Menu
16/01/2015
Childcare Costs Increase For NI
The cost of full-time childcare in Northern Ireland has increased from the previous year's figures, it has been revealed.
New research by charity Employers for Childcare, found the average cost of full-time childcare for one child is £162 a week in NI.
This is an increase of 2.5% from the previous year.
Some 4,500 parents were interviewed for the study, which said that 60% of families in the region are struggling to meet the costs of childcare. Almost a third (27%) said that childcare is their largest outgoing. For other parents, they have actually had to reduce their working hours in order to keep costs down.
According to the feedback received from parents, the average childcare costs in Northern Ireland vary depending on nursery, childminding or breakfast club places. For example, a full-time day nursery place costs £156 a week, while a full-time childminding place at £167 per week. Elsewhere, an after-school club is said to be £83 per week, while a spot at breakfast club will cost parents £30 a week. Summer schemes were also included in the research, coming in at an average of £121 per week.
Commenting ahead of today's launch of the report, Mairaid McMahon, Director of Charity Services, Employers for Childcare, said: "The rising cost of childcare is having serious effects on local families, with many parents making financial sacrifices just to make ends meet. We've heard from parents who are reducing their hours, or leaving work altogether, due to the high cost of childcare, as well as 22% of respondents who are relying on loans or credit cards to pay their childcare bills.
"We've been publishing these annual surveys now for five years and, despite all of our best efforts, almost half of all respondents are still not sure as to whether they are getting all of the help to which they are entitled with their childcare costs. That's why today we are calling on our devolved institutions to take some urgent action to help local parents navigate this increasingly complex, and expensive, system."
(JP/CD)
New research by charity Employers for Childcare, found the average cost of full-time childcare for one child is £162 a week in NI.
This is an increase of 2.5% from the previous year.
Some 4,500 parents were interviewed for the study, which said that 60% of families in the region are struggling to meet the costs of childcare. Almost a third (27%) said that childcare is their largest outgoing. For other parents, they have actually had to reduce their working hours in order to keep costs down.
According to the feedback received from parents, the average childcare costs in Northern Ireland vary depending on nursery, childminding or breakfast club places. For example, a full-time day nursery place costs £156 a week, while a full-time childminding place at £167 per week. Elsewhere, an after-school club is said to be £83 per week, while a spot at breakfast club will cost parents £30 a week. Summer schemes were also included in the research, coming in at an average of £121 per week.
Commenting ahead of today's launch of the report, Mairaid McMahon, Director of Charity Services, Employers for Childcare, said: "The rising cost of childcare is having serious effects on local families, with many parents making financial sacrifices just to make ends meet. We've heard from parents who are reducing their hours, or leaving work altogether, due to the high cost of childcare, as well as 22% of respondents who are relying on loans or credit cards to pay their childcare bills.
"We've been publishing these annual surveys now for five years and, despite all of our best efforts, almost half of all respondents are still not sure as to whether they are getting all of the help to which they are entitled with their childcare costs. That's why today we are calling on our devolved institutions to take some urgent action to help local parents navigate this increasingly complex, and expensive, system."
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 November 2021
NI Faces Childcare Crisis That Could Impact Parent's Ability To Work
Northern Ireland could be facing a childcare crisis which would have a severe impact on parents' ability to work, the Employers for Childcare (EfC) charity has warned.
NI Faces Childcare Crisis That Could Impact Parent's Ability To Work
Northern Ireland could be facing a childcare crisis which would have a severe impact on parents' ability to work, the Employers for Childcare (EfC) charity has warned.
17 January 2015
Childcare Costs Rise By 2.5%
The cost of full-time childcare in Northern Ireland has increased from the previous year's figures, it has been revealed. New research by charity Employers for Childcare, found the average cost of full-time childcare for one child is £162 a week in NI. This is an increase of 2.5% from the previous year.
Childcare Costs Rise By 2.5%
The cost of full-time childcare in Northern Ireland has increased from the previous year's figures, it has been revealed. New research by charity Employers for Childcare, found the average cost of full-time childcare for one child is £162 a week in NI. This is an increase of 2.5% from the previous year.
28 September 2011
Hundreds More Childminder Places Sought
NI's Childminding Association (NICMA) has launched a report today that proposes the creation of an additional 900 childminding places annually over the next four years. The proposal, which was launched at Stormont's Parliament Buildings, is part of a package of measures that NICMA is urging the Northern Ireland Executive to adopt.
Hundreds More Childminder Places Sought
NI's Childminding Association (NICMA) has launched a report today that proposes the creation of an additional 900 childminding places annually over the next four years. The proposal, which was launched at Stormont's Parliament Buildings, is part of a package of measures that NICMA is urging the Northern Ireland Executive to adopt.
19 May 2008
Minding Kids Is No Childsplay
Many families seeking childcare in Northern Ireland are finding the search difficult, according to a major new survey on childcare commissioned by NICMA - the Childminding Association.
Minding Kids Is No Childsplay
Many families seeking childcare in Northern Ireland are finding the search difficult, according to a major new survey on childcare commissioned by NICMA - the Childminding Association.
19 June 2019
Families Under Strain This Summer As Childcare Costs Rise
Many parents are set for an "extremely difficult" summer due to increasing childcare costs, a report has found. The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is £166 per week, equating to over one third of median household incomes, the charity Employers for Childcare has found.
Families Under Strain This Summer As Childcare Costs Rise
Many parents are set for an "extremely difficult" summer due to increasing childcare costs, a report has found. The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is £166 per week, equating to over one third of median household incomes, the charity Employers for Childcare has found.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
