Kildare County Childcare Committee were very happy to have our recommendations taken on board regarding childcare in the county.

We welcome several elements of the plan, including the requirement of building childcare facilities in the first phase of housing developments (15.5.2). Would it be possible to also include making reasonable efforts to fit out and rent or sell the premises to a childcare provider in a timely/ affordable fashion?

Or in an ideal world that the local authority or another public body would manage the building for community use including supporting community childcare provision.. this would then allow for changing community use over time.

In terms of dual use (ch 15.5.2) .. this could be difficult in rooms used for childcare during the day, there may need to be general meeting rooms or similar included in buildings for this purpose.

We also welcome the inclusion of outdoor based childcare services in the plan (SC 080), these could be additional to indoor services as it may be a niche as well as general local service.

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Good work to the team in Kildare County Council who have worked so hard to produce this draft plan.

With Kind Regards

Kildare County Childcare Committee.