39% of Dublin parents say crèches represent poor value for money.
A survey conducted this month by consumer website SaveAFewBob.ie has revealed that two in five Dublin parents believe that their crèche represents poor value for money.
The research, which was conducted by internet research company Monitrack, took place earlier this month and was conducted among a sample of 86 crèche users across Dublin.
The results show that two in five parents feel that their crèches represent poor value.
With one in four respondents paying more than €1,000 per child per month and almost three in four paying more than €750 per child per month, for many of these families the monthly crèche costs are the equivalent of paying a second mortgage.
One mother with two children attending a crèche stated “It makes no financial sense…I’m basically working full time to pay for our crèche costs”, while another commented “I don’t believe the business is fleecing us or turning a huge profit but better government subsidies are required”.
Although many of those interviewed found that crèche costs put them under severe financial pressure, the report found that most parents were not willing to compromise on price when it came to selecting the most suitable crèche for their child. The cost of sending their child to a crèche came well down the list when choosing a crèche. The most important factors which parents cited were location, their impression of staff and the quality of facilities.
See ranking below:
1. Location
2. Impression of staff
3. Facilities
4. Opening hours
5. Ratio of carers to children
6. Cost
7. Provision of meals/nappies
8. Other
Another interesting finding was that 22% of parents have managed to negotiate a discount with their crèche due to the current economic difficulties.
The survey found that the overall level of satisfaction with Dublin crèches was quite high with 93% of respondents stating that they would recommend their crèche to a friend.
Of those who had concerns the most notable were a lack of flexibility with regard to having children attending on a part-time basis and having to pay for the crèche even when the child was not attending. Turnover of staff was also a major concern.
The Crèche Survey is provided by Monitrack, an Internet research specialist. Monitrack provides Internet, Intranet and Email research solutions, together with national online and offline research methods to the Irish market.
Tags: children, family, survey results
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Personally - I’m a big fan of having a nanny or a child minder.
The creche’s are so impersonal and expensive when compared to having someone look after your children - either in their own home setting or else having someone come into your house to take care of them there (and perhaps do a bit of housework too if they can !).
D.
I currently have a mix of creche and childminding. Mornings in the creche and afternoons at home in our house with a minder - it is working out a bit more expensive than full time creche but we are very happy with it .
It’s so subjective but I think the social aspect of a creche is great and they make great friends. In my imaginary world I would have a Mary Poppins who the children would love and a cook and a cleaner and while I think of it ….not have to work….but that’s not going to happen anytime soon methinks! Re Damien’s comment re creche’s being impersonal that isn’t my experience at all.
It never fails to disappoint how surveys are reported. Typical focus on the negative which in this case is the minority.
Why isn’t the survey focusing on the positive responses which is the majority, after all over 60% believe their creches represent good value for money but then there wouldn’t be as much of a story if focusing on the positive.
By the way I do not have any association to any creche.
Thanks Adi for yur comment.
In this case for an expense as significant as creche costs, we believe that 60% of respondents getting value for money is NOT good enough.
SaveAFewBob.ie aims for our reporting to be fair and representative of where consumers have financial concerns. The reality is that creche costs are too high and are a major cause of financial strain for many families especially in this climate.
Note that we have commented that “the overall level of satisfaction with creches is high and that 93% of people would recommend to a friend”.
Those same 93% are not satisfied that they are receiving value for money.
Creches are expensive, the government should offer some sort of tax relief, this would help alot!
As a hardworking member of the female workforce, am outraged at the punitive level of creche costs, which means for many women it is not viable to return to work after a second child. Most of us did not go to College and work our way up the corporate ladder only to be forced to retire in our mid thirties just when we have achieved seniority and a decent salary.
I have a suggestion though: NAMA, which will now be one of the largest property developers in the Sate, could provide subsidised accommodation to creche owners, on the condition that these decreased costs be passed on to end consumers. This would alleviate financial hardship for couples and increase spending power elsewhere, thus helping to keep the economy afloat.
Anyone else think this is a good idea???
Cost further north to the Capital are calculated according to Numbers enrolled, activities offered, rents, insurance, rates,fire regulation checks, heating and lighting. Constant repair to keep the facility in tip top condition according to HSE. As a qualified N.S teacher who followed my dream to persue early childhood education it is everything I dreamed of but with high running costs a few tax breaks and subsidies would be warmly welcomed and that for sure would keep costs down.
My child is in a fabulous home from home creche and the fee is €790 a month in north county dublin. It is excellent value for money and my child gets great meals every day and I don’t have to wonder if the minder is doing her ironing, or having coffee with her friends etc. i know because creches are regluated the minder in her room is doing nothing but playing and looking after the other children. You may get a child minder for cheaper but are they on the floor all day long playing games with your child? And what kind of meals are they getting every day?
Shop around and pick a creche that is homely and not too big. I would not send my child anywhere else
I agree with Garry. Tax relief on creche frees should be available. I also think the Early Childcare allowance should have only been given to parents with children in ‘childcare’ it would have made more sense, mabye then it wouldn’t have been scrapped. My creche fees are over €1060 for my 6mth old baby. It is alot but so far (3 weeks in) I am very happy with the level of care he is getting.