Some creches remain closed as owners left ‘in a total vacuum’
A NEW ROSS creche owner says she would have reopened on Monday to meet the demand of parents in the area but the government had failed to provide the necessary supports for her to be able to do so.
Niamh FitzGibbon of Abú Montessori, said: ‘ We are not opening on Monday with Phase III. We don’t usually open in the summer as we’re one of three ECCE creches, meaning we’re open from September to June. What a lot of people don’t understand is that my school is privately owned. The ECCE scheme was pulled in March even though we are supposed to be funded until June.’
The scheme was moved to a different platform on Thursday, a move Niamh welcomed. Also any creche owner who decides not to reopen until September can apply for capital and reopening grants that are available to those opening on Monday.
Estimating her loss in income at €20,000 (around half her annual wage), Niamh said one third of the creche’s annual state funding disappeared with the stroke of a pen.
Hoping to reopen in the autumn, Niamh said the usual capacity of her montessori will fall by around one third.
‘We have had so little consultation. Some people are taking out loans to reopen which is crazy because we are already owed money from the ECCE scheme.’
Like many creche owners in the district and further afield, Niamh’s phone has been hopping with requests for confirmation that she is reopening, as normal, in late August. ‘ We are very worried that when it comes to September and everyone else will be going back to school we will be lost. Schools can plan for September because they’re being funded. We are trying to but we’re operating in a total vacuum.’
Describing the situation as ‘a huge stress’, Niamh said she has more children returning to her this September (providing she can open) than are leaving to go on to primary school.
‘People held onto their kids this year. For kids aged four and a half, if parents are 50/50 as to whether or not to have them go into junior infants, they’re now mostly deciding to keep them in creche, probably for social and emotional reasons. Play is so important. It helps children process stuff, more than academic learning. It’s a great way for them to understand the world and what they are going through. Through play, they are doing really deep neurological stuff.’
Expressing deep frustration with the lack of supports for the sector and for parents and children, Niamh said she is concerned she will only receive a detailed notification of funding in early August. ‘It’s not fair for families. I am getting calls from people who are looking for places. We are trying to prepare for September but there is very little we can do.’
Working in a montessori that has been educating New Ross area children since 1975, (previously through her mother Breda), Niamh said she is now considering going private as she can’t rely on the government anymore.
‘For the past decade, virtually no one has paid a penny putting their child in this creche. There is a perception that childcare is the price of a mortgage; but we are one of three playschools that are 100 per cent government funded. We are operating in direct conflict with the black market. You had 400,000 people unemployed and now with jobs coming back on stream people need childcare. But they have no garda vetting, no inspections and no regulations. Some family members are minding children and that’s fine.’
‘I’m done! With subsidising what is supposed to be a free scheme! I am done with filling the gaps for what the government is not properly funding There are guidelines but there needs to be funding.’
She said they recommend additional staff and space, questioning how this can be funded.
‘We have strict pricing laid down by government. I would open today (Monday) if they funded the ECCE scheme for the summer.’
She said for many children Covid-19 has been an amazing time to spend quality time with their parents and siblings, but for others it has been a lonely, emotionally challenging time.
Carol Leavy runs Little Acorns creche in Rosbercon which would normally be open this week and for around four weeks of the summer.
She said: ‘As you know childcare facilities are allowed to reopen on Monday, June 29, however as far as I am aware many are not reopening due to reduced numbers of children taking up places. Services will not be in a position to reopen if the uptake of places is not sufficient to cover outgoings. I will be reopening in September at which time the risks will, hopefully, be less and I can learn from the experiences of services that have reopened.’ To facilitate reopening the outgoing minister, Katherine Zappone, made funding available to help with increased costs and allow the purchasing of outdoor play equipment. This is a welcome move, Carol said.
‘If children can play outside, as much as the weather allows, it is hoped to reduce the spread of the virus. Conditions for reopening are still not clear; children will have to stay in play pods, parents will not be allowed in, but the finer details have yet to be published. I hope we can return to providing safe, quality childcare as it is vital for the health and wellbeing of our children.’