CHILDMINDERS organisation NICMA is calling on the Executive to address the acute shortage of childminders in Tyrone after a single mother who lives in Cabragh was forced to give up her job due to lack of childcare.
Theresa McCaughey, who has two children, Odhran (8) and Jordan (5), is now setting up herself as a registered childminder.
"My sister, who is also a childminder, had been looking after my kids, but then she moved away from Cabragh," Theresa explained.
"There were simply no other registered childminders with available places in this area, and I was forced to quit my job about eighteen months ago.
"It's been pretty tough financially, but I also find it really embarrassing and demoralising being on income support. It's not what I want for myself or my children.
"That's why I'm looking forward so much to being able to get myself back into work through childminding. And, of course, this move will solve my childcare problems."
SERIOUS SHORTAGE IN TYRONE
NICMA director Bridget Nodder says there is a serious shortage of registered childminders in Tyrone.
"This problem is replicated in many parts of Northern Ireland – too few individuals are starting up careers as childminders and too many drop out within the first year of registration.
"Moreover, in many rural districts with scattered populations, like Cabragh, childminders are the only viable childcare option.
"This is an issue which must be tackled urgently by the Northern Ireland Executive.
NICMA is currently lobbying Executive ministers to provide the funding for a special Start-Up Package of grant aid and mentoring support for new childminders.
The proposed package has been designed to tackle two specific problems – the fact that many new childminders find the official registration process a daunting one, and the fact that many potential childminders are put off by the expense involved in starting up in business.
If implemented, NICMA calculates it would cost just £300,000 annually for each of the next three years.
"We're pleased to say we've already received a positive response," says Bridget. "But we would ask anyone who's concerned about the issue of childcare to write to their local MLA to urge their support for this proposal."
