Working just doesn't pay the bills

I AM concerned about the availability of after-school childcare. I am a single mother who works full-time and my daughter attends Montessori school. She will be starting primary school in September and will finish at 1pm daily.

The majority of Montessori schools in my surrounding area do not take school children for after-care those that do charge €7 an hour. If this is my only option, I will be paying €192.50 a week for part-time care.

I earn €19,500 annually and the majority of my income goes to paying my daughter's fees. I have rung everywhere to see if there is any available aftercare service and it appears that there is not, nor am I entitled to any allowance for her because I am earning too much.