CHILDMINDERS looking after the children of NHS and other key workers will soon be forced to "fold up" due to continued financial hardship faced by delays in extra payments promised by the Executive.
Not a single payment has been made of grants announced last month of up to £125 per child for those "risking their health and that of their families" to provide the vital care which allows parents to keep working in hospitals and other essential services.
Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, CEO of Northern Ireland Childminding Association, said members in desperation have contacted them to say they are going to the wall and unable to cover basic household bills.
Childminders have been stopped from looking after most of their children due to the strict coronavirus lockdown restrictions, with exceptions only made for key workers as specified by the Department of Health.
Just 438 of the north's 2,800 childminders have any children in their care, and most have had reduced numbers to the point their work is no longer financially viable.
The Executive announced three weeks ago that it will make enhanced payments up to £500 a month to help meet overhead expenses.
However, it has yet to contact those affected.
"We are disappointed that ministers made this announcement three weeks ago and non of those childminders have seen the result yet," Ms Lewsley-Mooney said.
"They are putting their health at risk and their families' health at risk to help key workers.
"Their overheads are still the same but their income has dropped from £500-£750 a week to £70 or £140. They are saying they want to stay open for their key worker families, but they just can't afford it and need to look for other work."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said colleagues in the Department of Health had written to registered childcare providers yesterday, with childminders to be contacted next week.
She insisted efforts will be made to process applications "as quickly as possible" for the £12m package of measures for emergency childcare provision.
"The letter outlines the process for accessing support available to enable a number of registered daycare settings, school age childcare settings and childminders to remain open for vulnerable children and those of key workers. The letter also explains what support is available for settings which remain closed and are unable to reopen, helping to support the sustainability of the sector.
"Childcare providers and childminders who are eligible for financial assistance under the childcare provision scheme will receive an application form early next week.
"A high number of applications are expected and the aim is to process them as quickly as possible."
