The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Young families fearful childminding crisis in village threatens jobs
Desperate parents are calling for cash and support to solve an “unprecedented childcare crisis” in their community.
Two of Ullapool’s four childminders will retire this year, a huge blow to the Wester Ross village which has a population of around 1,500.
Many parents said the childcare shortage has made life hard. Some are having trouble finding work or returning to existing jobs.
Childcare Action Group members wrote to MSP Maree Todd, previously the minister for young people and childcare, asking for help.
They asked her to help find funding for out-ofschool care and give residents incentives to become childminders.
The group outlined resources that used to be available and those that are struggling.
A Care and Learning Alliance after-school club closed when funding dried up during the first lockdown last year.
Parents believe that if the facility gets support from Highland Council or another source, it may be able to reopen.
They also hope to add “wraparound” childcare at the primary school, or make use of the nursery to offer care for younger children.
Perhaps most urgent is the retirement this year of two of Ullapool’s four childminders, leaving parents to find new solutions for the 18 children who were in their care.
Dawn Slaughter, a spokesperson for the action group, said Ms Todd’s office replied and offered to speak to the parents directly.
Of the 40 families that responded to a survey, 29 said they would be affected by the childminders’ retirement.
Others said they would use before or after-school wraparound services if they were available.
Almost half said they would use both.
Many parents worry about having to pass on promotions, turn down job opportunities or miss out on higher learning if they can’t find childcare.
Expectant mum Jocelyn Napier works two parttime jobs while studying for a master’s in psychology. Without childcare, she said she will no longer be able to work.
“My husband works away which means childcare rests solely on my shoulders,” she said.
“The loss of childcare provisions both at school age and pre-nursery will mean that I would have to give up both of my jobs.”
She hoped either Highland Council or Ms Todd’s office could help.
Ms Napier added: “It seems a shame that there are a lot of incentives to encourage mothers back to work after having children and then the thing that stands in their way is lack of childcare.”
Local father Andrew Hayton has also made career decisions based on childcare. He said: “My career has suffered due to lack of childcare provision as I have been offered promotions in the past which I have turned down as it would take me away from the area and I’d not be able to help with our kids.”
Mr Hayton added that he realised childcare was expensive and suggested opening a daycare centre partially funded by Highland Council would help.
A council spokeswoman said: “There is no statutory requirement for the
Highland Council to provide out of school care for pre and primary-age children, although where there is sufficient demand to make that sustainable, it is provided.”
And despite earlier efforts, calls for locals to take up childminding have struggled for support.
“A previous recruitment campaign for childminders in the Ullapool are was unfortunately unsuccessful,” the spokeswoman said.
“Childminding provision in Ullapool, as in other areas in rural Highland, is very challenging.”
The spokeswoman added council officials were still working to commission childminders in the region.
A flyer sent by the school told anyone interested to contact a family resource co-ordinator and ELC commissioner.
“I have turned down promotions in the past as it would take me away and I’d not be able to help with kids