Parents trying to find creche places for children who have yet to be born
In the first four weeks of this year, five childcare businesses closed in Cork. That is in addition to four in Meath, two in Dublin, and one in Wicklow.
That is according to the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, which has warned the situation will only worsen unless the Government takes action.
Chairperson Elaine Dunne said rural providers would take the brunt of closures, with these areas less likely to see new businesses opening.
In the first four weeks of this year, five childcare businesses closed in Cork. That is in addition to four in Meath, two in Dublin, and one in Wicklow.
Between 2021 and 2022, Cork lost 28 creche facilities, while more than 15 closed last year.
Ms Dunne said the sector was “imploding”, while some service providers have had to turn to fundraising in order to keep their doors open.
The lack of childcare places is putting families under stress as planning for childcare begins during pregnancy.
Averil Sheehan of Care-a-Lot Childcare in Upton, Co Cork, said parents were frantically emailing creches each week hoping for an opening on a waiting list.
In the past two months, Ms Sheehan has had to turn away 268 parents seeking a place for their child as her creche is full until June 2027.
“The last baby place I am after giving away to a parent and the baby isn’t even born yet,” she told Cork 96FM’s .
“People are really, really struggling. I am the only childcare centre from Ballincollig, Bishopstown, Carrigaline, and Kinsale to Bandon that offers a baby room.”
According to Ms Sheehan, a large number of childcare providers have moved away from providing baby rooms due to lack of funding and support.
The current ratio is one carer to three babies, she said. This is why she only offers three places in her baby room, making it quite difficult for parents to get a slot.
With parents unable to find a place for their children, some have turned to unregistered childminders. Ms Sheehan said some parents were paying out up to €70 for these minders because they have no alternative.
If she were forced to close Care-A-Lot Childcare, it would leave 80 families without care for their children and nowhere to turn.
Ms Sheehan has raised her concerns with the department and has also spoken with Roderic O’Gorman numerous times in the past year and a half.
She said she made him aware of the number of parents on her waiting list to give him a clear understanding of the current crisis faced by parents and providers.
Ms Sheehan said the sector was not seeing action being taken as quickly as is needed to address the issue, and as a result, more businesses would close.
She is continuing to put pressure on the Government to act, saying she will not go down without a fight.
“I am not standing back and seeing a business that I have put blood, sweat, and tears into just die in front of my eyes.”
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