Survey Of Parents In Kildare Reveals 64% On Childcare Waiting List

Friday, 12 June 2026 14:15

By Daniel Maher

The survey had 74 respondents in Naas and surrounding areas

A survey of 89 local residents has found that 64% of parents on a waiting list for childcare services for their children.

Carried out by Caitlin Craig, she said it was "borne out of the difficulties I was having" in securing childcare.

It details that the respondents have encountered issues with securing childcare for preschool and after school places.

The majority of respondents were living in Naas (76.4%), with others in Sallins (6.7%), Kill, Newbridge, Clane and Kill.

58.7% said they had no childcare secured, while 24% had, and 13.4% only partially secured.

Parents outlined various effects it was having on them, with 67% saying it would cause stress and uncertainty, 59.6% saying it would cause financial pressure and 57.3% saying they can't return to work as planned.

Of the 89 respondents, 57 were on a waiting list.

Ms Craig recently moved back home from Abu Dhabi with her partner and three kids in April.

Speaking on Kildare Today, she said that she has experienced difficulties in securing childcare for her kids:

"We actually put our two children onto the list before we left, and we've been gone three years and we still had significant difficulties trying to secure childcare for them."

"Additionally to that, we had a school-aged child and we couldn't get her a school place at all, luckily we did in the end, but it was through a lot of trials and tribulations."

She also added that she has lobbied local public representatives and says "we're no further along" with the childcare situation in the country, despite "some engagement".

"I've been told that they've been bringing it to the Dáil and they've been highlighting it that way, but there's nothing further that is a tangible action to relieve this crisis."

The full interview can be heard below: