National research into childcare services on behalf of Early Childhood Ireland, including a survey of all ECI members, collation and analysis of results for use in budgetary submissions and the framing of the new childcare support model by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The results of the research have formed part of the DCYA’s deliberations regarding the new childcare payment scheme.
Project details
- Extensive research into the cost of running a childcare service in Ireland
- Preparation and distribution of a detailed survey to over 1,000 childcare services in Ireland
- Collation and analysis of 596 responses, including community and privately-owned childcare facilities, as well as childminders
- Identifying average costs of running a childcare business based on several scenarios, including rural and urban, community and private, 38 weeks, 39-45 weeks, 46-49 weeks and 50+ weeks
- Develop operational models for each of the above childcare services, identifying the breakeven point for a sample model in each category
- Provision of 10 recommendations for childcare sector
- Presentation of findings and conclusions in a detailed final report, published as ‘Doing the Sums: The real cost of providing childcare’
- Presentation of findings at a public launch, including to the Minister with overall responsibility for the Department for Children and Youth Affairs
