SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has encouraged parents in Derry to respond to a new survey about childcare services in Northern Ireland, delivered by the Department of Education as part of its review into childcare and early years.
Said the Foyle MLA: “It is vitally important that as many parents, carers and childcare providers as possible respond to this survey which will inform the review of childcare services in Northern Ireland.
“The experiences of parents and providers will be crucial in shaping changes to childcare going forward and I believe that the Department needs to hear the scale of the challenges facing parents and providers in accessing services as well as in ensuring their sustainability.
“I have been concerned for some time now that the Department lacks ambition in tackling the crisis faced by parents who are struggling to afford childcare, many of whom are scraping by in order to afford these vital services.
“My own research found that only 4% of parents in Derry found childcare to be affordable while 60% said that a lack of access had resulted in them reducing their hours in work.
“This is an economic issue as the extortionate prices of childcare push more and more parents out of the workforce and into poverty.
“We cannot allow it to continue.
“Although I am gravely concerned about the slow rate of progress made by the Department on this issue, I do believe we should engage in this review and make it clear to the Department that they must bring together all the relevant parts of our childcare sector to design bold solutions that will deliver for families and providers.”
You can part in the survey here: tinyurl.com/mrc7dskp
