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 more creches plan to withdraw from the Government’s Core Funding scheme.
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.
Meanwhile, the Government will publish an action plan on childcare costs before Christmas.
It is expected to outline how it intends to get the costs to €200 per month per child, as committed to in the Programme for Government.
It's also expected to include immediate actions to reduce prices.
Children's Minister Norma Foley says this will be followed by a second phase.
She said the second phase will include public consultation, including inputs on what the €200 "will mean for different services".
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