A major childcare crisis has emerged in Tuam after Happily Ever After, a crèche serving 97 children from 72 families, confirmed it will close on October 31. The decision follows the refusal by the landlord, Tuam Parish, to carry out long-promised fire safety works. The closure threatens parents’ jobs and leaves 19 staff facing unemployment.
Tuam Parish said the upgrades, estimated at €1.2 million, were beyond its financial capacity. In a statement, it noted the “age of the building” and said the works “far outweighed the capacity of the limited parish finances”.
“Throughout this process, the Parish Finance Committee has been dedicated to finding a workable solution and has been proactive in its approach.
“In this regard, more than €20,000 has been expended by the Parish, which included the appointment of a project manager and the engagement of a fire safety consultant and an electrical consultant engineer. Additionally, several meetings were held with the crèche operators, and a tender process was duly conducted,” it said.
“Accordingly, after careful consideration of all possible options, the Parish Finance Committee has had to make the difficult decision not to proceed with the upgrade works on the building.
“We share and understand the considerable disappointment of the Crèche Operators and, especially, the families who currently avail of the Crèche services.”
Parents forced out of work
Parents warn that many will be forced out of work. Megan Flaherty, a public health nurse and mother of four children attending the crèche, said, “We are absolutely heartbroken that Happily Ever After will be closing on October 31. This will have a profound impact on our family, as four of our children will be attending the creche. As a full-time Public Health Nurse with no alternative childcare, I will have no option but to give up the career I love.”
Grainne Ní Loideain, whose twins attend, said, “This news is heartbreaking for our family. Our twins Éala and Rían have had the most incredible experience with everyone at the crèche over the past few years. They see the staff and their little friends as family.
“The crèche has been a pivotal part of their development.”
Laura Murphy said, “My family is absolutely heartbroken at the news that Happily Ever After will be closing its doors. My three-year-old is currently without a place for her preschool education, and I have nowhere to send my 18-month-old, which will result in me having to give up my job in the next three weeks, as there is no other childcare available in the town of Tuam.”
Emotional toll
For others, the emotional toll is severe. Alisha Garvey said, “To say the closure of Happily Ever After is heartbreaking is an understatement.” She added that without childcare, she does not know if she can return to work.
Saoirse Kelly said, “The closure of Happily Ever After has caused complete devastation in our home. Our son has attended since 2019… He is sick with worry about losing all he has ever known.”
Jamie Maughan said, “The news of the closure has brought immense upset and stress to us, and if it is not resolved, I will have no option but to leave my job as a mental health support worker to care for my daughter. Happily Ever After is a second home for my daughter.”
Lynne Gilmore said, “Without access to this childcare, I would be forced to leave my employment, which provides essential income for our family of five.”
Bhanu Pratap and Priya Ranjan said their daughter is “absolutely terrified and worried” and that the crèche was “a second home to her.”
Devastating decision
Owners Sara Walsh and Claire McGrath said, “We are absolutely devastated. Two years ago, our Landlords contractually agreed to complete these works and renewed our Lease. For two years, we have operated in good faith, caring for the children of Tuam while waiting patiently for the works to be completed. To be informed now that they will not be proceeding has left us, our families, and our staff in an impossible position.
“We have poured our hearts and souls into this facility for seven years. We have weathered Covid, staff shortages, and every challenge that came our way because we believed in what we were doing. These children call this place their second home. Our staff are family. And now, through no fault of our own, we are being forced to close our doors.”
