Seven creches looking after vulnerable toddlers in some of the most disadvantaged parts of Cork City could be facing closure.
Up to 225 children, aged one to three years, attend these early years community creches and the staff also provide wider support to their families.
Many of these parents have experienced homelessness, addiction or mental health problems. Nearly half, or 44% of these children, live in one-parent families.
However, due to changes to childcare regulations, these creches are being told to hire more staff — but the extra staff won’t be directly funded.
The Cork Early Years Alliance creches say their existing budgets cannot stretch to “having three qualified childcare workers for every child under three”.
The creches affected include Togher Family Centre; An Cliabhan in Ballyphehane; the Traveller Visibility Group creche at Shandon; Baile Beag in Mayfield; Glenfields Childcare in Ballyvolane; Mahon Community Development Project; and Before 5 creche in Churchfield.
According to Niamh Sheridan of the Cork Early Years Alliance and Togher Family Centre, many of these children attend their creches as they are unable to find places in others.
Read the full article on The Irish Examiner
