A MAJOR Impartial Reporter investigation aims to shine a light on the soaring cost of childcare in Fermanagh. 

Ask any parent, and they will agree that childcare costs are astronomical, often surpassing the monthly cost of a mortgage.

According to statistics, shared with us by Employers for Childcare, 92 per cent of parents in Fermanagh report that there is “insufficient” provision of childcare in their area – the highest figure across Northern Ireland. 

Costs are also huge, and are placing a huge strain on Fermanagh families, who on average are paying £904 per month.

Some are paying as much as £2,000, leaving little left over for the other essentials of life. 

It is no surprise, then, that a stark 96 per cent of working parents report that childcare stress impacts their productivity at work. 

These aren’t just figures on a spreadsheet. These are real people; the hard-pressed mum and dad who worry about how they will make ends meet; the single mum who has had to reduce their hours; or the elderly family member who has had to take on some of the burden of childcare, on top of their own stresses.

As part of the investigation, which is available in print and online in this week's Impartial Reporter, numerous parents and childcare providers have shared their own stories on how the situation is impacting them. 

Some speak of the eye-watering monthly costs; others about how the situation is placing strain on their marriage; many talk of having to drastically scale back working, or quitting altogether. 

One mum, 20-year-old Erin Bell from Maguiresbridge, said that a lack of affordable childcare options is having a negative impact on her mental health.

"As a young single mum, I experience a lot of judgement from people, who think you are lazy for not working," she said.  "This isn't the case, and I feel that if childcare wasn't so expensive, so many more stay-at-home mums would be able to work and have careers."

For other mothers, childcare is simply unattainable. 

Belleek mum-of-two, Tracy McGlone, was forced to take a career break due to childcare places in the local area being "like gold dust".

"I was due to go back to work in January from maternity leave, but there was no childcare out there," she said. "The situation is the same for many, and it's not right. Accessible and affordable childcare in Belleek would be a dream come true for so many mums."

And childcare providers are also feeling the pinch, born from ever-increasing costs and a lack of government support. 

Karen Braund-Law, the manager of a childcare facility in Kesh has said if she had not raised her prices earlier this year, the service would be closed. She worries that it could still go that way. 

“Our biggest struggle is keeping the place afloat, making sure all the bills are paid, making sure staff are paid. Since Covid that has been the struggle," she said.