SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has said that the scale of the cost-of-living crisis is likely threatening more and more childcare providers in the North.
It follows reports from Great Britain of nurseries being forced to close at short notice due to challenges in recruitment and the cost-of-living crisis.
Said Ms McLaughlin: “The childcare sector is facing an unprecedented crisis as energy costs and recruitment challenges lead to more providers struggling to keep their doors open and providing the support that families across the North need.
“Last November, the challenges facing childcare providers in Northern Ireland were highlighted with many reporting that they were struggling to cope and these challenges will have undoubtedly worsened over the past number of months as the cost-of-living crisis deepened.
“It’s long past time that childcare is recognised as an essential piece of our economic and social infrastructure and as a political priority by the Executive parties.
“Particularly in a city with the highest level of economic inactivity in the North, childcare providers are vital in affording parents the ability to work full-time, raising household incomes and allowing everyone, particularly women, to pursue their chosen careers.
“Yet despite the value of the sector, it has never been treated as a priority, leading to the current crisis where parents are paying huge amounts, often as much as their mortgage on childcare every month, yet providers are struggling to cope.
“It’s ridiculous that the sector is crying out for support, yet Stormont is in paralysis and the government at Westminster is too dysfunctional to put a plan in place.
“We need to see a Childcare Strategy with accompanying investment if we are to ensure financial sustainability for childcare providers and ensure that all parents across the North have access to the level of childcare support that the need.”
