The Irish childcare struggle: How families face three-year waiting lists, full creches and a lack of ‘baby rooms’

Less than 35pc of areas across the country currently have creche places available Waiting lists for creche places across the country range from six months to more than three yearsHalf of services surveyed do not provide baby rooms, leaving parents with limited options when it comes to sourcing childcare for children under the age of 12 months Nearly a third of parents (30pc) are forced to pay full-time fees due to a lack of half-day fee options being offered, even if they do not need the full hours

Karen Clince, owner of Tigers Childcare. Photo: Conor McCabe

Maeve McTaggart and Cian Ó Broin

Parents around the country could be waiting more than three years for a creche place for their child, with less than 35pc of areas nationwide currently having places available.

The Irish Independent conducted a nationwide survey of 220 creches to get a feel for the pressures both parents and the creche sector are under when it comes to childcare.