In east Belfast, a mother-of-three named Michelle Martin faced a difficult decision to temporarily halt her career due to the high costs of childcare. As a special needs classroom assistant, Michelle found that the expenses for childcare surpassed her salary, leading her to take a career break. Reflecting on the past, Michelle highlighted that the cost of nursery for her older children in 2017 and 2018 was £45 per day, whereas now she is encountering prices ranging from £70-80 per day for a single child, in addition to wraparound care.
Upon calculating the figures, Michelle realized that their monthly childcare bill would amount to approximately £2,000, surpassing her monthly earnings. Expressing her disappointment, she mentioned, “I have trained very hard to be in the position that I’m in…having to make that decision to come out wasn’t easy.” Michelle emphasized that the inadequate pay from the education board for special needs classroom assistants, coupled with the escalating childcare costs, has had a significant negative impact.
Despite receiving a 15% subsidy amounting to about £400 per month, the subsidy falls short compared to their total monthly childcare expenses. Michelle expressed her desire to return to work for the sake of her mental health, professional connections, and the fulfillment of her lifelong goal in the field. Despite her aspirations, economic inactivity poses a major challenge for the Northern Ireland economy, with individuals being forced to exit the workforce due to various reasons, including high childcare costs.
Rebecca Harper, co-founder of the Melted Parents campaign group, highlighted the alarming trend of skilled individuals, predominantly women such as doctors and nurses, leaving the workforce due to childcare expenses. She noted the increasing financial burden faced by families in Northern Ireland, with childcare providers raising prices to offset the impact of rising National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage. Rebecca emphasized the necessity of addressing the exorbitant childcare costs, as they play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce and ensuring the sustainability of the economy
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