Lynda Butler 37-year-old, mother of one living in Artane, Dublin. She works in the community and voluntary sector. Her daughter is 18-months old and has attended crèche full-time since she was 10 months old. This is the first in a four-part series of letters addressed to new Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, on the future of childcare in Ireland. This morning we hear from a parent of a young child.
When I initially spoke to the crèche, I wanted a place for my daughter for four days per week as my job agreed that I could take one day per week for parental leave. This was initially something the crèche offered but when I went to pay the deposit I was told they were no longer in a position to offer part-time places and I would have to take the place for the full week.
This is a crazy situation and the cost of childcare should not be something that would stop someone from having another child. The reality, however, for a lot of people is that it is just not feasible. Thankfully, I quickly saw how well she was cared for and how much she was learning from the amazing staff at her crèche. I honestly cannot stress how much I value the staff that care for and educate my daughter. I just wish that our Government would do the same.