What’s New

A major new “affordability of childcare” scheme is being brought to Cabinet tomorrow, amid growing concern about the barriers to mothers getting back to work. Ireland is now the most expensive country in the world for childcare, along with the

THE GOVERNMENT IS being warned that introducing tax incentives to make childcare more affordable will not increase the quality of the service provided, and that further investment is needed. Cabinet is expected to discuss a new ‘affordability of childcare’ scheme

The Government is facing revolt by the country’s 25,000 childcare workers over demands that they continually upskill while forced to exist on poverty pay. A national rally is being staged on February 17 and the sector has warned there are

Start Strong has welcomed the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly’s recent statement, that he will not introduce tax credits as a way of reducing the high cost of ‘childcare’ for parents. Start Strong is a coalition of

Toddlers are just like the rest of us — they don’t always listen. In fact, at their age they need you to teach them how to pay attention. “But what often happens,” says Roni Leiderman, associate dean of the Family

Why toddlers run away No sooner do you lift your toddler out of the car, set him down on the footpath and turn to wrestle his buggy out of the boot of the car than he suddenly darts away. When

Our resident parent coach, Marian Byrne, outlines her services for you here on ChildcareFinder.ie. Marian Says, “My parenting seminars and programmes have been developed in response to what I have found to have made the most difference to parents in

MyChildcare.ie is now called ChildcareFinder.ie. All MyChildcare.ie visitors are automatically directed to our new website ChildcareFinder.ie – so you don’t miss out! New Features Include: High Google ranking for you advert so parents will find you More intelligent searching so parents in neighboring areas will

Effective Communication – (Seek first to Understand) Amidst all the books there are on parenting, one of the best titles I have come across is ‘How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk’. This book,

“The rules for parents are but three… love, limit, and let them be” Elaine M. Ward Last month I mentioned research that highlights how the nature of our interaction with our children can often be more negative than positive. Eight

“Your children need your presence more than your presents.” (Jesse Jackson) What wise words and a great reminder at this time of uncertainty and unrest. Priorities have changed and this may or may not mean a change in the time

As August comes to an end, attention for a lot of parents turns to the begining of a new school year. Each year is important whether they are starting creche, playschool, school, new class, secondary, exam years, college etc….. They

Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go. Herman Hesse ‘Ahh…….’ When working with groups of parents, this is nearly always the first response I hear when I put up a picture of

There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. (Walt Streightiff) This is not meant to take the place of the fabulous range of resources that are available to answer specific

Children need our love – especially when they don’t deserve it! June brings the school year to and end and so the summer begins. (We live in hope anyway!) Are you looking forward to it or are you dreading it?

A temper tantrum is the emotional equivalent of a summer storm — sudden and sometimes fierce. One minute you and your child are in a restaurant enjoying your dinner, the next minute he’s whimpering, whining, and then screaming at the

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you” – Robert Fulghum Life as a parent is busy. I am, therefore, guessing that I do not need to use some of the time you

Do all babies experience separation anxiety? Yes, to a degree. At certain stages, most babies or toddlers will show true anxiety and be upset at the prospect — or reality — of being separated from a parent. If you think

The thought of sharing Mammy and Daddy with a baby brother or sister can be unsettling for a young child. After all, your little one has had your full attention for some time now. He is sure to have mixed

Most parents accept and even expect fatigue when caring for infants. However, when sleep problems persist into the preschool and school age years, strategies can be used to help your child (and you as parents) get a better night’s sleep.

Do you often find yourself preparing two or three different menus at mealtime to appease the desires of a fussy eater? Mealtime should be a pleasant family time and a positive learning environment for all family members. If you find

Sometimes, good preparation, faithfully following the 7 P’s of Toilet Training plan, and even intensive toilet training are not enough to accomplish full continence in young children. Such times do call for a different, more serious approach. One of the best