

The NEC said it was envisaged the works would be extensive, but it would know more once the condition survey report is finished. It will be at least 2024 before the service will be in a position to open.

"We would ask for your patience and understanding at this time and rest assured we are working as hard as possible to get the service open as quickly as possible. In preparation for the opening of the childcare service we will be holding an open recruitment process, further details will be circulated but again this will be in 2024.

"Once we have definite opening dates for the childcare service, we will then explore the operation of adult education classes, school-aged childcare, play therapy and other services that would be of benefit to the community."

The NCE urged parents/guardians to register their interest in attending the centre with Cork City Childcare by phoning 021 4310500 or emailing [e-mail].

"We understand some families are looking for childcare immediately and we would ask that you would reach out to Cork City Childcare who will do their utmost to support you to find alternative childcare. 

"Once we have more information, we will continue to keep you updated. Again, we would like to thank you for all your support and patience during this process,” the statement added.

Staff 'a bit shocked'

Christine Mullins, who has worked at Before 5 for 12 years, said staff were “a bit shocked” by the news but understood that work had to be done by new childcare providers.

Staff and parents are now “in limbo” as they wait for an update on a possible reopening date next year, she said.

“They said that it won’t open before next year, but will that be in January or September? We don’t know. Next September is nearly 12 months away.

“We’re a bit shocked but we also had an idea that things like building maintenance may need to be done,” Ms Mullins said.

“At least we know something is being done.

“We appreciate that regulations have to be followed and standards have to be met, particularly in a childcare facility.” 

Parents whose children were due to attend Before 5 are also concerned, she said, with some parents whose children with additional needs had been allocated AIMs [Access and Inclusion model disability supports] through Before 5 is now unable to access that support.

“We’re in limbo now again. We know that a lot of work has to be done and we understand how important it is to comply with regulations," Ms Mullins said.

“After the survey is complete we should get a better idea of a timeframe for reopening.”