A COALITION of charities lobbying government for affordable, accessible, high quality childcare are holding a campaign day today.
Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where there is no requirement on the government to ensure that childcare is affordable and accessible.
The family-friendly Childcare For All campaign day is being held at the Mencap Centre in south Belfast so that parents and children can get involved and have their voices heard.
Research from Employers For Childcare who help coordinate the campaign shows that every year childcare costs in Northern Ireland increase, with a full time childcare place currently taking up 40 per cent of the average household income.
The campaign’s other lead partner, the Women’s Resource and Development Agency, claim that lack of available childcare is the single biggest factor preventing women from returning to education and employment as well as driving the gender pay gap as women are forced into lower paid part time work by rising childcare costs.
The campaign was officially launched in the spring at Stormont with cross-party support and MLAs committing to work on developing a draft bill that could drive forward progress on childcare and early years education.
A number of MLAs and councillors from across the parties will be attending the event to answer parents' questions and hear their stories.
Major trade unions like Nipsa and Unison along with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, have also signed up to the campaign.
Women’s Sector Lobbyist Kellie Turtle said: "As the amount of free childcare available to families in England has now risen to a maximum of 30 hours per week for some eligible children, Northern Ireland is falling further behind".
"Parents of children with a disability can often find it more difficult than other families to access suitable and affordable childcare."
The event will take place between 10am and 12pm, with free activities for children and refreshments.
