A LESSON TO US ALL: The University of Limerick sees access to childcare as a key equality issue for staff and students

Latchkey kids who have to come home to empty houses while their parents work are increasingly common. So here's an idea whose time has come.

Milford National School in Limerick has become the first in the country to boast an after-school childcare programme. Its after-school club caters for 40 children and has been developed by the school in partnership with the University of Limerick, which sees access to childcare as a key equality issue for staff and students.

Officially opened by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell last month, the after-school programme is resourced by the school, the university and the National Childcare Development Plan 2000-2006, which funded the €0.25 million purpose-built facility. Services also include a breakfast club, lunchtime drop-in facility and summer camp.

Children receive breakfast from 8 a.m. and in the afternoon, they get a full dinner, before going home at 6 p.m. University students and staff have first call on a proportion of the after-school childcare places, with the remainder available to parents of children attending Milford National School.

The facility was constructed at a cost of €251,000 through a grant from the Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. A team of three core staff, augmented by visiting teachers, provides a range of classes and activities including speech and drama classes, supervised homework, arts and crafts and French classes.

This facility is also open during school holidays to facilitate the needs of working parents, an idea that, ideally, should be replicated around the State. Local employers of all kinds - not just those attatched to education - could become involved.