Kildare Braces For Childcare Price Surge As Parents Fear They May Have To Quit Work

Thursday, 4 December 2025 12:07

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

Some parents are now concerned that they may have to quit their jobs as fees will become unsustainable.

Local parents have been warned that more creches throughout the county will increase fees in the new year as a mass exodus of creches withdraw from the Government’s Core Funding scheme on 1st March 2026.

Just this week, Kfm News reported how parents of children who attend a Newbridge creche have been told to prepare for major childcare price increases next spring after Play and Learn Childcare and Education became the latest provider to withdraw from the scheme.

Some parents are now concerned that they may have to quit their jobs as fees will become unsustainable.

Under the current funding model, Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, says newly opened childcare services can charge up to €354 per week for full-time care - or €295 for 40–49 hours - and still qualify for the full Core Funding allocation.

In contrast, long-established providers operating under the older fee structure are tied to much lower weekly rates: €243.30 for wobblers and €233.37 for toddlers and preschoolers.

The letter notes these fees are significantly below what newer services are allowed to charge.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Dunne said parents and providers need to work together and channel frustration at Government level.

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