A significant Dublin-based childcare group is in talks with private equity to fund its expansion. The upcoming deal is hot on the heels of London firm Fremman’s acquisition of Tigers Childcare.
Despite recent targeted upgrades of the Early Years Platform underpinning subsidised childcare payments, internal Pobal records reveal the legacy system remains hampered by performance issues.
Three quarters of the children placed in residential care in Ireland live in commercial accommodation. Investors have entered this growing industry, where inspections of the largest owners’ children’s homes show a mixed record.
After a year of hesitation, the Government can no longer claim it’s finding its feet. With housing, childcare, disability and infrastructure still stuck in first gear, 2026 will be the year we find out what it’s really capable of.
Karen Clince has grown Tigers Childcare from an after-school club for 12 children to a €12m turnover. She talks about the reality of international expansion and the optimism and resilience needed to come through the pandemic.
As our data mapping analysis shows, regional policy around childcare could be a lot stronger
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