Childcare Provision in Northern Ireland: Exploring the Mental Health Impact for Families and Providers

Childcare costs are a significant concern for families across the UK, with unique challenges faced by parents and providers in Northern Ireland (NI) (Curristan et al., 2023). A recent position paper highlighted for many families living in NI, there remains insufficient access to appropriate childcare and early years support, and the cost is too high (Equality Commissions for NI., 2024). In NI, the average cost of a full-time childcare place is approximately £10,036 per year (Childcare Survey NI, 2023). The average spend on childcare for families in NI is £9,360 per year, rising to £14,148 per year for families with one or more children under 5 who use formal childcare only (Childcare Survey NI, 2023).

Research indicates that rising childcare costs have far reaching impacts, affecting, parental employment decisions, financial stability, and overall well-being (Glass, Simon, & Andersson, 2016), while childcare providers contend with issues such as sustainability, staff retention and challenges around limited funding (Equality Commissions., 2024; Hart et al., 2023).

Given the critical role of childcare in supporting family well-being, economic stability, and child development (Equality Commissions., 2024), there is an urgent need for further research into the impacts for families and childcare providers. Little research has investigated the mental health impact of rising childcare costs for families and childcare providers in NI, despite its unique socio-political challenges. Understanding the impact of childcare expenses on both parents and childcare providers is essential to formulating effective policies that ensure accessible, high-quality care for all families.

A mixed methods approach will be used to explore the impacts of childcare costs (for families and childcare providers), with the following programme of planned research:

1. Systematic Review: Examining experiences and mental health outcomes associated with childcare costs (for families and childcare providers).

2. Large scale quantitative survey: Investigating the experiences and associated impacts of childcare costs for families and childcare providers living in NI.

3. Qualitative Interviews with families using childcare in NI

4. Qualitative focus groups with NI childcare providers

Please note:  Applicants with a 2:1 degree in Psychology (or close to completion) are strongly encouraged to apply.