The importance of good quality childcare

 

I have two girls in primary school, work as a Councillor and am also running in the General Election for Fine Gael, so my days, like most parents, are very busy.

 

The extension of the free preschool programme, starting this September, means that parents can now benefit from two years of preschool education. It is estimated that this will increase the number of children receiving free pre-school to over 127,000 in any given year – benefitting many families around the country.

 

Children will also be able to enrol in pre-school at three different points in the year – September, January and April – so that they can begin shortly after they reach three-years-of-age. This also gives more flexibility to parents.

 

Similarly, the introduction of two weeks paternity benefit, paid at a rate of €230 per week, benefits 10,000 families. This also goes someway towards evening out the playing pitch and acknowledging the important role fathers have in their children’s lives. And is something I wish had been in place when I had my two girls! 

 

Balancing work commitments whilst trying to ‘have a life’ isalso a constant juggle, and, like other Mums, I feel guilty a lot of the time.

 

Yes, I know it is my choice to work, but like most of my generation we bought our first home at an inflated price which means both my husband and I have to work; but I do hope I’m a good role model for my girls as well.

 

When it comes to childcare, knowing my kids are well cared for while I’m at work is a great comfort. I rely on family to help me out a lot of the time, but since they started school, I am delighted that my girls can take part in activities afterschool - it’s great to see them having fun with their friends in a safe environment.

 

However, I would like to see more childcare providers being attached to primary schools. As our kids grow up, their needs change and they want to participate in afterschool activities, something that can be hard for working parents to manage.

 

Increasing on-site afterschool clubs in schools would be a massive help to parents of school-going children, and this is something I want to help bring about.

 

I have a full understanding of the barriers, cost and lack of flexibility in childcare and I would like to play my part in making relevant change - very few parents work 9-5 nowadays.

 

Cllr. Maria Bailey has been selected by Fine Gael to run with Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. in the up-coming General Election. She has represented the Killiney/Ballybrack ward since 2004, when at only 27-years-old she was elected on her first attempt. Her family home is in Killiney and she went to school in Our Lady of Good Counsel N.S. Johnstown before attending Sion Hill and St. Joseph’s of Cluny.