Urgent funding is needed to address the crisis within the childcare sector as a result of COVID-19.
Last year, seven out of ten providers were either just breaking even or were making a loss.
The Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare is calling for urgent funding.
Ahead of a meeting of the All Party Group this week, Chris Lyttle, MLA – also Chair of Stormont’s Education Committee – has written to Ministers asking for the Northern Ireland Executive to reopen critical COVID-19 funding that was key in supporting the sector through the pandemic.
Without this funding, many providers are at risk of permanent closure, with significant impact on parents, on the economy and society more broadly.
Mr Lyttle said childcare providers say this is the most challenging time they have ever faced.
“This latest phase of the pandemic has had a further severe and detrimental impact. Stakeholders from across the childcare sector have reported growing numbers of closures and a sector in crisis.
“With more people again working from home, staff shortages, increased costs for PPE and cleaning materials and rising cases of COVID-19 across the community, many childcare providers are at breaking point. Without the reopening of vital crisis funding, it is inevitable more will be forced to close, while others may have no option but to increase fees to parents, who are also struggling,” he said.
The East Belfast MLA said as well as the associated job losses across the sector, this will have the knock-on effect of making it more difficult for parents to find the childcare they need to work.
“This will put even more pressure on employers at a time when many are already facing a staffing crisis due to COVID-19 sickness and isolation. Over 40% of the workforce in Northern Ireland are parents with dependent children – including teachers, doctors, nurses, retail staff, those working in hospitality and blue light emergency services. If they are unable to access the childcare they need, that will have a major impact on every aspect of life, for everyone, whether parents or not,” he added.
“COVID-19 pressures are creating immense financial difficulties for a sector that has stepped up and done an incredible job in supporting children and their families through these most challenging times, as well as facilitating workers, across all sectors, to continue in work, providing vital public services and contributing to the economy.”
Representatives of the childcare sector have been meeting regularly with policy-makers from the Departments of Health and Education as part of a Childcare Reference Group throughout the pandemic and to date, almost £40 million in funding support has been allocated.