A better-funded childcare system in the Republic of Ireland is causing problems for playgroups and childcare providers along the Fermanagh Border.

Parents are opting to send their children across the Border for less money.

Michelle McGrory, who has worked in Newtownbutler Cross-Community Playgroup for over 20 years, has seen that shift.

READ MORE: Irvinestown childcare provider on navigating cost challenges

“I know in the Border towns, a lot of people are finding it hard because the new system has come into the South and they have preschool provision, with more hours for less money, the likes of us and Rosslea are losing them to the south.

“Parents are getting more hours for less money, some will apply to us and the South then wait to see if they will get into the South,” she explains.
 

READ MORE: Fermanagh child care manager losing sleep over price increase

This is just one of the problems facing an already under pressure sector where staff are everything: “from HR to the cleaner”.

Funding is an issue right across the board and the story is no different in Newtownbuter.

READ MORE: Fermanagh pre school reduces places to manage staff costs

“We don’t get enough money, we are expected to do everything, look after the children, do the observations, do the paperwork, the grant funding, the maintenance of the building, absolutely everything.

“The Education Authority only give us so much per child, what can happen is someone could start in September and then drop out and go to reception, and the EA then take the funding off you. That is really hard for us to budget.”

READ MORE: EA funding not covering wages in Fermanagh playgroup

She is concerned about the stability of the sector and described the pressures facing education and childcare providers in Fermanagh as “horrendous”. 

“Everything is so tight down to the last penny, there is no sustainability in it”.

She adds: “In the last year or two, places have closed. The minimum wage is going up, but the education money [funding] is not up. We are still getting the same funding when the wages were £10.”

READ MORE: Fermanagh childcare facility admits 'risk of closure'

Another issue is losing staff to other sectors where wages are better.

“They say leaders need a level five or degree qualification but they are not giving the wages to reflect that. While you can go in as a classroom assistant with no qualification and get more money than a leader in a playgroup," she says.