BALANCING work, finances and childcare commitments is a challenge that many parents face day and daily in Fermanagh.

For Lisbellaw couple Richard and Natasha Dane finding a childminder in their area, as well as being able to afford the high cost, has proven difficult. 

At present, their eldest girls Maisie and Libby attend an after-school club, while Natasha looks after her three-year-old Edwin, with help from a childminder, and five-month-old Corvin at home.

For the Danes, life can be hectic, especially when Richard, a dairy farmer, is out on the farm, and Natasha, a self-employed business owner, has urgent tasks that need sorting. 

But like countless other parents in Fermanagh, who are juggling children, life and trying to earn a living, they have no choice but to make it work. 

"Childcare is our biggest expense, and we are spending a lot more than both the mortgage and car payment combined," Natasha says. "Availability of childcare is a big issue here in Lisbellaw/Tempo. There are a few childminders around Tempo, but also a lot of families too.

"It was a few years before we were able to get a place. We found that when places came up, they were filled by siblings of children already at the childminder."

Natasha says she would like to work more hours, but finds both the cost and availability of childcare to be a major challenge.

"I run a family business which supplies the museum and heritage industry," she continues. "However, I have had to cut my hours because I can't get, or afford, more childcare.

"If it was available and if it was cheaper, I could put my son my son in for more hours. It would mean I could do more within the family business, but at present, this isn't an option."

She adds that, as a mother, she often feels conflicted about the best approach to childcare - an internal struggle that is shared by working mums everywhere.

"Childminders offer a fantastic service that really helps, but there's always that guilt that you are missing out on those milestones. A childminder is never going to replace you as a parent.

"Sometimes you feel that you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Is it best to give them the opportunities because you are working, or would it be best to be at home with them?

And while she stresses that she isn't critical about what childminders charge, she does feel that the government should be doing more to help working families.

"I don't expect childminders to do what they do for less money," she adds. "I would rather pay more and know that my son is being looked after properly.

"However, I don't agree with this situation where there's no financial help being provided for either us as parents, or to the childminders as providers. 

"The system, as a whole, needs to be changed to support working families."