Irish Daily Mail

PARENTS TO SUFFER A‘LACK OF CHOICE’

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MARY MAGEE, the owner of the Red Door Montessori in Trim, Co. Meath, said she feared the closure of many Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services would leave parents with little choice in childcare providers. She caters for ten children in an extension to her home and has funding for one staff member to help provide assistance for children. The ECCE funding she receives makes no allowance for the rising cost of living, including insurance and energy bills, or paperwork. ‘If we lose these ECCE providers, lots of parents will have no choice in where they send their children. Many like the small providers. They suit many children, especially a child who may not deal well with a bigger, noisier environmen­t.’ Another childcare provider broke down as she told of the heartbreak she felt in preparing to close her creche. The Dubliner, who has not yet spoken to the parents and children who attend her home-based service, said she will run the creche at a

By Helen Bruce and Sharon Mc Gowan loss next year, so her clients are not left high and dry.

The childcare graduate explained that she received ECCE funding for her service, which takes around 20 children a year, with three-hour sessions morning and afternoon.

She said: ‘I have lost the enjoyment of working with children, which I used to get from their ‘It has totally defeated me’ great excitement, their fabulous little faces, brimming with curiosity, so alive and energetic. That has been overtaken by paperwork, ticking boxes and inspection­s. It has totally defeated me.’

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman last night said the Government was ‘committed’ to addressing childcare challenges.

The Green Party minister said that a €221million core funding scheme will go towards reforming the sector.

 ?? ?? Fears: Mary Magee says parents like the small providers
Fears: Mary Magee says parents like the small providers

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