Relief for Wicklow parents as more creche places come onstream

Little Harvard creche, in Glenheron estate, is now open to new applicants, while a second creche will come onstream shortly in nearby Archers Wood estate.

This was a stipulation of planning, following a submission by Greystones Councillor Lourda Scott to have childcare facilities provided as part of the new development.

Cllr Scott has highlighted the considerable population growth in Greystones, with the number of houses being built increasing significantly over the last number of years. Many of those moving into these houses are young couples with children. However, there has not been a commensurate increase in childcare places, so the opening of two new creches will be well received by the local community.

Welcoming the developments, Cllr Scott said: “When talking to local families, I am frequently asked about childcare places, with parents expressing concern and frustration with the shortage in available resources.

"Greystones has experienced a population increase and this has fed into increased demand for childcare facilities. The necessary infrastructure is starting to catch up but families have been living with uncertainty for too long.”

Noting that Green Party initiatives have reduced average childcare fees by 25pc under changes to the National Childcare Scheme, Cllr Scott added: “Availability remains a huge issue locally. I lobbied successfully to get the crèche included in the Archers Wood plans. However, it is disappointing that the planning condition to have this building completed by the end of phase 1 of construction was not upheld.

"This is leaving parents in a very difficult and frustrating situation. Going forward, it is vitally important that housing developments, and town planning in general, consider the needs of families, be those childcare places, school places or recreation facililties.

"As a mother of young children myself, I fully appreciate the challenges families can face in Greystones and these issues will continue to be high on my priority list as we head into a new election term,” she concluded.