Following the new year reopening of schools across the country following the Christmas break, new research shows more than half of parents struggle with the practicalities of the school run, with early afternoon collections forcing one in four to reduce their working hours.
Parents of children in primary school were surveyed with the results highlighting the vital role of school aged care beyond the classroom and the importance of the National Childcare Scheme in supporting before school, after school and school holiday provision.
The research was commissioned by Sherpa Kids, Ireland’s leading provider of school-aged childcare, and conducted by 89 Degrees East.
According to the research, 56% of parents with primary school-aged children report it is not easy to pick up from the end of the school day. 26% manage this challenge by reducing their working hours.
Other key findings of the research show that 40% of parents argue about school drop off and pick up responsibilities, causing daily stress in Irish families.
With Irish primary schools closed for between 14 and 16 weeks per year, 63% of parents rely on school holiday programmes. While 83% of parents agree that expanding the existing childcare subsidies would make a big difference to support working parents.
School aged care, often known as breakfast clubs and homework or afterschool clubs, are an increasingly important service for families in Ireland. The research confirms school aged care is not only an important social service but is also an economic necessity, allowing working parents to return to and stay in work full time.
