The Ipsos Mori poll questioned a representative sample of 1,024 people in Northern Ireland about childcare services.
It found a significant number of parents had struggled to find childcare during the past three years. Unsurprisingly, the problem was more acute for parents living in rural areas, where 43 per cent reported difficulties in finding childcare. The survey also found parents valued quality of childcare over convenience and cost. Overall, parents put quality before knowing the person providing the care. However, parents from working-class backgrounds put knowing the person ahead of quality.
Bridget Nodder, director of the NICMA, said: "It is heartening to see that parents really value quality. However, we're concerned at the evidence that many families are facing problems finding childcare."
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