‘Paying for childcare is like having a second mortgage’

A TYRONE woman who spent more than £140,000 on childcare has told a public meeting on the crisis engulfing the sector that it was like a second mortgage payment going out every month.

Roisin McAliskey, from Dungannon, was speaking at an information evening at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh last Thursday to address the various issues around childcare provision across the North.

The development manager at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was one of a number of speakers at the meeting, which was attended by local parents and childcare providers.

She said, “My journey with childcare was very expensive. Over the years, it was a second mortgage payment going out every month.

“Childcare was essential; me and my husband both worked, and we had no other option. We looked at it as an investment for our kids’ future, and it ensured that both of us could work.”

She said the implementation of affordable childcare was essential to driving the economy and ensuring more people did not have to give up working to look after their children.

The meeting was organised by West Tyrone MLA Nicola Brogan, who has been a prominent campaigner on the issue.

Other speakers included Aoife Hamilton, from Employers For Childcare, and Frances Love, of Giggles Early Years, a large childcare facility in Newry that looks after over 330 children.

They are all part of the All Party group at Stormont, which is lobbying for the implementation of a childcare strategy across the North and more investment in the sector.

The meeting heard that the sector is crying out for more investment from the government and the implementation of a long-overdue strategy to ensure affordable childcare is an option for all.

Among the many challenges facing the childcare sector is staff retention, the meeting heard. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses have lost staff due to falling wages in the sector.

‘BROKEN’

Also speaking at the event were a number of local childminders, both from larger businesses and small at-home businesses, who said the current benefits system used to support people finding it difficult to afford childcare was ‘broken’.

One of them said, “The current system of benefits surrounding childcare is broken and complicated. The Universal Credit System seems to be a deterrent and not something used to help people get support.

“Tax credits are also hugely flawed, and parents end up having to fit a bill they didn’t think was coming.”

Aoife Hamilton, of Employers for Childcare, said that more parents need to know what they are entitled to, even if that is not enough.

“Our Family Benefits Advice Service can provide free information and advice sessions in childcare settings to help parents understand what support is available with registered childcare costs,” she said.

“We can also support those childcare providers who employ staff to ensure their employees are claiming all the financial support they are entitled to.”

She added, “We know parents are juggling a hundred and one things: managing the school schedule; childcare; after-school activities; work deadlines and family commitments. Employers for Childcare is here to help.

“We can help ease some of the burdens on parents by offering personalised advice and guidance to ensure you and your family are getting the financial support they are entitled to.”