Over 90% of parents in Shannon say there aren’t enough childcare facilities in their area.
A new report has found that some residents in the area have been languishing on childcare waiting lists for as long as four years.
The Shannon Community Partnership conducted the Shannon Town Childcare Survey to assess the demand for, pressure and issues affecting services in the region.
Approximately 143 people responded to the survey, with 93% stating there wasn’t enough childcare services available.
The average time spent on a childcare waiting list in Shannon is currently 6 to 12 months, however 8 respondents reported waiting times of 2 years or more, while the longest waiting time was over 4 years.
The report also showed that Shannon Town has a unique childcare need with the lone parent ratio being 6% above the national average.
Several respondents also reported cost barriers with 28% saying they weren’t availing of childcare because it was too expensive and one in four saying there were no suitable options.
Eleven service providers also contributed to the report and just six said they could see their operations continuing for the foreseeable future.
And you can hear more on this on Clare FM’s Morning Focus this Monday morning from 9am.
