Today Women’s Centre Derry hosted an Information session on Childcare costs as Northern Ireland still does not have a fully developed childcare strategy that enables women to access affordable and reliable childcare. This remains the first and most significant barrier facing many women who wish to return to work. Without childcare, re-entering the labour market is simply not an option.
It is unreasonable for government bodies to impose sanctions on benefits and penalise women for not seeking employment when there is no adequate childcare system in place to give them the freedom to choose how and where their children will be cared for while they work.
The Department of Education is currently developing a Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy, which aims to deliver more affordable, accessible, and high-quality childcare. However, even the draft strategy highlights serious areas of concern:
- Funding Constraints – Public funding is limited, and many proposals depend on securing additional financial resources.
- Provider Viability – Childcare providers face ongoing cost pressures. Ensuring fair pay and financial sustainability is critical if services are to remain open.
- Accessibility and Uptake – Parents must be fully aware of available subsidies and supports, and provision must reach every region, with flexibility to reflect varied working patterns.
- Workforce Capacity and Standards – A well-trained workforce is essential. Maintaining quality while expanding supply will be challenging, especially if regulatory changes impact staffing.
The consortium recognises that only a comprehensive, well-rounded childcare strategy will meet the needs of families, providers, and the wider economy. We continue to press for these concerns and challenges to be addressed head-on, so that childcare becomes a right, not a barrier, for women and families in Northern Ireland.
